When people first hear about Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), one of their biggest questions is often how long the treatment has been around. Because TMS is a relatively new option for many people exploring mental health treatments, it may seem like an experimental or recently developed technology.
However, TMS has a much longer history than many people realize. The technology was first developed in 1985, and researchers have spent decades studying its effects on the brain and its potential to treat depression and other mental health conditions.
Today, TMS is an established, FDA-cleared treatment option for certain conditions, including major depressive disorder. Understanding the history of TMS can help explain how the treatment developed, what researchers have learned, and why it has become an important option in modern mental health care (Marder et al., 2022).
When Was TMS First Developed?
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation was first developed in 1985 by British physicist Anthony Barker and his research team at the University of Sheffield in England.
Their work introduced a new way to stimulate the human brain without surgery or direct electrical contact. Using a specialized electromagnetic device, researchers were able to generate magnetic pulses that passed through the scalp and skull to stimulate the brain's motor cortex, the region responsible for controlling voluntary movement.
During these early experiments, researchers demonstrated that magnetic stimulation could produce a physical response, such as movement in a person's hand. This was an important scientific breakthrough because it showed that magnetic fields could be used to influence activity in the human brain without invasive procedures (Marder et al., 2022).
Initially, TMS was primarily used as a research tool to study the brain, nerve pathways, and neurological function. However, scientists soon began exploring whether the technology could have applications beyond neurological research.
Researchers identified potential effects of TMS on mood as early as 1987, just two years after the technology was introduced. This discovery helped spark further interest in using magnetic stimulation to study and potentially treat depression (Marder et al., 2022).
How Did TMS Become a Treatment for Depression?
After the initial development of TMS, researchers began investigating whether magnetic stimulation could influence brain regions involved in emotional regulation and mood.
By the early 1990s, scientists were exploring the possibility of using repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) to treat depression. Unlike the original single-pulse TMS used in early experiments, repetitive TMS delivers multiple magnetic pulses in carefully controlled patterns.
This advancement was significant because repeated stimulation can influence brain activity beyond the immediate treatment session.
In 1993, researchers published an early clinical study examining the potential antidepressant effects of repetitive TMS in patients with depression. Additional clinical studies followed throughout the 1990s, helping establish the foundation for larger research trials (Marder et al., 2022).
One area of particular interest was the prefrontal cortex, a region of the brain involved in mood regulation, decision-making, and emotional processing. Researchers began investigating how stimulating specific areas of the prefrontal cortex could help address the altered brain activity associated with depression.
Over time, clinical research demonstrated that TMS could provide meaningful benefits for some individuals experiencing major depressive disorder, particularly those who had not responded adequately to traditional antidepressant medications.
These findings helped move TMS from an experimental research technique toward a potential clinical treatment.
When Did the FDA Clear TMS for Depression?
A major milestone in the history of TMS occurred in October 2008, when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the first TMS system for treating major depressive disorder in certain patients.
This regulatory milestone followed decades of scientific research, clinical studies, and technological development.
The initial FDA clearance applied to adults with major depressive disorder who had not experienced satisfactory improvement from at least one antidepressant medication during their current depressive episode (Marder et al., 2022).
This was an important development because it gave patients and healthcare providers another treatment option when traditional approaches were not providing adequate relief.
Since 2008, TMS technology and treatment protocols have continued to evolve. Additional devices and treatment approaches have received FDA clearance for specific indications, including certain protocols for obsessive-compulsive disorder and smoking cessation.
The growing body of research has also helped establish TMS as an important treatment option within modern psychiatric care (Marder et al., 2022).
How Has TMS Technology Improved Over the Years?
Like many medical technologies, TMS has changed considerably since its introduction in 1985.
Early TMS machines were relatively large, had limitations in how quickly they could deliver magnetic pulses, and were primarily designed for scientific research. As technology advanced, researchers and manufacturers developed more sophisticated equipment capable of delivering repetitive magnetic stimulation with greater precision and consistency.
