Neuro-electric therapy
Neuro-Electric Therapy (NET) is a form of cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) used for treating substance dependence, particularly during the acute withdrawal phase.[1] The protocol involves the application of low-level electrical currents to the head, with the stated goal of stimulating the brain's production of endorphins to alleviate withdrawal symptoms.[1] It was developed in the 1970s by Scottish surgeon Dr. Meg Patterson.[1] Modern research into a device based on the NET protocol has led to it receiving FDA 510(k) clearance for the treatment of opioid withdrawal symptoms.[2]
History
Neuro-Electric Therapy was developed in the early 1970s by Dr. Meg Patterson, a surgeon working in Hong Kong.[1] Patterson adapted electroacupuncture techniques used for pain relief, theorizing a similar method could alleviate the pain of opioid withdrawal.[1] Her method replaced acupuncture needles with electrodes applied to the skin, creating a non-invasive protocol.[1]
Patterson's work gained public attention after she treated musician Eric Clapton for heroin addiction in 1974.[3] This led other musicians, such as Pete Townshend of The Who, to seek her treatment.[4] Despite this media coverage, the therapy was met with skepticism from the broader medical community, which noted a lack of controlled, peer-reviewed studies to support its claims during that era.[5]
Mechanism of Action
The proposed mechanism for NET is the stimulation of the brain to increase production of endogenous neurochemicals like endorphins and serotonin.[1] The electrical current is theorized to act on the hypothalamus and limbic system, which regulate neurochemical release.[1] The NET protocol aims to artificially stimulate their release to reduce withdrawal symptoms such as pain, anxiety, and dysphoria.[1]
Clinical Research
In 2022, a study protocol for a randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial was published to assess a modern NET device as a non-medication treatment for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD).[6] The results of this trial were published in Frontiers in Psychiatry in 2025, finding that the active NET device produced a statistically significant reduction in opioid withdrawal symptoms compared to a sham device.[7] The study also concluded the device was safe and well-tolerated.[7]
A 12-week follow-up study was also published in 2025.[8] While its primary analysis found no difference in post-discharge use between the main groups, a secondary analysis found that participants who used the active device for more than 24 hours reported significantly lower use of opioids and psychostimulants.[8] The study's authors noted this secondary finding requires replication.[8]
Regulatory Status
The modern NET Device™ received 510(k) market clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on May 29, 2024.[2] The cleared indication for use is as a percutaneous nerve stimulator for patients experiencing opioid withdrawal.[2]
See Also
Meg Patterson
Cranial electrotherapy stimulation
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Patterson, Meg (1986). The Black Box. Grafton. OCLC 16867332. Search this book on
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "510(k) Premarket Notification - K233166". www.accessdata.fda.gov. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 29 May 2024. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ↑ Greene, Andy (17 October 2012). "Eric Clapton: My Life in 12 Songs". Rolling Stone.
- ↑ Giuliano, Geoffrey (2015-10-29). "The Who's Pete Townshend's Bizarre Rock 'n' Roll Life". Forbes. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ↑ "Neuro-electric therapy for opiate addiction". NHS Scotland. 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ↑ Winston, Joseph R.; Patterson, Sean M.; Arfken, Cynthia L.; Greenwald, Mark K. (December 2022). "A randomized, sham-controlled, quintuple-blinded trial to evaluate the NET device as an alternative to medication for promoting opioid abstinence". Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications. 30: 101004. doi:10.1016/j.conctc.2022.101004. PMC 9618177 Check
|pmc=value (help). PMID 36312984 Check|pmid=value (help). - ↑ 7.0 7.1 Winston, Joseph R.; Patterson, Sean M.; Flood, Noel V.; Arfken, Cynthia L.; Greenwald, Mark K. (2025). "A randomized, sham-controlled trial of the NET Device™ for residential opioid discontinuation". Frontiers in Psychiatry. 16. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1510428. PMC 11880230 Check
|pmc=value (help). PMID 40046990 Check|pmid=value (help). - ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Winston, Joseph R.; Patterson, Sean M.; Flood, Noel V.; Arfken, Cynthia L.; Greenwald, Mark K. (2025). "Post-Discharge Use of Opioids, Psychostimulants, and Treatment Medications Following Residential Opioid Discontinuation with NET Device™ Monotherapy". Frontiers in Psychiatry. 16. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1627267. Unknown parameter
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