Fisher Wallace Laboratories
reviews and complaints

Hello, There are many positives to this product and a few negatives. I am giving 5-stars because I believe the positives outweigh the negatives (and I want to get a free pack of sponges), however, I do hope that some of these notes get to management. It has worked great for calming me and putting me to sleep. I have had great sleep when using it. However, the device does seem like it was made in the 1980s which has always confused me because their web-presence and online sales process is super solid, so it's a shame they haven't put more effort into their product. One note that needs to be addressed is that it doesn't turn off automatically. This is a fairly easy change to implement and would drastically improve the user experience as it's a device meant to put you to sleep and if it stays on all night your batteries run dry. FW is overly focused on sales/capital raises and not focused enough on product/user-experience. This is the reason why I would definitely hesitate before buying another product from them. FDA clearance and discounts for veterans are great but it's not enough to show your customers that your true inner purpose is to improve people's lives. The leader, Kelly or whoever, needs to be focused 100% on that and great things will happen. Sincerely

This device has been a life saver for me, literally. I am a mom of two in my 50s with a very stressful job (two actually). I am grateful for all I have but have a family history of depression. Used correctly and consistently, it has helped lift me from serious depression and sleep better. For me, consistent use of 20 min once per day for a month, resulted in substantial improvement. I no longer use it consistently but when I need to, 20 min at bedtime for a week seems sufficient. I am sure that 2x per day as recommended could help with the most serious depression. The device itself has a few design flaws. The electrodes that go under the headband are a bit fragile. Once I pulled something too hard and had to call and ask for one new electrode. The company rep was courteous and promptly sent a replacement. But it is totally worth the hassle of getting a new part once a year (or being more careful) as the cost is less than a year of med copays and more therapy for me. I am no longer searching for the perfect prescription med. it does not exist for me. The side effects of everything I have been prescribed outweigh any positive benefit from prescription anti-depressants. This device seems to increase blood flow to parts of my brain that feel cut off when so much of it goes to a negative place. It feels like it is awakening positive blood flow within. Coupled with meditation and talk therapy once a month, it is a terrific non-invasive, no meds solution for depression.

I'm a careful and somewhat skeptical person, if not meticulous, than at least careful. I'd looked at the Fisher Wallace device a number of times and finally decided to order one in December . I wasn't at my lowest (by any means) then but decided that not only was the time right, but so was the price.I noted on the whiteboard in my office that I commenced using the device Wednesday, 10 December and found the sessions short and non-disruptive. I had no boundless high hopes but was willing to go through the motions, one way or the other.At roughly the two-week ***, I noticed a definite lightening of the mood that had hung over me (occupied me? possessed me?) for months and months--and which, to be honest, I'd been subject to for roughly 60 years, on and off, off and on. By 1 December I was as normally cheerful as I've ever been and now, two months in, that cheerful mood continues--despite those ol' vicissitudes of life.I wondered going in about the placebo effect, "a beneficial health outcome resulting from a persons anticipation that an intervention will help," as it's defined. Given the slow shifting upward of my mood and, frankly, that gradual lifting of the curtain of darkness, which was quite perceptible and not sudden or earth-shattering, I don't feel that the placebo effect is involved in my situation.In any case, I'm quite satisfied--happy, in fact--with the device and would recommend it to anyone similarly situated. Recommend it highly, for that matter.

This product gave me Dementia. I returned it in perfect condition after a week. No one answers the phone, but the return label was sent to me within 24 hours, so that was good. No questions asked. I called several times for at least 2 weeks to find out if the product had been received yet. Finally, a young man (like a family member maybe?) answered with little customer service skills. That's ok. He was polite, but when he told me he didn't know if the product had been received or not, I knew it was the owner's son likely on his mid-week phone call shift. When asked why he didn't know, he said, the returns department hasn't come in yet. LOL! I asked when do they come in? He said maybe Thursday or Friday! :) This is likely some guy's product that hasn't done too well and he has family covering every few days of the week. My daughter comes to do returns every few weeks or so. When I emailed to ask why 5 weeks for the refund, the answer was because it's a medical device. Come 'on. Please don't insult me. Yet, still no refund. It's been 4 weeks. I realize they are robbing *** to pay ***. They gotta pay one month's bills with your money and then they send a check to make sure it takes even longer to put back in your account. That's obvious when their website states 5 weeks for a refund. Too bad they are having that level of financial problems that they can't refund people right away like normal business in the 90's, oh yeah, this is the new millenia. These reviews should be heeded. Find something else. Don't zap your brain cells.

