Formed in Oakland, California by Scott Kelly, Dave Edwardson and Jason Roeder in 1985 as a hardcore punk band. Over the years their sound progressed towards a sludge/doom metal style that also included influences from dark ambient and industrial music as well as incorporating elements of folk music.

The band runs their own independent record label Neurot Recordings since the late 1990s.

In August 2022 the band announced that Scott Kelly was expelled from Neurosis in 2019.

Current lineup:
Dave Edwardson — bass (1985–present), vocals (1985–1992), backing vocals (1992–present), Moog synthesizer (1998–2000, 2004–2005)
Jason Roeder — drums (1985–present), percussion (1993–present)
Steve Von Till — guitar, vocals (1989–present), percussion (1993–2000)
Noah Landis — keyboards, synthesizers, effects, programming, samples, sounds (1995–present), backing vocals (1998–2000, 2006–present)

Former members:
Scott Kelly — vocals, guitar (1985–2019), percussion (1993–2000)
Chad Salter — guitar, backing vocals (1986–1989)
Simon McIlroy — keyboards, synthesizers, samples, programming, production, backing vocals (1990–1995), visual art (1990–1993)
Adam Kendall — visual artist (1990–1993)
Pete Inc. — visual artist (1993–2000)
Josh Graham — visual artist (2000–2012)