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Sooma tDCS is a small brain-stimulation device you use at home for depression or chronic pain. It sends a very mild electrical current through a soft head cap that holds the electrodes in place.

A depression session lasts 30 minutes, and a pain session lasts 20 minutes. The Sooma tDCS system is a CE-marked Class IIa medical device from Sooma Medical in Helsinki, Finland.

tDCS stands for transcranial direct current stimulation. In simple words, it is gentle brain stimulation through the skin of your head.

For depression, the current reaches the DLPFC, an area at the front left of the brain. This area is often less active in people with depression. For chronic pain, the current reaches brain areas that process pain signals.

The current is very weak, so the stimulation is gentle.

This is a common question, and the word "electrical" can sound worrying. Sooma tDCS is very different from ECT (electroconvulsive therapy).

ECT needs anesthesia and a hospital. Sooma uses a very weak current. You stay awake and use it at home on your own schedule.

You may feel a gentle tingling, warmth or itching under the electrodes. Side effects are typically mild and temporary.

If the feeling is too strong, press the electrodes gently against your head to improve contact. You can pause the session at any time with one short press of the device button.

Sooma tDCS may help with depression and with some types of chronic pain. International evidence-based guidelines give tDCS an A-level recommendation for depression and a Level B recommendation for chronic pain¹. Response rates vary, and not everyone responds.

For pain, Sooma tDCS is for fibromyalgia and knee osteoarthritis. It is also for nerve pain in MS, spinal cord injury, or phantom limb pain.

It makes sense to want proof before you try something new. A Nature Medicine study showed 57.5% remission with home-based tDCS². A real-world study of 410 patients showed a 55% response rate³.

For fibromyalgia, a meta-analysis showed tDCS efficacious for pain⁴. The Sooma tDCS system is a CE-marked Class IIa medical device. It is an approved treatment and not an experiment.

Waiting can be hard when you want to feel better soon. The benefits grow slowly, and the speed is different for each person.

Some people notice changes in the first weeks, others after 6 weeks or later. This is why the treatment lasts 6 months.

A depression session takes 30 minutes, and a pain session takes 20 minutes. Both follow the same schedule:

• Weeks 1 to 3: 5 sessions per week
• Weeks 4 to 25: 3 continuation sessions per week

That is about 80 sessions in total.

Regular sessions take time, and this can feel like a lot at first. It helps to choose a fixed time, for example in the morning or after work. You can read or watch something during a session.

Sooma tDCS is for depression and chronic pain only. It is not approved for other conditions, so we cannot recommend it for them.

It is normal to worry about this. Sooma uses a very weak current, and you may feel only a gentle tingling under the electrodes.

A safety review of over 33,000 sessions confirmed tDCS as safe when used as directed⁷. Sooma tDCS is a CE-marked medical device, which means it meets EU safety rules for medical devices.

Side effects are typically mild and temporary. The Sooma tDCS user manual lists these as the most common:

• tingling, warmth, a burning feeling or itching under the electrodes
• skin irritation and redness
• headache

Less common side effects are blurred vision, tiredness, nausea, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, trouble sleeping, mood changes and worsening tinnitus.

When treating depression, another less common side effect is hypomania. This is a period of unusually high mood or energy. If you notice it, or any other side effect that worries you, stop your sessions and contact a healthcare provider.

A safety review of over 33,000 sessions confirmed tDCS as safe⁷. Side effects are typically mild and go away after the session.

Do not use Sooma tDCS if you have:

• devices or metal objects on or inside your skull
• acute eczema or broken skin where the electrodes go

Some people need to be extra careful. Talk to a healthcare provider before you start if you:

• are pregnant, think you might be, or become pregnant during treatment
• have epilepsy or have had seizures
• have a skull defect, a brain lesion or another neurological condition
• have thoughts of suicide or of harming yourself

Yes. Sooma tDCS is for adults aged 18 and over.

It can, because the electrodes need to be close to your scalp. The treatment can still work with thick hair. It may take a few extra minutes to get good contact at the start of each session.

Sooma may not work for you if your hair keeps the cap from fitting closely on your head. This can happen with very thick hair or large hairstyles, such as thick curls, dreadlocks or thick braids.

Artificial hair, such as wigs or weaves, blocks the current if it is under the electrodes. If you cannot easily remove it before each session, the treatment cannot work.

No. Keep taking your medication as usual. Never stop or change medication without first talking to a healthcare provider.

