Depres­sion treatment

Depression treatment

Depression is the condition with the strongest evidence for tDCS. This page explains how it may help, and what the research shows.

How tDCS targets depression

Depression is linked to an imbalance in a brain area called the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). The left side tends to be underactive. The right side, linked to negative emotion, is often overactive.

tDCS treats both sides at once. One pad increases activity on the left. The other pad reduces activity on the right. This helps bring the two sides back into balance.

What the evidence shows

57.5%

of people reached remission in a home-use trial (Woodham et al., 2025)

68%

responded to tDCS used on its own, in a real-world study of 410 patients (Lookene et al., 2022)

76%

kept their improvement at 6 months, with maintenance sessions

In a trial of 174 patients using tDCS at home with remote medical supervision, 57.5% went into remission. For comparison, typical remission rates with antidepressant medication are 30 to 40%.

A separate trial (SELECT-TDCS, Brunoni et al., 2013) compared tDCS directly with sertraline, a commonly prescribed antidepressant. The two treatments worked similarly well, but tDCS did not cause weight gain or sexual side effects.

Across more than 33,000 documented tDCS sessions, no serious side effects have been reported.

Worth considering if

Antidepressant medication has not worked well enough for you
Side effects from medication are affecting your quality of life
You prefer a treatment that does not involve daily medication
You want a treatment you can do at home

tDCS can be used on its own or alongside your current medication.

Frequently asked questions

No. Most people feel tingling, itching, or warmth on the skin under the electrodes during the session. In clinical data, these sensations are usually mild and short-lived; some people find them briefly uncomfortable at first, but they often ease within the first few minutes. tDCS uses a very gentle current - far less than you'd feel from static electricity.
Most people begin to notice improvements within 2 to 3 weeks of regular sessions. Some feel changes sooner — improved sleep quality and energy are often among the first things people notice. Others take a bit longer. The full treatment course is typically 3 to 6 weeks. This is generally faster than antidepressant medication, which often requires 6 to 8 weeks before you know whether it is working.
Yes. tDCS can be used alongside antidepressant medication. One key advantage of tDCS is that it's safe to combine with different types of medications. As tDCS does not enter your system like medications do, it can not have pharmacological interactions. In fact, the SELECT-TDCS trial demonstrated that tDCS combined with sertraline produced better outcomes than either treatment by itself. Many patients start tDCS as an add-on to their existing medication, and some are later able to reduce their medication in consultation with their doctor. We recommend consulting your doctor before making any changes to your treatment plan.
tDCS should not be used by people who have devices or metal objects on or inside the skull, or who have acute eczema or broken skin in the area where the electrodes are placed. Note that Sooma tDCS™ is compatible with cardiac pacemakers. Discuss your full medical history with your doctor before starting treatment. If you have questions, a healthcare provider can help.
No. You can purchase Sooma tDCS™ directly for home delivery — no prescription is needed. However, we recommend consulting your doctor before beginning any new treatment or making changes to your treatment plan. If you have questions about whether tDCS is right for you, a healthcare provider can help