Some of the most important developments include:
Repetitive Magnetic Stimulation: Early TMS devices delivered individual magnetic pulses. The development of repetitive TMS allowed researchers to administer multiple pulses in controlled sequences, making it possible to investigate longer-lasting changes in brain activity.
Improved Treatment Targeting: Researchers have developed better ways to identify the specific areas of the brain associated with depression. This has helped providers position treatment coils more accurately and personalize stimulation settings.
Advanced Treatment Protocols: Newer protocols have introduced different stimulation frequencies and patterns. These advancements have made it possible to deliver treatment using different approaches, including shorter treatment sessions.
Expanded Clinical Research: Decades of clinical studies have helped researchers better understand how TMS works, which patients may benefit, and how treatment protocols can be optimized.
These advancements have helped make TMS more accessible and practical for patients seeking alternatives to traditional depression treatments (Marder et al., 2022).
Is TMS Still Considered an Experimental Treatment?
Because TMS may be unfamiliar to many people, it is understandable that patients sometimes wonder whether it is still experimental.
Although research into new applications and treatment protocols is ongoing, TMS is an established, FDA-cleared treatment for specific mental health and behavioral health conditions.
Its use for major depressive disorder is supported by decades of scientific investigation and clinical research. The American Psychiatric Association has also recognized its growing role in psychiatric care, particularly for individuals with treatment-resistant depression (Marder et al., 2022).
In addition, a 2023 evidence report commissioned by the Washington State Health Care Authority reviewed available clinical research on TMS for several behavioral health conditions. This report reflects the continued scientific evaluation of TMS and its potential applications in healthcare (Washington State Health Care Authority, 2023).
It is important to understand that FDA clearance applies to specific devices and treatment protocols for particular conditions. Not every proposed use of TMS has the same level of research or regulatory authorization.
For patients considering treatment, a qualified provider can help determine whether an appropriate FDA-cleared TMS protocol is available for their individual needs.
How Long Has TMS Been Used to Treat Depression?
Looking specifically at its use for depression, TMS has been studied for more than 30 years.
Early research began in the 1990s, and the first FDA clearance for depression came in 2008. That means patients in the United States have had access to an FDA-cleared TMS treatment for depression for approximately 18 years as of 2026.
Since then, continued research and technological advancements have expanded the treatment options available to eligible patients.
Today, TMS is commonly considered for individuals who have not experienced sufficient improvement with antidepressant medications or who are looking for another approach to managing depression.
Unlike medication, which works through chemical processes throughout the body, TMS uses targeted magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain associated with mood regulation. Repeated stimulation can influence neural activity and the communication between connected brain regions (Marder et al., 2022).
Treatment is non-invasive, does not require surgery or general anesthesia, and allows patients to remain awake during their sessions.
Explore TMS Treatment at Clear TMS+
TMS has come a long way since its development in 1985. What began as a scientific tool for studying brain activity has evolved into an established treatment option for individuals experiencing depression.
More than four decades of research have helped advance the technology, improve treatment protocols, and expand our understanding of how magnetic stimulation can influence brain function.
For individuals who have struggled to find relief through traditional depression treatments, TMS may offer another option worth exploring.
At Clear TMS+, we believe understanding your treatment options is an important part of making informed decisions about your mental health. Our team is here to help you learn more about Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, how it works, and whether it may be appropriate for you.
If you are interested in learning more about TMS therapy, contact Clear TMS+ to schedule a consultation and discuss your options.
Clear TMS+
344 Cleveland Ave SE, Suite H
Tumwater, WA 98501
Phone: (360) 564-5824
Website: https://www.cleartmsplus.com/
References
Marder, K. G., Barbour, T., Ferber, S., Idowu, O., & Itzkoff, A. (2022). Psychiatric applications of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. Focus, 20(1), 8–18. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.20210021
Washington State Health Care Authority. (2023). Transcranial magnetic stimulation for treatment of selected behavioral disorders: Final evidence report. https://www.hca.wa.gov/assets/program/TMS-final-report.pdf
