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.

Sooma tDCS™ is a CE Class IIa medical device certified under the European Medical Device Regulation (MDR). CE Class IIa is the same regulatory category as insulin pumps and hearing aids, meaning it has undergone rigorous safety and performance testing. Sooma tDCS™ is also approved or registered by Health Canada, MDA, HSA, and COFEPRIS, among other regulatory bodies worldwide. In the United States, Sooma tDCS™ has been granted Breakthrough Device Designation and an Investigational Device Exemption. Federal law in the United States currently limits Sooma tDCS™ devices to investigational use only. We recommend consulting your doctor before beginning any new treatment.

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.

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.

After the initial 3 weeks of active treatment, most people transition to maintenance sessions — typically three sessions per week. Research from a 6-month follow-up home-based trial found a 76% clinical response rate in those assessed, and 90% of people who had already responded after open-label treatment stayed responders (Woodham et al., 2025). In a small study, twice-weekly maintenance after an acute response was associated with about three in four remaining relapse-free over 24 weeks overall (Aparicio et al., 2019). The Sooma program continues with three sessions per week through your plan's total, guided by the app. Your treatment includes 6 months of access, covering both the active and maintenance phases. Discuss any changes in symptoms or schedule with your doctor.