About TMS Therapy

BrainsWay has Revolutionized the Treatment of Depression and OCD

BrainsWay has revolutionized the treatment of depression and OCD. With BrainsWay’s unique therapy, you can regain a sense of well-being and enjoy a better quality of life in just a few weeks.

BrainsWay’s Deep TMS therapy is effective, safe and generally well-tolerated for people with these common brain disorders. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared BrainsWay’s Deep TMS device for the treatment of depression and OCD (De Novo) in patients who failed to respond to antidepressant medications. The treatment has been demonstrated to be effective in several clinical trials.

BrainsWay’s therapy is not painful or disruptive, does not cause systemic side effects, and does not require hospitalization or anesthesia. Treatment involves sitting comfortably in a chair and wearing a helmet containing a patented H-coil for 20-minutes. The coil stimulates the brain by creating a temporary magnetic field.

BrainsWay’s Deep TMS has been tested in over 60 clinical trials worldwide. It can even help people who have not responded well to medications, or to a combination of psychotherapy and medication.

Have more questions? We encourage you to ask or learn more! Watch the short videos below to learn more about TMS, see our FAQs, learn about TMS from patients, or reach out to us for a free consultation to see if TMS Therapy is right for you!

TMS FAQs

TMS stands for transcranial magnetic stimulation. It is used to treat depression by stimulating the brain non-invasively using electromagnetic fields, similar to those produced by an MRI machine. During TMS Therapy, a magnetic field is administered in very short pulses to the part of the brain that research has demonstrated to be associated with depression. Initial brain mapping takes approx. 30 mins, with subsequent daily treatments of 20 mins M-F over 6 weeks.

The BrainsWay TMS Therapy system uses short pulses of magnetic fields to stimulate the area of the brain that is thought to function abnormally in patients with depression. The magnetic field produces an electric current in the brain that stimulates the brain cells (neurons). This results in changes that are thought to be beneficial in the treatment of depression.

It usually takes time for healthcare insurers to establish coverage policies for newly approved treatments such as BrainsWay TMS. However, many commercial and Medicare plans have recognized the effectiveness of treating depression with TMS Therapy and now cover TMS as part of their plans. See more information about TMS Insurance Coverage Options

BrainsWay is non-systemic (does not circulate in the blood throughout the body), so it does not have side effects such as 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 therapeutic benefit. The intensity of the magnetic field is similar to that of the magnetic fields used in magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI. These techniques differ radically from the popular use of low intensity, static magnetic fields. These products deliver weak and undirected static fields that are not capable of activating brain cells.

No, the two procedures are very different. While both are effective in the treatment of depression, there are many differences in safety and tolerability.

During TMS Therapy, patients sit in a chair and are awake and alert throughout the entire 20 minute procedure – no sedation is used with TMS Therapy. Patients can transport themselves to and from treatment.

In over 10,000 active treatments with the BrainsWay TMS Therapy system in clinical trials, no seizures were observed. TMS Therapy was also shown to have no negative effects on memory function in these studies.

In contrast, “shock therapy,” or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), intentionally causes a seizure. Patients receiving ECT must be sedated with general anesthesia and paralyzed with muscle relaxants. Recovery from an ECT treatment session occurs slowly, and patients are usually closely monitored for minutes or a even few hours after a treatment.

Short-term confusion and memory loss are common with ECT, and long-term disruptions in memory have been shown to occur and may persist indefinitely in some people. Because of the side effects associated with ECT, a significant amount of caregiver support is required.

A typical course of TMS Therapy is 5 times per week for 20-minute sessions, depending on what the doctor determines is the correct protocol, over 6 weeks.

Any additional treatments are based on clinical judgment.

BrainsWay TMS Therapy has been shown to be well tolerated and the BrainsWay TMS Therapy system has been demonstrated to be safe in clinical trials. Throughout over 10,000 active treatments performed in clinical trials, the most commonly reported side effect related to treatment was scalp discomfort during treatment sessions. This side effect was generally mild to moderate, and occurred less frequently after the first week of treatment. Less than 5% of patients treated with BrainsWay TMS Therapy discontinued treatment due to side effects.

