The Biggest Breakthrough in Menstrual Care. Ever.
Nettle is an award-winning wearable that uses advanced neurotechnology to reprogram how your brain processes pain and mood symptoms.
The Biggest Breakthrough in Menstrual Care. Ever.
The Future of Menstrual Care
Experience life-changing results in just 20 minutes a day, 5 days a month.
The world’s first medical-grade, drug and hormone-free solution for managing PMS and menstrual pain.
Non-invasively targets the most common and severe mood and pain symptoms at their source in the brain.
Backed by over 30 years of clinical research, outperforming traditional treatments in our trials.*
Built to fit into your routine with sessions for just 20 minutes a day, 5 days a month.
Reduces menstrual pain
Improves low mood
Tested in placebo-controlled trials
Drug and hormone free
Clinic grade technology
Feel Your Best in Every Phase
Sign up to explore the world’s first brain stimulation device for PMS and menstrual care, and receive exclusive neuroscience-backed content about the connection between your cycle and brain.
Get your money back if Nettle doesn’t work for you
We spent over three years conducting research and rigorous clinical testing to develop Nettle, and we believe in the quality and efficacy of our technology. However, we understand that Nettle may not be for everyone. That’s why we offer a 90-day trial policy to let users experience Nettle across multiple cycles.
If you’ve followed the recommended guidelines and still feel Nettle isn’t right for you, you may return it for a full refund.
DISCLAIMER
Throughout our communications, we use the word women to include all people experiencing menstrual-related issues, including but not limited to all people assigned female at birth.
Nettle uses brain stimulation to target brain regions responsible for pain perception and mood regulation.
Its underlying technology has been clinically validated in managing pain, depression, anxiety, cognitive function and performance through over 30 years of research.
What does Nettle do?
Modulates neuronal excitability
Neuronal excitability is the ability of brain cells (neurons) to respond to stimuli and convert these into electrical impulses, crucial for everything from motor responses to complex thinking and memory. Proper regulation of neuronal excitability is essential for brain health. Abnormal levels can lead to neurological disorders, such as depression, where certain brain areas become underactive. Nettle employs low-current electrical pulses to adjust neuronal excitability, helping adjust these imbalances.
Rebalances activity in your brain
During the luteal phase of your menstrual cycle, rising progesterone levels lead to changes in brain activity. These hormonal fluctuations are associated with alterations in mood, increased irritability, and cognitive shifts. Targeted brain stimulation, particularly applied to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), has been shown to mitigate these changes by normalising brain activity to levels observed during the pre-luteal phase.
Regenerates neural pathways
By applying a low-intensity electrical current to the brain, Nettle enhances neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to form and reorganize synaptic connections. This promotion of neuroplasticity ensures that Nettle's effects are lasting, leading to improvements in the brain's processing of pain and mood. These improvements can yield long-term benefits and reduce reliance on medications.
By targeting the brain, Nettle reprograms how you perceive pain and regulate mood.
After just one month’s use, our clinical trial users reported:
Reduction in menstrual pain
The average reduction in menstrual pain was 53%. This decrease continued over time, suggesting that the most significant reduction could be expected after 3 months of consistent use. Remarkably, over 44% of women reported minimal period pain (rated under 2 out of 10) after just one month of using Nettle. For comparison, painkillers typically only reduce pain by 45-53% on average¹, and it's estimated that at least 18% of women obtain no relief from NSAIDs².
Improvements in low mood
During the PMS period, the average symptoms of low mood improved by 34%. Impressively, 100% of users with extremely severe low mood symptoms (PANAS score above 25) reported a shift to moderate or mild symptoms after just one month of using Nettle. Furthermore, the relief from low mood symptoms extended for an additional month after discontinuation of Nettle, indicating potential long-term improvements with continued use.
Boosts in functionality
The average functionality, or fitness status, improved by 11%. This improvement is primarily attributed to reductions in pain and anxiety, as well as enhancements in mood, which collectively lead to increased activity levels. These benefits were directly associated with the use of Nettle and tended to diminish during the follow-up period, suggesting they are not directly brain-based effects but rather secondary effects of improvements in overall brain health and plasticity.
Feel Your Best in Every Phase
Sign up to explore the world’s first brain stimulation device for PMS and menstrual care, and receive exclusive neuroscience-backed content about the connection between your cycle and brain.
Your journey is supported by a neuroscience-backed app
Nettle is managed through the Samphire Neuroscience mobile app, which syncs with your health data for a personalised experience. The app will offer cycle tracking and symptom logging features as well as neuroscientific content to support your journey toward a healthier cycle-brain connection.
“Finally, something that works. Nettle changed my life.”
“I’ve always struggled with really bad PMS the week leading up to my period and traditional treatments often made my symptoms worse, so I was really open to trying the headband. It completely change my life, the first thing I noticed was I was able to go to the gym on the first day of my period which is unheard of. My brain fog reduced and i’ve been noticeably happier and more energetic.”
Why should you try brain stimulation?
Brain stimulation for menstrual symptom management offers a non-invasive, drug-free alternative that directly targets the neural pathways involved in pain and mood regulation.
