How does Flow and tDCS work?

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that uses a low electrical current to target the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), which is the part of your brain responsible for regulating mood, sleep, and motivation. People with depression have lower levels of activity in this part of the brain. Because your brain runs on electricity, sending a safe, gentle electrical current to this area can increase brain activity. This helps reduce your depression by improving your mood, anxiety, sleep, focus, motivation, and more.

Yes, Flow is safe. In over two decades of research on tDCS, no serious side effects have been reported. Fewer than 5% of Flow users have reported side effects. The most common are skin reactions, headaches, tiredness, or temporary changes in mood. Most resolve within hours to a few days, and tend to lessen the more you use it.

Can I use Flow with antidepressants?

Yes, Flow is completely safe to use with antidepressants. Alongside antidepressants can have an even better effect. 67% of people who used both Flow and antidepressants were no longer clinically depressed at 10 weeks. When combined with SSRI, remission rates increase by +18%. You can use Flow as a standalone treatment or in combination with other treatments, including antidepressants or psychotherapy.

Safety

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

Flow is approved for sale as a medical device for at-home depression treatment in the EU, UK, Australia and the USA by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

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.

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.

Fewer than 5% of Flow users have reported side effects¹. The most common are skin reactions, headaches, tiredness, or temporary changes in mood. Most resolve within hours to a few days, and tend to lessen the more you use it.

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 to antidepressants and TMS:

Feature

tDCS

Antidepressants

Side effects

Minimal

(tingling, skin irritation)

Mild to severe

Sexual dysfunction (up to 80% of users), weight gain, insomnia.

Non-invasive

Yes

No

Drug-free

Yes

No

Typical use

At-home typically 3x/week

1 pill a day for 6-12 months

Dosage/drug can differ by prescription

Time to benefit

Weeks

(often after 2–3 weeks)

Months

2-3 months typically

Can be combined with other treatments?

Yes

Remission rates increase 18% when antidepressant users add Flow

Yes

Must be supervised by a doctor

Feature

tDCS

Antidepressants

Side effects

Minimal

(tingling, skin irritation)

Mild to severe

Sexual dysfunction (up to 80% of users), weight gain, insomnia.

Non-invasive

Yes

No

Drug-free

Yes

No

Typical use

At-home typically 3x/week

1 pill a day for 6-12 months

Dosage/drug can differ by prescription

Time to benefit

Weeks

(often after 2–3 weeks)

Months

2-3 months typically

Can be combined with other treatments?

Yes

Remission rates increase 18% when antidepressant users add Flow

Yes

Must be supervised by a doctor

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