tDCS brain stimulation for depression

Developed by neuroscientists and clinicians. Used by the NHS.

brain stimulation image
Depression changes how your brain works. 
Flow helps change it back.
Depression is not just a chemical imbalance, it is a shift in how your brain functions. Flow uses transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a gentle electrical stimulation to target the part of the brain linked to mood.
A non-invasive, drug-free treatment. Flow targets the part of the brain linked to mood regulation.
Unlike medication, Flow works by stimulating the brain externally. No invasive procedures. No sexual side effects, no weight gain, no sedation.
Flow encourages neurons to fire more regularly by delivering a low-level current to the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex.
Flow's regular stimulation gradually re-exercises the underactive neural pathways linked to depression in the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC), a process called neuroplasticity. Over time, your brain rebuilds the healthy patterns it needs.

Safety

The Flow headset has been designed and extensively tested by experts.

It is CE-certified and complies with all European and UK laws for medical devices.
It has also received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for at-home depression treatment in the United States.

The technology Flow uses (tDCS) has been used in clinical settings for decades, and its safety and performance has been evaluated in hundreds of clinical trials. To learn more about the safety and performance of Flow in these clinical trials, visit our Research page.

It is important to always use Flow in accordance with the user manual.

Flow

Is it right for you?

Take a 2-minute quiz to find out if Flow could help with your symptoms of depression.

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Flow could work for you, even when other treatments haven't.

Flow can be used alongside other forms of treatment

Some people use it alongside medication, talk therapy, or lifestyle changes. We're here to support whatever approach works best for you.

Flow may help if:
  • You have depression or persistent low mood
  • Medication hasn't worked, or causes side effects
  • You prefer a natural, non-drug treatment
Is Flow for me?
Get started

Effortless set up

Order the Flow Headset
Delivered in 1-3 working days.
Download our free app
Connect your headset to your phone via bluetooth and start stimulating.
Track your mood
Track your mood, sleep, appetite, concentration levels and more, to understand what impacts your depression and see improvement.

No serious side effects

Your safety is our priority

In over two decades of research on tDCS, no serious side effects have been reported. This strong safety profile is why Flow is approved for over-the-counter use without requiring a prescription.

Most users experience only mild, temporary side effects. These are generally well-tolerated, with most users reporting the sensations become milder over time.
You may also experience some skin irritation, such as redness or itchiness, which is common and temporary. Other users may notice tiredness, headaches, tinnitus (which is rare), or a slight increase in anxiety, especially at the start of treatment.

Safety and Precautions

How Flow Compares to Other Treatments

Many people use Flow on its own or alongside other treatments.
Here's how it compares:

Feature
tDCS
Non-invasive
Yes
Yes
Drug-free
Yes
No
(used in clinic)
Side effects
Mild
(tingling, skin irritation)
Mild to moderate
(e.g. headache)
Typical use
30 mins/day × 5 days/week for 3 weeks, then 2/week for 7 weeks
Clinic sessions 5×/week
Time to benefit
Weeks
(often after 2–3 weeks)
Weeks
(often after 2–4 weeks)
Can combine with others
Yes
Often combined with medication
Feature
tDCS
Non-invasive
Yes
Yes
Drug-free
Yes
No
(used in clinic)
Side effects
Mild
(tingling, skin irritation)
Mild to moderate
(e.g. headache)
Typical use
30 mins/day × 5 days/week for 3 weeks, then 2/week for 7 weeks
Clinic sessions 5×/week
Time to benefit
Weeks
(often after 2–3 weeks)
Weeks
(often after 2–4 weeks)
Can combine with others
Yes
Often combined with medication

Meet the scientists

behind Flow

Daniel Månsson
Founder, Clinical Psychologist
Erik Rehn
Founder, Engineer
Kultar Garcha
Chief Medical Officer, GP
Hannah Nearney
UK Medical Director, Consultant Psychiatrist
Hanna Silva
Clinical Lead, Clinical Psychologist

We support you at every step

Health support team
We know the struggles of health and the need to restore and preserve it. That's why good support comes naturally.
30 day guarantee
We are so confident that Flow will work for you that if you aren’t happy after 30 days, we’ll give you a full refund.
Fast shipping
Accessible in one click, delivered to your door within 1-3 working days. Simplified return process and refunds policy
Footnote
[1] <5% report any side effects (mild, temporary) - Source: Flow safety data (n=40,000+) + RCT AE data