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Flow is a medically-certified headset that treats depression. It uses a non-invasive technology known as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to target the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which is the area of your brain responsible for regulating mood. This helps restore brain activity and reduce depressive symptoms.
It is paired with a free app, which helps you manage your treatment and includes educational content on understanding and managing depression.
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.
Flow is backed by science, and its efficacy has been analysed in placebo-controlled clinical trials, NHS studies, and real-world data of over 55,000 users.
77% of users report clinical improvement within the first three weeks, and in a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, 57% of people with moderate to severe depression were completely free of depression after ten weeks. Our Evidence page has more details.
If Flow doesn’t work for you, you can return it for a full refund under our 30-day money-back guarantee.
Anxiety is a symptom of depression which Flow can help address.
Each week, Flow users complete a questionnaire, and 66% report reduced feelings of unease after just three weeks of use.
Since Flow hasn’t been tested as a standalone treatment for anxiety, we recommend using it for anxiety relief only if you also have depression.
Flow is safe to use.
tDCS, the technology used in Flow, has a well-established safety profile. It has been used for over a decade to treat depression in clinics, including within the NHS, and has been extensively studied in hundreds of clinical trials.
Flow is CE-certified and meets all European and UK regulations for medical devices. To date, it is available in over 30 countries and has been used by over 55,000 people with more than 1 million stimulation sessions completed.
tDCS is well-tolerated and associated with minimal side effects.
Read our Safety and Precautions for more details.
Because of the way Flow works, it doesn’t interfere with medicines you may be taking, including antidepressants.
It is generally safe to use if you have other medical conditions including diabetes, asthma, hypertension, are neurodivergent, or if you suffer with other mental health conditions in addition to depression.
Read our Safety and Precautions for more details.
Flow is generally well tolerated and associated with minimal side effects. No serious side effect has ever been reported.
The most commonly reported side effects are:
Side effects usually improve or completely resolve as your body adjusts to the treatment.
Read our Safety and Precautions for more details.
Yes, Flow is completely safe to use with antidepressants. You can use Flow as a standalone treatment or in combination with other treatments, including antidepressants or psychotherapy.
Flow uses a clinically-proven treatment schedule that is safe and effective. The schedule is split into two phases: the Activation Phase and the Strengthening Phase.
The Activation Phase (Weeks 1 - 3): Stimulate 5x a week
The Strengthening Phase (Weeks 4+): Stimulate 2x a week.
Each session is 30 minutes long. The treatment schedule can be customised by a clinician to meet individual needs.
Most people can tell whether Flow is right for them by the end of the Activation Phase, which lasts 3 weeks. Around 77% of users report a clinical improvement at this stage.
To fully understand Flow’s impact, we recommend 10 full weeks of treatment because other factors in your life can also affect how you feel.
If Flow is effective during the first 10 weeks of treatment, we recommend continuing use for at least 6 months even if you feel better. This helps reduce the risk of relapse.
If you’ve been diagnosed with depression (minor, moderate, or severe), Flow could help, even if other treatments haven’t.
77% of users report clinical improvement within the first three weeks, and in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 57% of people with moderate to severe depression were completely free of depression after ten weeks.
Most people who try Flow will experience an improvement, but no treatment works for everyone. Users can often tell within three weeks whether the treatment is helping. If it’s not the right fit, you can return it for a full refund under our 30-day money-back guarantee.
Flow can feel different for each person.
Some may experience mild tingling, itching, or stinging, while others might feel stronger discomfort or nothing at all. The sensations are generally well-tolerated and should not be painful.
As you continue the treatment, your body should adjust to the sensation.
Flow headsets come with free express shipping. Most orders are delivered within 2 - 3 working days.
For more information on delivery estimates, please visit our Shipping and Delivery page.
Every rental or purchased headset comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can return it for any reason, and free shipping is provided both ways.
Most people will know by the end of the three-week Activation Phase whether Flow is right for them. If you begin treatment soon after receiving your headset, you’ll have no problem completing the Activation Phase within this period.
If you haven’t experienced an improvement, simply return it and you’ll receive a full refund in approximately three working days after we receive your headset.
More details about our 30-day money-back guarantee here: 30-day money-back guarantee
Returning your headset or cancelling your rental subscription is easy. You can submit your request here: Return your order / Cancel your subscription
Even though Flow is an at-home treatment, you’ll have access to comprehensive support throughout your journey. This includes:
You can email us at support@flowneuroscience.com.
Visit our Help Centre for answers to other frequently asked questions.
Our support team is also here to assist you every step of the way.
You can email us at support@flowneuroscience.com.