In BrainsWay clinical trials, over 10,000 TMS treatments demonstrated its safety, with no occurrence of seizures. However, there is a small risk of a seizure occurring during treatment. This risk is no greater than what has been observed with oral antidepressant medications.

While BrainsWay TMS Therapy has been demonstrated to be effective, not all patients will benefit from it. Patients should be carefully monitored for worsening symptoms, signs or symptoms of suicidal behavior, and/or unusual behavior. Families and caregivers should also be aware of the need to observe patients and notify their treatment provider if symptoms worsen.

No, BrainsWay TMS Therapy uses the same type and strength of magnetic fields as MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging), which have been used in tens of millions of patients around the world and have not been shown to cause tumors. The magnetic energy used in a full course of TMS Therapy is a small fraction of just one brain scan with an MRI.

No, the BrainsWay TMS Therapy system was systematically evaluated for its effects on memory. Clinical trials demonstrated that BrainsWay TMS Therapy does not result in any negative effects on memory or concentration.

No, the most common side effect related to treatment was scalp discomfort during treatment sessions. This side effect was generally mild to moderate, and occurred less frequently after the first week of treatment.

If necessary, you can treat this discomfort with an over-the-counter analgesic. If these side effects persist, your doctor can temporarily reduce the strength of the magnetic field pulses being administered in order to make treatment more comfortable.

Less than 5% of patients treated with BrainsWay TMS Therapy discontinued treatment due to side effects.

BrainsWay TMS is the only TMS system with the durability of its effects established over 12 months. In a clinical trial, 2 out of 3 patients who had either responded to treatment or completely remitted their depression symptoms reported 12 months later that they remained at the level they were at the end of the trial. Additionally, after the trial, only 1 in 3 patients needed to return for ‘maintenance’ TMS sessions.

Yes. In clinical trials, BrainsWay TMS Therapy was safely administered with and without other antidepressant medications.

No, the BrainsWay TMS Therapy system is the first TMS device to be cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of major depression.

The BrainsWay TMS Therapy system is also the first TMS device to have been evaluated in a large, multicenter, controlled clinical trial, as well as the only TMS system with the durability of its effects over 12 months established.

TMS Therapy Testimonials

Hear from Patients Who Received TMS Treatments

At first I thought that this treatment was just the "same old, same old." In fact, it turned out to be a very relaxing time which I am now trying to duplicate at home as part of a regular morning routine. I always felt that the staff were there to support me completely through follow-up sessions and trying to make me comfortable. TMS exceeded my wildest expectations. Almost immediately the world looked bright and new. I so appreciate the opportunity to find a very different world and life.
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Tim A
TMS Patient
I was severely depressed over a period of three years. I tried several antidepressants but nothing really seemed to work. I had a severe allergic reaction. My family was very poorly impacted by the whole problem of my depression. By the end of the TMS treatment, things were better than I could have imagined. After that sixth week, I was so excited that my life was starting to resume. It could actually get better and that I had more to look forward to.
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Garret A
TMS Patient
During that time, it was probably the darkest time in my life. I was sad and miserable all the time. Before when I was going through depression, I felt hopeless. Since TMS, my perspective on life has been so positive that I know there is hope.
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Martha F
TMS Patient

TMS+YOU LogoTMS+YOU is an online community and national patient advocacy site for TMS Therapy. Those considering Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation can connect with patients who have had the treatment to answer questions, share insights, and get the latest information.

See if TMS is right for you

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An initial consultation will be scheduled to discuss what is troubling you and whether TMS is an appropriate treatment. At that time, you and your doctor will review your symptoms, treatment history, and possible treatment options. Read more about what to expect.

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Have you in the past 6 months or are currently in therapy/Psychotherapy? *
Have you been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder? *
Have you tried at least 3 different Antidepressants in the past 36 months? *
Have you ever been diagnosed or treated for bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder of schizophrenia? *
Do you have a metal implant in or around the head (aneurysm coil or clip, metal plate, ocular implant, stent) *
Do you have any of the following: cerebrovascular disease, dementia, history of repetitive or severe head trauma, increased intracranial pressure or primary or secondary tumors in the central nervous system? *
Do you have a seizure disorder/epilepsy? *