I have had a FW device since 2013, using it to treat my clinical depression. It did not work for me and in fact, I started having memory loss. I tried placing the contact points away from the memory centers of my brain (the prefrontal cortex where they have you affix the contact pads), behind my ear instead. The loss of memory eased, but there was no improvement with the depression. In terms of FW service, I did send my unit in for inspection and it took forever to get it back. I quit using this device back in 2017. My guess is they get these devices made for about $20 or so and then turn around and sell them for $700. Nice profit margin for a device of questionable efficacy. Here is a somewhat dated *** article on this device: *** . I think the advice at the end of the article is still valid: buyer beware. I don't trust so called studies that FW lists on its website, especially since you can't find the study published anywhere in any journals, independent of what they disclose on their website. I wish there was an independent study, published in a scientific journal (not on the FW website with their marketing spin), like this one on ***. I think there needs to be a lot more independent research on these devices to prove their efficacy. There is a reason insurance DOES NOT cover the cost of these devices.

Late in life I developed depression from a traumatic experience being the nervous type anyway. I saw this device as help to me as advertised for insomnia and to treat depression. The only problem I had with purchasing the devise was the medical professional charge was not written off as I was told it would be. Letting that go I received the device and began using it on the 2ma charge for some two weeks. Now I use it twice daily a 4ma and find it does make me sleepy. I'm feeling I sleep better just seems I don't need as much sleep maybe because I'm sleeping better. I'm not experiencing utopia and was not promised so. I haven't been really down as I had been at one time and enjoy using the device. I notice my eyes flashing in the background while it's on and can tell when it finishes as the lite flashing disappears. The unit is flawless as it shuts off in 20 minutes as it was told it would. Electric shock is used for depression at a much higher dose, this was one of the reasons I purchased the unit. I believe it takes longer to see improvement be cause of the lower charge. I feel a slight bite while turning it on but nothing at all unpleasant. I intend to purchase stock in the company as a co. that in time will be appreciated for it's value. The meds for depression usually give me a headache and I was told I had a chemical imbalance causing the depression but never was i told what chemical it was. Just take this and see what happens. A total crapshoot and not knocking any one. People expect too much as I saw in some of the complaints. We're a bunch of spoiled people who need to quit whining.

I've suffered from treatment-resistant depression for 40 years. When I first purchased the Fisher Wallace device I noticed a reduction in general anxiety and significant improvement in my sleep cycle and overall ability to fall asleep. Unfortunately, the positive effects of using the device tapered off dramatically after about a year which is the nature of treatment-resistant depression. Some people might not experience the same drop in effectiveness. Unfortunately, there are broader problems with the build quality of the device itself especially considering the high price Fisher Wallace is charging, the grossly overpriced accessories, and the poor after-sales support from Fisher Wallace. My device started to act up in a number of ways after barely more than a year of use. Sometimes it won't power on unless I click the on/off dial multiple times. Sometimes my device powers off without the tone sounding that's supposed to indicate the end of the 20-minute session. Sometimes the device just stays on long after the automatic shut off period. I contacted Fisher Wallace but they take an *** attitude towards customer support and think I should just buy another unit from them which is definitely not something I can afford. The replacement sponges you will need since the sponges are supposed to be replaced after every week of use are expensive. The velcro headband wears out too quickly losing the ability to stay fastened on your head which makes it useless. Official replacement headbands from Fisher Wallace are also expensive. The Fisher Wallace device isn't a bargain and it isn't as well made as you might expect given the premium price.

