Earlier this week I began testing the Flow Neuroscience headset — a device that uses transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to stimulate areas of the brain linked to depression.
In simpler terms:
I’ve started plugging my forehead into a charger.
This Friday Field Report is the week one update.
I talk through:
• What the headset actually feels like to wear
• The slightly alarming wet electrode pads situation
• Whether the electrical stimulation hurts (spoiler: mildly… but in a “strong skincare” kind of way)
• The surprisingly good therapy app that comes with it
• Why the behavioural therapy modules are actually better than a lot of therapy I’ve paid for
• Whether the experiment is making me feel even slightly more motivated
So far the results are… inconclusive.
But I do feel a bit more like “come on then, let’s be having you.”
Which is something.
One thing that genuinely impressed me was the built-in therapy courses.
The headset isn’t just about the electrical stimulation — the app includes:
• behavioural therapy modules
• mindfulness and meditation sessions
• sleep support
• habit-building exercises
• diet and lifestyle guidance
All delivered through a chat-style interactive course, which is surprisingly engaging when you’re struggling to focus.
It’s a bit like a choose-your-own-adventure therapy conversation.
The therapy format inside the Flow app — genuinely useful behavioural therapy exercises delivered in a way that actually keeps you engaged.
If I find similar tools that don’t require a brain-electrocuting headset, I’ll link them here. Ok so there's one called Youper but it's not available in the UK annoyingly. Abby - your AI therapist looks good. Or Wysa the app looks good too. Haven't tried any of them though so... just going off the App Store sales pitch!
I currently have around 200 unanswered messages across email, WhatsApp and DMs.
The longer I leave them, the more awkward the replies become.
Classic.
I’ll report back again once I’ve used the headset for the full three-week protocol to see whether it actually improves:
• mood
• motivation
• executive function
• anxiety
Or whether I’ve simply been mildly electrifying my forehead for no reason.
If you’ve tried anything that actually helped your mental health, motivation or executive function — send it my way.
DM me on Instagram:
@rosehoneymorgan
@field.notes.pod
We’re currently reading Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway inside the Actually Trying Book Club.
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