Non-invasive, Drug and Hormone Free
Nettle offers a natural, non-invasive way to ease relieve and mood symptoms by enhancing brain function and adaptability in key areas. Using gentle, low-current pulses that mimic the brain’s natural energy, it optimises brain and cycle health without relying on painkillers, SSRIs or hormonal contraception.
Outperforms traditional treatments
Backed by four clinical trials, Nettle has proven to be a safe and highly effective alternative. In our Triple-Blind, Randomised Sham-Controlled Trial, Nettle surpassed traditional treatments in managing pain, mood, and overall functionality.
Zero severe side effects
At-home brain stimulation has a track record of zero severe side effects in over 30 years of research, due to its non-invasive nature. This safety focus is crucial, particularly for women who have been notoriously prescribed medications with adverse effects.
Start Your Journey With Nettle Today
Our early users can try Nettle risk free for 90-days, allowing you to experience the difference before committing.
Nettle outperforms traditional treatments in clinical trials.
Below are the results from our WIND* trial, A Triple-Blind, Randomised Sham-Controlled Trial, that focused on three metrics: pain, mood, and average functionality or fitness status.
AFTER 30 Days*
100%
of users with severe low mood symptoms improved to moderate or mild low mood symptoms.
72%
of users reported clinically significant pain relief.
67%
of users reported a clinically significant improvement in their average functionality, or fitness status.
91%
of users reported Nettle was easy to integrate into their daily routine.
*Have a detailed look at our trial results here.
Our users have felt the difference.
Nettle might be new to the market, but early users have already commented on its life-changing benefits. Here’s what they have to say.
Clinically tested, medically certified and backed by over 30 years of research
Using advanced neurotechnology previously only available in clinical settings, Nettle improves your menstrual cycle health by transforming your brain’s neural networks.
Balances Brain Responses
Nettle sends gentle electrical pulses to help balance how your brain cells react to signals. This is important because when these responses are out of balance, it can lead to mood issues like depression. Nettle’s technology helps restore that balance, supporting your mental well-being.
Strengthens Brain Connections
By using a mild current, Nettle encourages your brain to create and strengthen connections, called neuroplasticity, which can improve how it handles pain and mood over time. This effect may reduce the need for medications in the long run.
Restores Brain Activity During Hormonal Shifts
During the luteal phase of your menstrual cycle, rising progesterone levels lead to changes in brain activity. Nettle’s targeted brain stimulation, particularly to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (which is responsible for mood regulation) helps normalise activity to pre-luteal phase levels, reducing irritability and mood swings.
Using Nettle is easy
Nettle is designed specifically for women, making it the first brain stimulation device created to be discreet. Setup takes under two minutes, and each session lasts just 20 minutes.
Place electrode covers over the electrodes.
Soak electrode covers in saline solution.
Place Nettle on your head, it should sit comfortably.
Connect with the app and start your session.
Built on verified science
Nettle was built on over 30 years of research in the fields of chronic pain and depression management. Have a look at some of the key papers that validate our technology.
Transcranial direct current stimulation to reduce chronic pelvic pain in endometriosis: Phase II Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Safety of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: Evidence Based Update 2016
Development and testing of a novel IoT consumer tDCS device for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea
Depression, anxiety, stress, and dysmenorrhea: a protocol for a systematic review
Altered cognitive control network mediates the association between long-term pain and anxiety symptoms in primary dysmenorrhea
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder and changes in frontal alpha asymmetry
Modelling and Preliminary Clinical Validation of Home-based Menstrual Neuromodulation Therapy
Evidence-Based Guidelines and Secondary Meta-Analysis for the Use of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders
Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhea: Preliminary Results of a Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial
Modulating Anxiety and Functional Capacity with Anodal tDCS Over the Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex in Primary Dysmenorrhea
Our scientific experts
Neurosurgeon focused on global public health. Also the founder of the podcast called ‘Science with Sanjula’ where she interviews world-leading scientists about big issues in global healthcare. She is helping Samphire translate our science into public impact.
Researcher from Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte focused on neglected women's health conditions. Responsible for running Samphire's clinical trials.
World-leading chronic pain researcher from Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte. He was the first person in the world to publish a paper on the topic of tDCS to treat pain in dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain).
Pyschologist and world-leading researcher on innovative clinical interventions. Currently the president of Harvard Alumni for Mental Health and is responsible for developing Samphire's cognitive science-based interventions.
Professor of Neuropsychiatry at Harvard and global PMDD neuroanatomy expert. He worked on one of the first pieces of research that showed that PMDD is a neurobiological condition, which laid the foundation for PMDD being recognised by the International Classification of Diseases.
Edward Evantash is a highly experienced and accomplished professional in the medical field, having held various leadership positions in multiple companies. Prior to his current roles, Edward served as Medical Director and V.P. Global Medical Affairs at Hologic and held prominent positions at Tufts Medical Center.
FAQs
If you have a question about Nettle or it’s launch, and we haven’t answered it here on our main FAQ page, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
There are important contraindications that apply to using Nettle. If any of the below contraindications apply to you, you should not use Nettle.
- Persons who are under 18 years old.
- Persons with a history of seizures or epilepsy.
