Paris Jackson has revealed she underwent electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) as part of her treatment for declining mental health, describing the experience in detail during an appearance on Jay Shetty's "On Purpose" podcast. Jackson, 28, stated that she turned to ECT after trying numerous other treatments, including "a conveyor belt of medications" and visits to five different institutions.
She recalled her psychiatrist explaining that ECT is now performed under general anesthesia and is not as severe as historical treatments. Jackson underwent nine sessions over three weeks. She described the procedure as involving being knocked out, strapped down, fitted with a bite guard, and then subjected to an electric current. Jackson noted that the first few sessions were painful as medical staff determined the correct dosage of pain medication, describing the pain as the "most sharp" she had experienced inside her head.
Jackson reported that ECT led to significant side effects, including amnesia, which caused her to have no recollection of friends who visited her during treatment. She also mentioned that the procedure is intended to help with neuroplasticity in the brain and is considered a highly effective depression treatment.
She eventually decided to stop the treatment due to the long-term commitment required. Jackson stated that she was informed she would either need to remain on specific medications for life or continue monthly ECT sessions. "And I'm like, that's not going to f**king work for me," she said.
Jackson indicated that the experience inspired the cover art for her upcoming album, "Happiest Day Of My Life," set for release on August 21. She explained that she has been sober since January 2026 and currently approaches her mental health by integrating various tools she has learned over time, focusing on holistic health. She also shared that she has been seeing a behavior specialist for obsessive compulsive disorder.
In a previous interview with Rolling Stone in 2017, Jackson spoke about her past struggles with depression, drug abuse, and multiple suicide attempts. She detailed attending a therapeutic school in Utah, which she credited for helping her become a different person.
According to the Mayo Clinic, ECT is a procedure performed under general anesthesia that uses brief electric currents to intentionally cause a controlled seizure in the brain. This process can alter brain chemistry and improve symptoms of certain mental health conditions. The clinic notes that while the treatment carries stigma, it is much safer today than in its early forms, when high doses of electricity were administered without anesthetic, leading to more severe side effects.