TMS FAQs

Transcranial magnetic stimulation, often referred to as TMS is a non-drug, noninvasive procedure that uses focused magnetic fields to revitalize underactive areas of the brain to improve symptoms of depression. NeuroStar is a safe, effective depression treatment used when antidepressant medications haven’t been effective or have ceased working. 

NeuroStar uses focused magnetic pulses (similar in strength to an MRI), to revitalize underactive areas of the brain involved in regulating mood. When these regions are underactive, depression can result. “Waking up” these regions can have a lasting effect on depression, making long-term remission from depression a reality for many people.

A typical NeuroStar treatment plan includes 36 sessions that each last between 19-37 minutes. Your doctor will determine what is right for you. Completing the full NeuroStar treatment course gives the best chance for delivering long-lasting relief from depression.

A vast majority of commercial and Medicare plans have recognized the effectiveness of treating depression with TMS Therapy and now cover TMS as part of their plans. 

TMS does not circulate in the blood throughout the body, so it does not have side effects like weight gain, sexual dysfunction, nausea, dry mouth, sedation, etc. The most common side effects reported during clinical trials were headache and scalp discomfort —generally mild to moderate—occurring less frequently after the first week of treatment.

No. TMS Therapy involves a unique method of using pulsed magnetic fields for a therapeutic benefit. The intensity of the magnetic field is similar to that of an MRI. These techniques differ radically from the popular use of low-intensity, static magnetic fields. Those products deliver weak and undirected static fields that are not capable of activating brain cells. The activation and stimulation of brain cells is a key part of why TMS is so effective.