You can still use Sooma if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, but you need to be extra careful. Talk to a healthcare provider before you start, and also if you become pregnant during treatment.

Small studies of tDCS during pregnancy and breastfeeding have not found extra risks⁵. Unlike medication, tDCS does not enter your bloodstream, so it does not pass into breast milk⁵. Avoid holding your baby during a session.

Please do not stop or change any medication on your own because of a pregnancy. Stopping suddenly can make your condition worse, so plan any change with a healthcare provider.

Yes. Sooma tDCS is compatible with cardiac pacemakers, and other implants in the body are not a reason to avoid it.

Metal in your teeth or jaw, such as fillings, is not a problem either. Only devices or metal on or inside the skull mean you cannot use it.

No. Within the EU you can order Sooma tDCS and start at home on your own. You can also choose to do the treatment through a partner clinic.

Starting a treatment at home can feel lonely, and that worry is common. The Sooma App guides you through each session and reminds you of upcoming ones.

Sooma support can help with any questions about the device, the app or your order. For medical questions, such as using Sooma with another condition, a healthcare provider is the right person to ask.

If you want a healthcare provider to follow your treatment, you can choose a partner clinic instead.

Both use the same Sooma tDCS device. At home, you follow Sooma's standard plan on your own. Through a clinic, a healthcare provider adapts the treatment to you and follows your progress in person.

At home on your own:

• You order online and start at home.
• You follow Sooma's standard 6-month plan.
• You track your progress in the Sooma App.
• Sooma support helps with technical questions.

Through a partner clinic:

• You start with a first visit at the clinic.
• The clinic adapts the plan to you, and it is often shorter.
• A healthcare provider follows your progress in person.
• The cost is usually higher and set by the clinic.

Practices differ between clinics and between countries.

You know your life best. Treating yourself at home suits people who like to plan things themselves.

A clinic suits people who want a healthcare provider to plan the treatment and check their progress. Both are good options, so choose what feels right for you.

For the home treatment, you can see the current price on the kit below.

The clinic option usually costs more, and it gives you a more personal service. A healthcare provider plans the treatment with you and follows your progress in person. Each clinic sets its own prices, so ask the clinic for details.

You can order Sooma for home use in Finland, France and Germany. Partner clinics work in more countries.

You can see the current price on the kit below.

Yes. With the subscription option, you pay monthly over the 6 months of treatment. You can choose it on the kit below, or pay with Klarna.

The kit includes 80 pairs of conductive pads, one pair per session. The 6-month course has about 80 sessions. You only need more pads if you continue after 6 months.

The electrode cups and the cap wear out after about 3 months or 100 sessions (see How long do the parts last?). You can buy new ones separately.

You also need a smartphone to run the Sooma App.

Yes. The Sooma App runs your treatment, so you need it for every session.

It checks that the right treatment is loaded on your device and shows you the electrode contact. It also reminds you of upcoming sessions.

It is reasonable to want to know where your health information goes. The Sooma App collects only what it needs to run your treatment:

• your questionnaire answers
• your treatment schedule and which sessions you completed
• technical data from your sessions, used for support and to improve the product

Sooma may also hold your contact details, language, year of birth and sex, and information about your condition.

Your data is pseudonymized and stored on Amazon Web Services servers in Europe. Sooma Oy controls it and processes it under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). You can read the details in the Sooma App privacy policy.

It is normal to feel unsure when you open a new medical device. The video and the page below show each item in the box and what it is for.

Try both caps and keep the one that fits closely without being too tight. Women can start with size S, and men with size M.

Pick the smallest size that fits. If there is loose fabric between the electrodes, the cap is too large. Extra-small and large caps are available on request.

Yes, apart from a smartphone or tablet with internet access. It needs iOS 18 or newer, or Android 10 or newer. The Sooma App runs every session, so you cannot do the treatment without it.

The first time can take a while, and it gets faster with practice. The video below shows every step.

1. Check that your skin and hair are clean and dry, with no hair products or creams.
2. Place the electrode cups inside the cap and connect the cable, red to red and black to black.
3. Put a new pair of pads into the electrode cups.
4. Put on the cap. Line up the bottom edge with your eyebrows and the center seam with your nose.
5. Open the Sooma App and select today's session.
6. Hold the device button for 1 second to power it on, then connect it to the app.
7. Plug the cable into the device and press the button. Wait until the ring light turns green, which means good contact.
8. Press the button again to start. The ring light fills with blue as the session goes on.

