Flow helmet is now allowed to use neuroscience to treat depression

Swedish health technology start-up Flow Neuroscience has received regulatory approval from the UK to start selling the Flow headset to treat depression without medication.

Drawing on neuroscience and a technique known as direct current transcranial stimulation (TDCS), the Flow helmet is associated with the startup’s AI-based application therapy program. It can be used at health home and aims to reduce the effects of acute depression over an initial period of six weeks; followed by a follow-up phase.

The dedicated app also offers tips on the best way to eat, sleep, exercise and meditate to fight depression. It's all based on well-established behavioral activation techniques.

The configuration has been used in controlled trials published in the New England Journal of Medicine and the British Journal of Psychiatry. These trials have shown that brain stimulation has an impact similar to that of antidepressants; with fewer and less serious side effects.

Last year Daniel Mansson, CEO of Flow Neuroscience, shared with us how he believed technology could be used to treat depression. "By doing this for about 30 minutes a day, or 18 sessions over a six-week period, you will get a reduction in depression roughly equivalent to that of antidepressants. The big advantage of this technology is that you get fewer side effects and less serious than with, for example, the most recent forms of antidepressants. "

The startup was working with the British Standards Institution to classify the Flow helmet as a Class II medical device for use as a treatment for depression.

The Flow helmet can be purchased now on the startup's website. It is priced at $ 499 and replacement electrodes are priced at $ 20.

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