- Persons who are pregnant or may be pregnant.
- Persons experiencing active suicidal thoughts.
- Persons with a pre-existing neurological or neuropsychiatric condition.
- Persons with a lesion, tumour or other defect in your skull, cranium or brain.
- Persons with an implant inside their skull, cochlear implant or implanted hearing aid.
- Persons with implanted medical devices, such as a cardiac pacemaker or neurostimulation devices, such as spinal cord stimulators, vagal nerve stimulators, auricular stimulators, or deep-brain stimulating electrodes.
If you are unsure about whether any contraindications apply to you, you must consult with your physician before continuing, especially if you are under the care of a physician for any conditions related to the central nervous system (e.g. neurology, psychiatry).
Yes! 47.1% of participants in our clinical trials self-identified as women of colour, 67.6% of them had wavy, curly or coily hair, and trial participants had a BMI range from 19 to 29.
Nettle will cost £449 in the UK at the time of launch. This price reflects the extensive clinical research and testing Nettle has undergone to be a medically approved and clinically validated health technology device. We will be offering payment plans to all customers and exclusive discounts for waitlist members.
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (or PMDD) is a serious condition that - like much of women’s health - has been largely ignored by research, clinicians and solutions for too long. PMDD is a complex condition, with complex symptomatology, and women with PMDD do not necessarily have the same symptoms or experiences.
Nettle has been designed specifically with women in mind who have certain types of PMDD symptoms, especially low mood; and it may be worth exploring as an option alongside other treatment options. However, Nettle has not yet been tested on exclusively PMDD patient populations, and we’re currently investigating such benefits in a separate clinical trial.
During your luteal phase, fluctuations occur in certain brain regions which contribute to symptoms of PMS and menstrual pain such as low mood, anxiety, brain fog and cramps. Your brain runs on electricity, and neurons communicate using electrical signals called action potentials. Nettle uses the natural language of neurons to rearrange and regenerate neural pathways - a process known as neuroplasticity. This is done by administering safe and small electrical pulses to brain regions where these fluctuations occur. We are able to target them via the placement of the electrodes on the headband, one targeting your dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and the other targeting your insula via your motor cortex (M1).
This stimulation gets neurons firing in a way that is more consistent with follicular phase activity, empowering you to feel your best even during the premenstrual phase. The technology Nettle employs is well-known and validated from the fields of depression and chronic pain treatment.
Yes, extensively.
We have run more than two years of tests on Nettle itself, and this builds on decades of research into the underlying neurotechnology and its mechanisms. These tests range across safety, efficacy, ergonomics, and more. The results of our WIND trial are available on our website and demonstrate significant improvement in low mood, pain and function after using Nettle for just 5 days, which is equivalent to one cycle.
We are in the process of setting up and conducting more trials, including one with the NHS that will test the efficacy of Nettle amongst patients with endometriosis and other trials for PMDD, among other conditions.
Nettle is designed to help manage a variety of physical and psychological symptoms. Physical symptoms include menstrual pain and cramping, while psychological symptoms encompass low mood, irritability, anger management, mood instability, and brain fog. There is stronger evidence supporting Nettle's effectiveness for certain symptoms compared to others.
The technology behind Nettle has been rigorously tested in multiple clinical trials and continues to be assessed in ongoing studies to evaluate its effectiveness across various clinical endpoints.
Yes, Nettle has been rigorously tested for safety, and its underlying technology is supported by over 30 years of evidence demonstrating its safety for both short- and long-term use. However, as with all medical technologies, Nettle may not be suitable for everyone. The key contraindications for using Nettle are diagnoses and history of epilepsy and/or seizures, and any pre-existing neurological implants, which could interfere with Nettle’s mechanism of action.
Learn more about the cycle brain connection
Explore our blog where we break down neuroscience, menstrual health, and the cycle-brain connection.
The Neuroscience of Endometriosis
The Neuroscience of Perimenopause
That Time of the Month
The Hidden Game Changer
The Menstrual Pain-Brain Connection
Neuroplasticity as a Tool for Optimising Menstrual Health
Will Neuroimaging Revolutionise the Diagnosis of PMDD?
Periods, Productivity, and the Path to Progress
The Problem with Painkillers: They Weren't Made for Women
Women with Severe PMS and PMDD Experience Depression-Like Symptoms Every Month
Learn more about the cycle brain connection.
Explore our blog where we break down neuroscience, menstrual health, and the cycle-brain connection.
Blog title heading will go here
Blog title heading will go here
The Neuroscience of Perimenopause
The Neuroscience of Endometriosis
That Time of the Month
The Hidden Game Changer
Women with Severe PMS and PMDD Experience Depression-Like Symptoms Every Month
The Problem with Painkillers: They Weren't Made for Women
Periods, Productivity, and the Path to Progress
Will Neuroimaging Revolutionise the Diagnosis of PMDD?
Neuroplasticity as a Tool for Optimising Menstrual Health
The Menstrual Pain-Brain Connection
Feel Your Best in
Every Phase
Sign up to explore the world’s first brain stimulation device for PMS and menstrual care, and receive exclusive neuroscience-backed content about the connection between your cycle and brain.