Transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, is a noninvasive, FDA-cleared treatment that uses magnetic pulses to ease treatment-resistant depression without surgery or anesthesia.
Most side effects are mild and temporary, and knowing what to expect before, during, and after a session can make the process feel far less intimidating.
What is TMS Therapy?
TMS stands for transcranial magnetic stimulation, a noninvasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate brain regions involved in mood regulation [1]. It is FDA-cleared for treatment-resistant depression, along with OCD and several other conditions, and is typically considered after therapy or medication alone has not brought enough relief.
There is no surgery, no incision, and no anesthesia. A clinician positions a coil against the scalp while you sit in a chair, awake and alert for the entire visit.
Is TMS Therapy Safe?
TMS often gets confused with electroconvulsive therapy, but the two work in very different ways. ECT sends an electric current through the brain to intentionally trigger a seizure and requires anesthesia and a muscle relaxant.
TMS instead uses a magnetic field about as strong as an MRI scanner to gently stimulate a targeted brain region, with no sedation and no intended seizure. Research comparing the two treatments has found that people tolerate TMS better and report fewer side effects than with ECT, even though ECT can sometimes work faster for severe depression [2].
For most people, TMS is considered a safe, well-tolerated option.
What Are The Side Effects of TMS therapy?
The most common side effects are mild:
- Headache
- Discomfort at the site on the scalp where the coil rests
- Brief lightheadedness
In a review of TMS-related adverse events, headache occurred in about 7 percent of cases and scalp discomfort in about 3 percent, with serious side effects reported in roughly 1.5 percent [3].
Most symptoms ease the same day and often lessen further as your body adjusts over the first few sessions. Seizure is the most serious possible risk, which is why providers screen for metal implants, pacemakers, and seizure history before treatment even begins [4].
What Should I Expect Before a TMS Session?
Before starting, your care team completes an evaluation covering your health history, current medications, and any metal or electronic implants, since certain devices are incompatible with the magnetic field [4]. There is no need to fast or arrange a ride.
Most people eat normally, take their usual medications unless told otherwise, and drive themselves to the appointment. Wearing comfortable clothing and skipping a large dose of caffeine beforehand can make the visit a little easier.
What Should I Expect During a TMS Session?
During the session, you sit in a comfortable chair while a clinician positions a magnetic coil against your scalp near the front of your head, and you wear earplugs to protect your hearing from the clicking sound of the device.
You will feel a tapping or knocking sensation as the pulses are delivered. Sessions typically run anywhere from a few minutes to about 40 minutes, and a full course usually means daily visits five days a week for four to six weeks [1].
You stay awake the whole time, and many people read, listen to music, or simply rest in the chair.
What Should I Expect After a TMS Session?
Because TMS involves no anesthesia or sedation, there is no built-in recovery period. Most people drive themselves home, head back to work, and carry on with the rest of their day right after a session.
Mild scalp tenderness or a lingering headache is common early in treatment and usually settles with rest, water, or an over-the-counter pain reliever. If side effects feel severe or are not improving, please call your care team instead of waiting.
If you are considering TMS for yourself or someone you love, you deserve clear answers and a team that treats you as a whole person, not a diagnosis. Maple Mountain Mental Health and Wellness offers TMS therapy with exactly that kind of care.
Explore TMS and Whole-Person Care at Maple Mountain Recovery
If depression, OCD, or trauma has held on despite everything you’ve tried, you deserve care that goes deeper than another prescription. At Maple Mountain Recovery, we specialize in treatment-resistant conditions, the ones that need more than one tool to truly heal.
TMS is one of the ways we help, but it’s rarely the whole answer. We combine it with evidence-based therapies like CBT and DBT and, for severe, treatment-resistant depression, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. All our care takes a holistic approach that treats your mind, body, and the root causes underneath. Our small, private setting in the mountains of Utah means your care is built around you, never templated.
If you’re wondering whether TMS or another path might finally bring relief, let’s talk it through. Reach out to our team today for an honest conversation about what could work for you.
Sources
| [1] | National Institute of Mental Health. (2024). Brain stimulation therapies. National Institutes of Health. |
| [2] | Magnezi et al. (2016). Comparison between neurostimulation techniques repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation vs electroconvulsive therapy for the treatment of resistant depression: Patient preference and cost-effectiveness. Patient Preference and Adherence, 10, 1481–1487. |
| [3] | Overvliet et al. (2021). Adverse events of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in older adults with depression, a systematic review of the literature. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 36, 383–392. |
| [4] | U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2018). Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) systems: Class II special controls guidance for industry and FDA staff. |