When people first hear about transcranial magnetic stimulation, their reaction is often understandable: You put a magnet near my head, and that is supposed to treat depression?
TMS may sound unusual, but it is not an alternative-wellness treatment or an ordinary magnet. It is an evidence-based medical treatment that uses carefully controlled magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain involved in mood regulation.
So, what is TMS therapy, and can it produce meaningful results for people living with depression?
Wondering whether TMS may be an option for you? Contact Resiliency Mind + Body Medicine to schedule an evaluation with our clinical team.
At a Glance
- TMS is an FDA-cleared medical treatment for major depressive disorder.
- It uses magnetic pulses to stimulate brain regions involved in mood.
- Research shows TMS can reduce symptoms for some people whose depression has not improved enough with medication.
- Some patients achieve remission, while others experience partial or limited improvement.
- A psychiatric evaluation is needed to determine whether TMS is appropriate for you.
What Is TMS Therapy?
Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a noninvasive form of brain stimulation. During treatment, a specialized device delivers repeated magnetic pulses through the scalp.
Those pulses influence nerve cells in areas and networks involved in depression, including parts of the prefrontal cortex associated with mood, motivation and emotional regulation.
At Resiliency Mind + Body Medicine, we use BrainsWay Deep TMS. Instead of a smaller figure-eight coil focused on one narrow target, BrainsWay uses a helmet-based H-Coil designed to stimulate a broader and deeper treatment area.
That difference matters because we view depression as involving connected neural networks rather than one isolated spot in the brain.
Is TMS Really Different From an Ordinary Magnet?
Very different.
A household magnet produces a static magnetic field. A TMS device produces carefully controlled, rapidly changing magnetic pulses at specific strengths and frequencies. Those pulses pass through the scalp and stimulate nerve cells without surgery, anesthesia, or an implanted device.
During treatment, you remain awake and can communicate with the treatment team. Most patients can return to their normal activities after each appointment.
So while “magnetic” is part of the name, TMS is a precisely delivered medical treatment rather than a general wellness therapy involving magnets.
Does TMS Actually Work for Depression?
The research behind BrainsWay Deep TMS gives us good reason to feel confident about its effectiveness.
A large post-marketing analysis looked at 1,351 patients treated with the BrainsWay H1-Coil in real-world psychiatric settings. Among patients with available outcome measurements, 81.6% met criteria for response and 65.3% reached remission after 30 treatment sessions. Even after 20 sessions, response was 73.6% and remission was 58.1%.
The results were also encouraging beyond the initial improvement. Among patients who responded, 84% maintained that response at their next assessment, while 80% of patients who reached remission remained in remission at the following assessment.
That is especially meaningful because these results came from patients receiving treatment in everyday clinical practices rather than only in a tightly controlled research setting.
What Do Response and Remission Mean?
When we talk about TMS outcomes, two words come up often: response and remission.
A response generally means depression symptoms have decreased by at least 50% on a standardized assessment.
Remission means symptoms have decreased enough that the patient falls below the assessment threshold for an active depressive episode.
These outcomes can translate into meaningful everyday changes: more energy, greater interest in activities, improved motivation or feeling more able to reconnect with work, relationships and routines.
How Quickly Can TMS Begin Working?
TMS typically works gradually rather than creating an immediate change after one session.
A standard course often involves appointments five days a week over several weeks. Many patients begin experiencing meaningful improvement as treatment progresses, with symptom relief often becoming noticeable within the first few weeks and continuing to build throughout the full course.
Early changes can be subtle. Patients may notice that they are:
- Getting out of bed more easily
- Feeling more interested in daily activities
- Completing tasks that previously felt overwhelming
- Sleeping more consistently
- Reconnecting with family or friends
Clinicians may also use standardized assessments to monitor progress throughout treatment.
Who May Be a Candidate for TMS?
TMS is often considered for people with major depressive disorder who have not received enough relief from antidepressant medication or who have had difficulty tolerating side effects.
A psychiatric evaluation will review your symptoms, diagnosis, treatment history, medications and relevant medical conditions. Insurance plans may also have specific eligibility requirements.
TMS does not necessarily replace medication or therapy. For some patients, it becomes one part of a broader psychiatric treatment plan
How Can You Find Out Whether TMS Is Right for You?
TMS isn’t an instant cure, but it is an established treatment that can produce meaningful outcomes for some people with depression.
The best way to understand your potential benefits is through an individualized evaluation. Resiliency Mind + Body Medicine provides physician-led psychiatric care and BrainsWay Deep TMS in Orange County, California.
Ready to explore your options? Contact Resiliency Mind + Body Medicine to request a TMS consultation.