How TMS Uses Magnetic Fields to Fight Stubborn Depression

Magnets play a big role in our lives. They power the motors in our washing machines and blenders, making it possible for us to hear sound through speakers and headphones.  

And now, they can help with symptoms of depression. In fact, a magnet-based treatment is making waves for helping people who haven’t seen results with antidepressants. 

Alejandra Suzuki, MD, FAPA, offers this leading-edge treatment, called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), right here at Americas TMS Center. She provides this kind of care because she’s seen just how effective it can be for people living with stubborn depression.

To understand how this treatment works, it helps to understand the technology behind it. 

Breaking it down: T + M + S

Transcranial magnetic stimulation is quite a mouthful. To make it easier to digest, it helps to break it into pieces. 

Transcranial

This first part refers to the delivery method for this treatment. It’s called transcranial because we can send the therapy through your skull (cranium). 

TMS is a completely noninvasive treatment. Instead, it works by directing magnetic pulses through your scalp and skull into your brain. You don’t need any incision, injections, or medications to get this treatment. 

Magnetic

Now we’re at the exciting part. Magnets are the core driver of TMS. 

During treatment, Dr. Suzuki uses the TMS device to send magnetic pulses into your brain. You might hear clicking or feel tapping as it goes to work. 

She directs magnetic energy so that it reaches targeted parts of your brain. And that leads us to the last piece of the equation here. 

Stimulation

As the magnetic pulses interact with your brain, they stimulate your neurons. As a result, TMS can help you support more activity in areas of your brain that were previously underperforming, such as the mood-regulating areas.

As TMS research advances, we’re getting more and more information about the specific parts of your brain to target to offset specific depressive symptoms. Dr. Suzuki develops a plan for you, using magnetic energy to deliver personalized and noninvasive treatment. 

The exciting part: TMS for treatment-resistant depression

TMS offers a drug-free path to reduced depression symptoms, which is great news for a lot of folks. But it’s particularly exciting for one group of people: those who haven’t yet found something that works. 

Antidepressants take weeks or months to reach full efficacy, often leaving people dealing with side effects in the meantime. That makes it extra frustrating when these medications don’t deliver results. 

If that sounds familiar, ask Dr. Suzuki about TMS. A growing body of research shows that this technology works for people with treatment-resistant depression. 

Don’t let stubborn depressive symptoms keep you from living your best life. To explore TMS for yourself, call our office or schedule an appointment online today.