Yes, a little. The skin and hair on the stimulation area should be clean and dry, with no hair products, makeup or creams. Remove any piercings or jewelry with metal near the electrodes.

Check that the skin under the electrodes is healthy, without broken skin or eczema. For very thick hair or wigs, see Does my hair type affect the treatment?

Good contact lets the current reach your scalp. The ring light on the device turns green when contact is good and orange when it is still poor.

• Start with clean, dry skin and hair, with no hair or skin products on the area.
• Press the electrodes gently against your head until you feel the scalp under both of them get wet. Do not press too hard, or the pads may leak.
• Be patient. With thick hair, it can take several minutes.
• If you have long hair, tie it in a low ponytail and pull the back of the cap over it.
• Check that the cap fits closely. If there is loose fabric between the electrodes, try the smaller cap.

If the ring light turns magenta, the cap or your hair is too wet. Dry them and try again. If nothing helps, see I cannot get good contact.

Yes. Choose something calm that you enjoy, such as reading, watching TV, drawing or doing a crossword. You can use your phone and headphones, or simply sit and relax.

There is no special activity you need to do for the treatment. It is best to avoid stressful things during a session, such as reading upsetting news or thinking about problems.

Sit down during a session, with the device on a table or another flat surface.

Avoid sports, heavy chores like vacuuming, and anything that makes you sweat. Moving around can shift the electrodes and pull on the cable.

Keep the device dry. Do not use it in the shower or the sauna.

Press the electrodes gently against your head. Better contact usually makes the feeling milder.

If the discomfort continues, pause with one short press of the device button. Wait a couple of minutes for the contact to improve, then continue. If it still feels too strong, power off the device, take off the cap and contact Sooma support.

Yes, this can happen, and it is harmless. It means the electrodes lost contact for a moment, for example because the cable moved.

Sitting with the device on a table and wearing a cap that fits closely helps prevent it. If it happens often, contact Sooma support so we can check the cap and cable with you.

Yes. Use a short press of the device button to pause, and another short press to continue.

During a short pause, keep the cap on. The pre-soaked pads have already wet your scalp and hair where they sit.

If you take the cap off and put it back, the pads may move to a drier spot. Then it is harder to get good contact.

The device also pauses by itself if contact is lost, and it beeps until contact is back.

If you need a longer break, take off the cap and power off the device with a long press of the button.

If you had done more than half of the session, the session is over, and you cannot do another one that day. If you had done less than half, you can start the session again from the beginning.

Falling asleep is not dangerous, but try to stay awake. While you sleep, you might move and shift the electrodes. If they lose contact for a moment, you may feel a short, sharp tingle or see a quick flash of light. This is harmless.

The device gives three long beeps, and the ring light turns fully blue. The Sooma App also shows that the session is complete.

If your phone is nearby and connected, the device then powers off by itself. If not, open the app to finish the session, or power it off with a long press of the button. Your session is saved on the device and moves to the app the next time they connect.

Yes. Slight redness under the pads is common and temporary. After the session, rinse the skin with water and apply a moisturizer.

If the skin is broken, wait until it has healed before your next session. Contact Sooma support if you are unsure.

Do not drive or operate machinery during a session. After the session, you can drive if you feel well and alert. If you feel tired or dizzy, wait until you feel better.

Follow the treatment schedule, even when the Sooma App shows a session as available. At the moment, the app offers a session every day, including your rest days. On a rest day, just skip it.

The device allows only one session per day. Extra sessions are not part of the treatment. You can also see the full schedule on the page below.

Any time that suits you. Using it at the same time each day makes it easier to remember.

Some people feel more alert after a session. If that happens to you, avoid sessions late in the evening so they do not affect your sleep.

Missing a day happens to everyone. Do not do two sessions in one day.

Do your next session as planned. You can add the missed session at the end of the same week.

After each session:

• Throw the used pads away with organic waste.
• Rinse the electrode cups with tap water and dry them with a clean cloth or paper towel. Do not use soap, as it can leave a layer that blocks contact.

When needed, wipe the device and its parts with a clean towel. You can wash the cap by hand or in the machine at 40 °C (104 °F). Let it air-dry fully before your next session.

The electrode cups may turn darker over time. This is normal and does not affect the treatment.

Use a new pair of pads for every session. Never reuse pads, because used pads can irritate or injure the skin. Check the expiry date on each pack before use.

