Transcranial brain stimulation is increasingly used to improve compromised and physiological cognitive functioning. Various forms of transcranial electric stimulation build on the neurophysiological effects of weak currents that are directed to brain areas to induce modulations of cortical activity. The anode-excitatory cathode-inhibitory (AeCi) physiological model of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is often expected to produce mirrored cognitive effects for stimulations of relevant cortical areas, e.g., prefrontal cortices. However, recent research indicates that cognitive performance can also be improved via cathodal tDCS. Nevertheless, considering that different cortical structures may interact with current flow in varying ways, it is not adequate to reject AeCi entirely, to deduct a different physiological effect from cognitive outcomes, or to assume an inefficiency of cathodal tDCS in modulating higher order cortical functions. By highlighting beneficial outcomes, we present here an alternative view on cognitive enhancements that is consistent with the concept of a predominantly inhibitory effect of cathodal tDCS. Suppression of hyperactivity, dysfunctional network activity, noise filtering, state-dependent activity tuning (homeostatic plasticity), and distant disinhibition are discussed as possible mechanisms of action. Consideration of these aspects may allow for a better understanding of the complex results of tDCS studies on the malleability of cognition and behaviour.