What happens when you pause a session?

Life rarely gives you a perfectly uninterrupted 20 minutes. A call comes in, the doorbell rings, or you just need to adjust the headset. You can pause the session using the Mave app at any time, but because active neurostimulation is involved, pausing works a bit differently than hitting stop on a podcast or a video.

A Gradual Power Down

When you pause the session, the electrical current does not cut off immediately. Instead, the device takes about 10 seconds to gently ramp down the electrical field. We designed it this way intentionally. A sudden drop in current can cause an uncomfortable spike or prickling sensation. This gradual taper ensures the pause is smooth and physically comfortable before you take the headset off.

The 5-Minute Window

Once the device powers down, a timer starts. You have a 5-minute window to take care of the interruption and tap resume. If you do, the headset smoothly ramps the current back up and picks up the timer exactly where you left off.

If your interruption takes longer than 5 minutes, the app will automatically end the session. As soon as the current pauses, your brain essentially begins to "cool down." While you can recover that momentum within a short 5-minute window, waiting any longer causes the effects to fade.

This biological drop-off is exactly why two separate 10-minute blocks do not equal one 20-minute session. The early minutes of a session are spent in priming your neurons and the actual structural shifts depend on cumulative, sustained stimulation. Breaking the session in half means you lose that buildup and have to start over. Your brain needs an unbroken stretch of time to properly engage the target networks.

Starting Fresh

If your session times out, you are not locked out of using the device for the rest of the day. You can simply leave the headset, take care of whatever needs your attention, and start a brand-new 20-minute session from scratch when you are ready.