What Is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation?

What Does a Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Session Feel Like?

TMS is usually performed in a doctor’s office or clinic setting, and no anesthesia is required. “An individual can come into the clinic on their own. You do not need to have a friend or family member bring you to or from treatments,” says Subramanian.

Before your first TMS treatment, your health provider will perform measurements of your head to determine the best location for the magnet as well as the optimal dosage of energy, according to Mayo Clinic.

You’ll wear earplugs to protect your hearing and sit in a reclining chair that’s located underneath or beside a magnetic coil. Then, a technician will position the magnet coil on your head. When the machine is turned on, you’ll hear a clicking noise and feel quick tapping sensations on your scalp, per Mayo Clinic.

“It feels like someone tapping on your head repeatedly for a few minutes, so it’s not necessarily pleasant, but overall, it’s pretty easy to tolerate,” explains Weissman.

A typical treatment session can last from 3.5 to 20 minutes. This varies by the type of stimulation pattern used, per Mayo Clinic. When your treatment is complete, you can drive yourself home and resume normal activities, states the University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Medicine in Chapel Hill.

A typical treatment course includes daily TMS sessions five days a week for four to six weeks, according to UC San Diego Health.

Although some patients may respond to treatments during the first half of the treatment course, others might not notice improvements in their symptoms right away, Subramanian adds.

“It is best to take treatment one week at a time,” she explains. “As of now, we have no way to predict who is going to respond or not. Sometimes, we do not see individuals respond until weeks five or six.”

While there are currently no guidelines on how often to undergo TMS after the initial series of treatments, Weissman says most providers do offer some form of maintenance therapy, but it’s typically quite limited by insurance coverage.

According to UC San Diego Health and Cleveland Clinic, possible side effects of TMS include:

• Headache
• Mild pain at the site of stimulation
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Involuntary eye blinking or facial muscle contractions during treatment
• Temporary ringing in the ears or sound sensitivity

These side effects usually go away within a day or so, according to UC San Diego Health.

Seizures are a rare but serious potential side effect of TMS. Research shows the risk of developing a seizure during the entire course of TMS therapy is about 0.1 percent.

How to Find a Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Provider

If you’re considering TMS, Weissman says your starting point would ideally be a psychiatrist if you have one. If you don’t currently see a psychiatrist, contacting your primary care physician is a good start.

Weissman adds that while his center accepts referrals for TMS from both psychiatrists and primary care doctors, some facilities allow patients to self-refer.

If you’re having trouble finding a provider who performs TMS in your area, Weissman suggests searching for TMS programs at nearby academic centers. You could also locate a TMS provider in your area through online directories like the one offered by the Clinical TMS Society.

How to Prepare for a Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Session

Prior to trying TMS, Weissman recommends contacting your health insurance company to see if the treatment is covered under your plan. “It’s not cheap. Each treatment can be hundreds of dollars, and the cost varies depending on the clinic and type of device,” he says.

After you confirm whether your health insurance will cover your TMS treatment, you’ll meet with a psychiatrist who’s trained in TMS, Subramanian says. During this visit, you’ll discuss your medical history and any medications you’re taking. If you currently take medication, your psychiatrist will let you know if any of your medication dosages need to be adjusted before you begin the therapy, she adds.

Before your first treatment, there’s very little prep needed. But because TMS creates a magnetic field, you will be asked to remove potentially magnetic-sensitive items, such as jewelry or credit cards, states Stanford Medicine.

Who Shouldn’t Try Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation?

Some people are not candidates for TMS, such as individuals who have a history of epilepsy or seizures or those with certain metal or implanted devices, such as cochlear implants, per Cleveland Clinic. But people with braces or dental fillings can receive TMS, Stanford Medicine notes.