1. A method of optically stimulating a neural tissue of a living subject, comprising the steps of: a. generating at least one beam of radiation; b. introducing at least one of one or more chromophores and one or more optical agents to a target neural tissue; and c. delivering the at least one beam of radiation to the target neural tissue, wherein the at least one beam of radiation is delivered with a radiant exposure that causes a thermal gradient in the target neural tissue, thereby stimulating the target neural tissue.