If you have been researching alternatives to traditional depression treatments, you may be familiar with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). But what exactly does TMS do, and how can magnetic pulses help improve mental health?
TMS is a non-invasive treatment that uses electromagnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain associated with mood regulation. By influencing the activity of nerve cells and the communication between different brain regions, TMS may help reduce symptoms of depression and improve emotional well-being.
Although the technology might sound complicated, the basic concept is relatively simple. TMS uses a magnetic field to activate targeted areas of the brain, encouraging changes in the neural activity associated with depression.
Let's take a closer look at how TMS works, what happens during treatment, and what patients can expect.
How Does TMS Work?
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation works by using a specialized treatment device to deliver brief electromagnetic pulses to targeted areas of the brain.
The device has a treatment coil, sometimes called a wand, that is positioned against the patient's scalp. Electricity flows through the coil, generating a rapidly changing magnetic field. This magnetic field passes through the scalp and skull without requiring surgery or implants.
Once the magnetic pulses reach the targeted brain tissue, they induce small electrical currents that stimulate nerve cells, also known as neurons. These neurons are responsible for sending and receiving messages throughout the brain.
For individuals experiencing depression, certain brain regions involved in mood regulation may have altered activity and communication patterns. TMS is designed to influence these areas, helping encourage healthier patterns of brain activity over time.
The treatment is carefully targeted and customized to the individual. For depression, one commonly treated area is the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, a region involved in mood regulation, decision-making, and emotional processing.
Does TMS Give You Electric Shocks?
This is one of the most common questions people have when they first hear about electromagnetic stimulation.
The short answer is no. TMS does not deliver electric shocks to the patient's head.
Although electricity is involved in operating the treatment device, it is used to generate a magnetic field within the treatment coil. The magnetic field then passes through the scalp and skull to stimulate targeted nerve cells in the brain.
Unlike treatments that apply electrical current directly through electrodes attached to the body, TMS uses electromagnetic induction. This means the magnetic field creates small electrical currents within the targeted brain tissue without requiring electricity to be passed directly through the patient's scalp.
Patients typically remain awake and alert throughout their treatment sessions. There is no need for general anesthesia, sedation, or surgery.
You may feel a tapping or knocking sensation against your scalp as the magnetic pulses are delivered. Some patients also experience mild muscle contractions or twitching around the treatment area. These sensations are normal responses to the stimulation and are different from receiving an electric shock.
Why Does TMS Stimulate the Brain?
To understand what TMS does, it helps to understand the role of neurons.
Neurons are specialized nerve cells that communicate with one another through electrical and chemical signals. These signals help regulate everything from movement and memory to emotions, motivation, and mood.
When someone experiences depression, the activity and communication within certain brain networks may be disrupted. For example, areas of the prefrontal cortex involved in emotional regulation and cognitive processing can show altered activity.
TMS uses repeated magnetic pulses to stimulate targeted neurons and influence the activity of these brain networks.
Depending on the treatment protocol and the area being targeted, TMS can help increase or decrease neural activity. For depression, treatment commonly focuses on stimulating an area of the prefrontal cortex that may have reduced activity.
With repeated sessions, TMS may help encourage neuroplasticity, which is the brain's ability to adapt and form new connections. These changes can influence how different areas of the brain communicate and function.
Researchers are continuing to study the precise biological mechanisms behind TMS. However, clinical research supports its use as a treatment for major depressive disorder, particularly for individuals who have not experienced sufficient improvement with other treatments.
What Does the Muscle Twitch Have to Do With TMS?
You may have heard that TMS creates a response similar to a muscle twitch. This is a helpful way to understand how the technology works.
During the initial treatment setup, a provider typically determines the patient's motor threshold. This involves using magnetic stimulation over an area of the brain responsible for controlling movement. The provider observes a small physical response, often a movement or twitch of the thumb.
This response helps establish the appropriate stimulation intensity for the individual.
Although the brain is not a muscle, both the brain and muscles rely on electrical signaling. When TMS stimulates neurons involved in movement, those signals can travel along nerve pathways and produce a visible muscle response.
During treatment for depression, the coil is repositioned to target a different area of the brain involved in mood regulation.
Patients may also notice a tapping sensation or minor muscle twitching near the scalp during treatment. These sensations occur because the magnetic pulses can stimulate nerves and muscles near the treatment coil.
The motor threshold measurement helps providers personalize treatment settings rather than using the same stimulation intensity for every patient.
What Does TMS Do for Depression?
TMS is most commonly recognized for its use in treating major depressive disorder, especially treatment-resistant depression.
Traditional depression treatments, including antidepressant medications and psychotherapy, can be helpful for many individuals. However, not everyone experiences the results they need. Some people continue to experience symptoms despite trying multiple medications or other forms of treatment.
TMS offers another treatment option by directly targeting brain activity associated with depression.
By stimulating specific neural pathways, TMS may help improve symptoms such as:
Persistent sadness or low mood.
Loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable.
Low motivation and energy.
Difficulty concentrating.
Changes in sleep patterns.
Feelings of hopelessness.
Every patient responds differently, and TMS does not guarantee that all symptoms will disappear. However, research has demonstrated that many individuals with treatment-resistant depression experience meaningful improvement following a course of TMS treatment.
What Happens During a TMS Treatment Session?
One of the advantages of TMS is that it is a non-invasive, outpatient treatment. Patients do not need to undergo surgery or be put under anesthesia.
Although the exact process depends on the treatment protocol, a typical TMS session involves several steps.
1. Initial Consultation and Evaluation
Before beginning treatment, a qualified provider evaluates the patient's medical history, mental health symptoms, and previous treatment experiences. This helps determine whether TMS may be an appropriate option.
2. Personalized Treatment Setup
The provider determines the appropriate treatment location and stimulation intensity. This may include measuring the patient's motor threshold to establish an individualized treatment setting.
3. Magnetic Pulse Delivery
The treatment coil is positioned against the scalp, and the device delivers a series of electromagnetic pulses to the targeted brain region. Patients remain awake and can communicate with their provider throughout the session.
4. Return to Daily Activities
Once the session is complete, patients can generally return to their normal daily activities. No recovery period or anesthesia is typically required.
TMS treatment is usually completed through a series of sessions over several weeks. Consistency is important because the repeated stimulation is intended to encourage lasting changes in brain activity.
Explore TMS Therapy at Clear TMS+
Understanding what TMS does can make it easier to consider whether this treatment may be right for you or someone you care about.
At Clear TMS+, we understand that finding an effective mental health treatment can be challenging, especially when traditional approaches have not provided the relief you hoped for. Our team is committed to helping individuals explore treatment options that support their mental health and overall well-being.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation offers a non-invasive approach that uses targeted magnetic pulses to influence brain activity associated with depression. For eligible individuals, it may provide another path toward symptom relief and improved quality of life.
If you are interested in learning more about TMS therapy, contact Clear TMS+ to discuss your treatment options and schedule a consultation.
Clear TMS+
344 Cleveland Ave SE, Suite H
Tumwater, WA 98501
Phone: (360) 564-5824
Website: https://www.cleartmsplus.com/
National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Brain stimulation therapies. National Institutes of Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/brain-stimulation-therapies/brain-stimulation-therapies
Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Transcranial magnetic stimulation. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation/about/pac-20384625
