A new therapy is gaining traction in the mental health space – but is it safe?

transcranial magnetic stimulation TMS is a noninvasive treatment wherein coils are placed near the scalp to generate magnetic pulses that stimulate nerve cells in depression and OCD.

The therapy is proven effective in treating mental health conditions, but what are the side effects? This article will explore safety issues and tell you all you need to know.

How Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Works

TMS uses magnetic coils to send pulses to specific brain regions. It recalibrates the system, nudding underactive or overactive circuits back to normal functioning. The treatment modulates the nuerocircuitry in the prefrontal cortex and dopamine pathways to boost feel-good chemicals and reduce depression symptoms.

There are three main types of TMS, as follows:

  • Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS): The most common therapy, pulses are delivered to the brain in a repetitive manner, targeting the left prefrontal cortex.
  • Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS): Uses specially designed coils that reach deeper and broader brain regions,

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    Dr. Aram Keshishyan

    Dr. Aram Keshishyan, PsyD.

    Aram Keshishyan, PsyD. is a bilingual, Armenian-speaking, licensed clinical-forensic psychologist who has been practicing since 2013. Dr. Keshishyan emigrated to the United States at the age of 1 and grew up in the highly diverse Los Angeles County area. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Master of Arts and Doctorate of Psychology degrees in Clinical-Forensic Psychology from Alliant International University, Alhambra.

    Dr. Arastou Aminzadeh

    Arastou Aminzadeh, MD

    Dr. Aminzadeh co-founded BNI to provide patients with exceptional and complete care that goes beyond the regular standards. Each individual is unique and based on each person's genetic makeup, some have a more painful response to challenges that arise on their journey and need assistance to get back on track.

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    BNI Clinics evaluate and treat a wide range of neurological and mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD, memory issues, migraines, sleep disorders, and brain-related performance concerns. Each patient receives a personalized care plan from licensed clinicians.

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