The kit includes 80 pairs of pads. When you run out, you can order a continuation pack below.

Use only the USB-C charger from the box. Plug the charger into the wall socket first, then into the device. Unplug the electrode cable before charging, because the device cannot charge while it is connected.

A full charge takes up to 5 hours. It gives about 10 hours of stimulation, which is about 20 depression sessions or 30 pain sessions. You cannot use the device while it charges.

The device lasts up to 7 years. The parts that touch your head wear out sooner:

• Electrode cups: about 3 months or 100 sessions
• Cap: about 3 months or 100 sessions
• Cable: about 12 months
• Device battery: about 400 charges

Worn electrode cups make it harder to get good contact, and washing loosens the cap over time. If it becomes harder to get good contact, you can buy new electrode cups and caps separately. A replacement cable is also available.

Yes. The device has a lithium-ion battery, so follow your airline's rules for these batteries. Airlines usually ask you to keep them in your hand luggage, so do not pack the device in checked baggage.

Pack enough pads for your trip, and bring your phone with the Sooma App. Keep the device dry, and use it at temperatures between 5 and 40 °C (40 and 105 °F).

No. Your Sooma tDCS device and treatment plan are for one person only. Please do not lend, sell or give away your device.

Changes often come slowly, so they can be hard to notice. Look for small signs, like getting out of bed more easily or having a few more good days.

The Sooma App asks you to fill in short questionnaires from time to time. A graph shows your answers over time, so you can follow your progress. The questionnaires help you see how you feel over time, and they are not a diagnosis.

Someone close to you may notice changes before you do.

Be patient. The treatment is designed as a 6-month course, and the benefits grow slowly. Some people notice change in the first weeks, others after 6 weeks or later.

Not everyone responds to tDCS. If you notice no change, see the next question.

That can feel discouraging, especially after weeks of effort. Response rates vary, and not everyone responds to tDCS.

Some people respond later, so you may want to continue with the plan. If you want to talk about your options, a healthcare provider can help.

A Nature Medicine study followed people whose symptoms clearly improved. About 3 in 4 of them (76%) were still clearly better 6 months later². Continuing with regular sessions helps keep the benefit.

In a study of 71 people who continued sessions at home, fewer than 1 in 10 (8.5%) had their depression come back within 24 weeks⁸.

Yes. A continuation pack is available after the 6 months, and you can order it below.

Your device lasts up to 7 years, so you can also use it for a new course later. For a new course you will need new pads. You will usually need new electrode cups and a new cap too (see How long do the parts last? above).

Email support@soomamedical.com.

Sooma support can help with the device, the app and your order. For medical questions, a healthcare provider is the right person to ask. There is no such thing as a silly question, so please ask.

Your login details are sent by email when your order ships. Check your spam or junk folder first.

The first password expires after about 2 weeks. If it has expired, or you still cannot log in, contact Sooma support and we will help you.

This can be frustrating, especially when you have planned time for a session. First, restart both:

1. Power off the device with a long press of the button.
2. Quit the Sooma App and open it again.
3. Power on the device and connect it to the app.

If the app still cannot find the device:

• Open the app menu and select Permissions. Check that the app may use Bluetooth, and location on Android.
• Make sure the device is not connected to another phone. If it is, the app connection light on the device is blue.
• Uninstall the app, restart your phone and install the app again.

If the app shows "Device waiting for configuration", open the menu, select Profile and press the Bluetooth icon to disconnect. Then connect the device again.

If the app does not open at all on Android, clear the app's cache in your phone settings. Then open it again.

Start with the tips in How do I get good contact? If the ring light still stays orange:

• Check the small electrode light. If it blinks, the cable is not properly connected, so plug it in again.
• Take off the cap and press the two electrode cups together. If the contact becomes good, the equipment works and you need more time or gentle pressure on your head.
• If contact improves only a little, the electrode cups may be worn out.
• Restart the device and your phone, then try again.

If nothing helps, contact Sooma support. The cable or the electrode cups may need replacing.

Feeling worse can be scary, especially when you hoped to feel better. Stop your sessions and contact a healthcare provider. They can look at all your medication and treatment together and help you decide what to do next.

Please do not stop or change any medication on your own.

Please get help right now. Call 112, the emergency number in all EU countries, or go to the nearest emergency department.

If you're struggling or in crisis, help is available at findahelpline.com. You deserve support, and you do not have to wait.