Thank you very much. May *** continue to bless all of you at Fisher-Wallace. My name is ***. I have been dealing with my major depression for about 25 years. I have tried many different antidepressants. Some were more effective than others. I haven gone to mental health counseling off and on for many many years. Together, counseling and medications have helped me tremendously. However, there was never a time where I did feel quite normal. Close, but not quite. I still had issues even when my doctors and myself believed my depression was in remissions. I have been using the stimulation device for less than two weeks now. I truly feel better now than I have ever remembered feeling before in my life. I have found my new normal. I FEEL normal. I FEEL!You people are a blessing. I was skeptical before I ordered the device. I was at a point where emotionally I was on the precipice of losing complete control in the worst way. I didnt have anything more to lose except my life. I was skeptical for the first few days as I began to use the device.As I used the device, day by day, I started feeling better. In contrast, it took weeks and even months with antidepressants and counseling for me to even notice feeling better. Today, I feel joy. Real joy for the first time in decades. I feel hope in my life. I feel again. I have never written or submitted a review of any product I have purchased or were given. Good or bad. I would absolutely recommend the Fisher-Wallace device for any person suffering, as I did, with depression. The cost of the device is negligible compared to the price I paid suffering for so long with major depression. Thank you again.

I was initially nervous about using a machine that requires you to put wet sponges on your head. After using it for the first time the nervousness went away. The first few days that I used this machine any tension or anxiety I felt was completely gone. It was the most calm I ever felt. After a few weeks that initial feeling was present all the time, not just after using the machine. Two months later and have more mental calmness than ever. I suffer from OCD and depression. While I still have OCD sometimes, it is much more manageable now than it was when I was on medication. Since using the machine I was able to stop Welbutrin, which I was on for 10 years. I decreased another medication by 50%. I feel better than I did even when I was on both medications. I am slowly coming off my current medication completely. I think it works for sleep. I can't really tell as I take a medication whose side effect is sleepiness. I won't know for sure until I am completely off that medication. Before using this machine I thought I was going to be stuck on medication for my whole life. I can't say enough good things about this machine and have recommended it to a few friends and family. If you have anxiety, depression or OCD I would suggest trying this machine. If it doesn't work you can get a full refund. It looks like I will have to use this machine for the rest of my life to keep the depression away but it is much better than being on medication forever. I really think this type of technology is the way of the future, and will make medication obsolete. The only drawback currently is the price, otherwise I think this machine would be used as a front line treatment for depression, before giving medication.

I am so glad I didn't read some of these bad reviews before I bought my Fisher Wallace or I might never have gotten off antidepressants after over 20 years! There are over 500 reviews of success stories on the website so I don't really understand these negative reviews. I have had nothing but positive interactions with this company! In 2017 I was trying to wean down off my antidepressant for the hundredth time and saw this device advertised. I started researching it and when I saw it go on sale, I decided to go for it. It was a little scary using an unfamiliar treatment like this but I figured it couldn't be any worse than the mind altering prescriptions I had been taking for decades with all their side effects! I was finally able to wean completely off the antidepressant with the use of the Fisher Wallace device after unsuccessful attempts too numerous to count! I used it for about a year and then since I was feeling so good decided to stop for awhile. Two years later in the year from hell 2020, I started feeling depression and anxiety again. I pulled out my Fisher Wallace device and started using it again for 20 minutes once a day. Within a week, I was feeling so much better again and now it's been a month and I feel great! Sleeping much better too! I have had many people ask if they can buy my device from me but I will never sell it. It's the main thing that helped me succeed in being drug free after 23 years on meds! I haven't been on any meds for 3 and 1/2 years now! I haven't had any negative side effects from using the device either only positive ones! I'm so grateful for this therapy! I would suggest going to the website and reading the hundreds of reviews if you are interested. Thank you, Fisher Wallace! A++++ company!

