Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, or TMS, is a non-invasive treatment that uses targeted magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. It's FDA-cleared for major depression, OCD, anxious depression, and smoking cessation, and is most often recommended for patients who haven't responded to multiple antidepressant medications.
A typical TMS course involves 30 to 36 daily sessions over six to nine weeks. Each session lasts 20 to 40 minutes depending on the protocol, and patients remain awake and alert throughout — most read, listen to music, or watch videos during treatment. There's no anesthesia, no sedation, and no recovery time, so patients can drive themselves home and return to work the same day.
Common side effects are mild and limited to scalp discomfort or headaches during the first week of treatment, which usually resolve on their own. Unlike medication, TMS doesn't cause weight gain, sexual dysfunction, or sedation.
Most major insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover TMS for treatment-resistant depression after documentation of medication trials. Coverage for OCD and other indications varies by carrier. Clinics in our directory offering TMS are equipped with FDA-cleared devices from manufacturers including Neuronetics (NeuroStar), MagVenture, BrainsWay, and others.