If I could afford to invest in this machine I would! I believe the caveat to this machine is making sure you are in a tranquil, calm environment to be on it. And, when you are full Hypomania...well...it just doesnt work. But, when I can calm myself long enough to center my mind of all thoughts; not only does it work, it puts me to sleep like clockwork every time. I have been sleepless and on sleeping aids for over 30 years. I dont sleep without one! My husband has observed my tone of voice is lower when I come off this machine. He said he can visibly notice my posture and body language is different after the use of this machine. I am calm, so far at my longest, of three weeks without having to use the machine again. And, I know when I am getting to a point in my mind when I need to get on it again. No suicidal thoughts from medications that dont work at all! I really cannot rave ENOUGH about this machine. I have had suicidal thoughts my entire life since I was 12 . They just dont happen when I am using this machine. It is a life saver. I am SO glad that my HSA could pay for it. It has changed my life. My kids life. My marriage. I'm in tears writing this because I watched the doctors story; and my daughter went into medicine hoping to cure me in my lifetime. What a WONDERFUL gift you have given my children. The gift of a mom that they not only wants to be around, but, they enjoy being around me again and it hasn't been like this in over 15 years. Anyone who has tried and didnt think it works. Dont give up on it! I AM THE WORST PESSIMIST IN THE WORLD AND I SAY PLEASE DONT GIVE UP ON IT! You may have to play with it until you get it right for you, but, it works! I am a real person...this is not a paid review in ANY WAY. The fact that you even are thinking of using this means that you will believe in it and that is half the battle with us! Try it. Get healthy! Make today the first day towards getting your mind back and life!

I received my device and used it one time. I felt an overall lessening of muscle tension in my head, neck and shoulders, which was positive as I have a lot of back/body pain from depression. When I was taking the device apart to put back in the case I tried to unsnap the sponge receptacle from one of the wires. The sponge receptacle broke at the place where it plugs into the wire. I called the number from their website and left messages twice (Nov 4, Nov 5) explaining what happened and asked to be contacted about getting the issue resolved. No one ever called me back. I decided to order another set of the sponge receptacles ($32 + s/h) instead of waiting for a call back. I received the package in a timely fashion. I then tried to snap my wire into one of the new sponge holders and it would not connect - snap into place. I tried every configuration - could not get it to snap onto the wire. I went to their website and proceeded to chat online with a customer service person. I explained the problem to her. She said she could see that I just had new sponge holders delivered that same day. I told her again that they did not fit - snap on. By the time this happened I had already make my first payment to *** (financing co.) The rep was not empathetic/ sympathetic. I asked if they could send a new unit, credit me back the cost of the sponge holders and/or send me new ones expedited. She replied she would submit my request to her supervisor. I asked if she thought the supervisor would approve it. She said it depends on the supervisor, but probably not. She told me she would get back to me in an email with the resolution. I received an email on 11/11: The *** tracking number for your replacement item is xxx. Best Regards, Customer Success Team Fisher Wallace Laboratories There was nothing in the email about what they are sending me. I'm guessing they're sending a new wire? I have to say I'm pretty disappointed about them not returning my calls and the way I was treated by the online customer service rep and her follow through. I want to use this device to see if it helps, but so far I've had to wait for resolution for 2 weeks.

I suffered from insomnia for a little over two years. In my search for sleep I tried every herbal supplement offered on ***. Sometimes a supplement seemed to put me to sleep but after a week it stopped working. I also tried Alprazolam which worked great, however it negatively affected my memory and it is also slightly addictive, therefore at most I would take it once out of every four nights. I also tried *** however I only had a 60% chance of sleeping well. I ordered the Fisher Wallace Stimulator because the reviews on the ComplaintsBoard.com were pretty good and because of their money back guarantee, which I fully intended on using. I decided to give up the sleeping medication when I started administering the Fisher Wallace Stimulator so that the results wouldn't be co-mingled. I didn't sleep for the first two nights but by the third night, I was able to get some sleep. Within a week, I was sleeping well and consistently. Within a month, I was sleeping through the night and waking up refreshed. This device is nothing short of a miracle for me but I don't think that it works for everyone. There are so many different reasons why people have insomnia from sleep hygiene to anxiety. I suspect that I had insomnia because of a small stroke that I had. Over 50% of stroke survivors find that they have insomnia afterwards. (***). I spoke to a doctor during a free consultation at a Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (***) center outside of ***, . He told me that the Fisher Wallace Stimulator is a *** (Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation) device which is essentially the baby brother to the *** device. Although the devices work differently, they have the same effect, although the *** device is much weaker. I never needed to try *** because the Fisher Wallace Stimulator did the trick for me. I suggest that if you suffered from a stroke and have insomnia, then give the Fisher Wallace Stimulator a try. If it doesn't work, then go to a clinic and get the more powerful *** treatments. I would like to thank Fisher Wallace for creating a device that has made a tremendous difference for me! Thank you!

I decided to try the Fisher Wallace when I had to stop my depression meds due to side effects. The device seemed to do the trick and after a couple months of use I was able to stop using it as my depression had improved. When I contacted the company about the free replacement sponges during the trial period, they did respond and I did receive those. But when I tried to contact the company just before the end of my trial window with a question I had about the placing of the sponges and if it was normal that my eyesight would go wiggly during us, I didn't hear back. I had hoped to hear back while I was still in the trial period, but in the end decided to let the trial period lapse and keep the unit anyway. I used it through June and July. I resumed use of the device this month (November ) when I noticed my depression was returning. I stopped using it when I became manic and couldn't sleep for 4 days; I am now on medical leave while I adjust to a new medicine to treat this. Not sure if my use of the device was a cause of or simply a correlation with the recent and new-for-me mania or not. I had not had this happen to me prior to this occasion, however. If this negative experience hadn't happened around the same time as I resumed the device's use, I would have given it higher ratings as a viable option for those who are not able to treat depression with other means. I agree with others who feel the customer service seems spotty and the cost seems high for a device that looks as if it cost $8 to make and appears likely to break with limited use. The tactics used to gain customers (count-downs for discount deadlines on ***) should have been a red flag to me as to its degree reputability. But then again, I felt desperate and out of options at the time. And I would be willing to overlook all this if I the benefits of use had been prolonged. But for me they were not. In short, I am hesitant to rate this as highly as I might have otherwise, given my recent symptoms and the company's degree of responsiveness to my former inquiry. However, it did give some relief the first time I used it. If there was a way to give the company 2.5 stars, that would be my choice of rating.

I purchased the device late January based on the recommendation of a therapist and my internist who believes the technology is beneficial. On those recommendations I invested in the device. My husband and I both tried although the effects were not as noticeable for him as for me. I did feel mildly better and sleep improved which is positive given our current family crisis circumstances. I am a high-scorer in Paces Connection and suffered with anxiety/depression for most of my adult life spending $1,000's on therapy and medication, mostly 100% out of pocket. I'll continue to use this and hopefully have improvements over time.I went to use the device after being away from it for 1 month (death in family) and I thought the device was broken but it turns out the sponges needed to be replaced. Customer support didn't help with this they recommended we replace the $50 wires. I tried replacing the sponges and it works now. Like some of the other reviews, the reimbursables and short warranty on them is not great (2 months for the $$ wires). I did receive a coupon offer but the special coupon code was never sent. Can someone call me? I would like to use it. I left a message.The next update looks like an improvement. I'd be interested in upgrading but the $1,500 cost is outside of my price range. A trade-in would be a great way to support pre-existing customers- like Apple products- and keep us "happy". An accessory upgrade for the headband would be ideal. I've contemplated making my own... Adding finishing to the ends would prevent the unsightly unraveling. The storage pouch needs a better way to pocket the sponges - those are low-cost items to ensure the protection of the very expensive device. I worry that the expensive reimbursables - wires/sponges - will be damaged by the lack of moisture separation within the bag for the wet sponges and electrical parts.Otherwise, it's good and I'll keep using. I have other friends suffering with depression and this is an excellent time to be making this product more available. Personal therapy is difficult to obtain due to Covid overload on the healthcare system. I venture that there will be a generation of need for this technology.Suggestions: - Strongly recommend improving the engineering and hard case design of the product. I've worked with product designers on high-tech devices creating the plates and branding for the casing for my clients and this one is 20-years dated.- Would like a breathing app to sync with the effects on my iWatch so I can watch the visualization - which would help make the entire experience better better. Possibly track my time on the device and results similar to *** apps. - Provide an upgrade program to customers.- Expand accessories and access to them on the website (difficult to locate). Perhaps a link to purchasing testers in the event the wires are faulty? - Website needs updating to reflect a more sophisticated design reflective of expectations with the price point. It's also difficult to navigate.- Provide customer *** form after 25 days with the product.