For those living with treatment-resistant depression, hope can feel like a luxury. If you’re considering transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to manage symptoms of depression and other conditions, it’s natural to wonder whether its benefits can truly last — and what the long-term effects of TMS might mean for your mental health.
TMS is a proven, non-invasive treatment for depression and anxiety in adults who have not found relief through traditional methods. It uses magnetic fields to stimulate underactive parts of the brain associated with mood.
Research supports the effectiveness of TMS. According to a 2012 study, TMS significantly improved symptoms of depression in 58% of patients and achieved complete remission in 37%.
While TMS offers promising outcomes, many people want to know what happens after treatment ends. Understanding the long-term effects of TMS can offer clarity — and confidence — in taking the next step toward healing.
What is TMS and how does it improve brain health?
Cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2008, TMS is a treatment for major depressive disorder, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It’s ideal for people with treatment-resistant depression who haven’t responded to antidepressants, therapy, or both.
Beyond symptom relief, the long-term effects of TMS contribute to overall brain health in several ways:
- Enhanced neurotransmitter activity: TMS can influence brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine, which are important for mood regulation.
- Improved blood flow: TMS ensures the brain receives adequate oxygen and nutrients by enhancing cerebral blood flow.
- Reduced inflammation: Some studies suggest that TMS may help decrease inflammation in the brain, which has been linked to depression.
TMS works by delivering focused magnetic pulses to the parts of the brain involved in mood regulation, commonly in the prefrontal cortex. These pulses “wake up” under-stimulated nerve cells and promote neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to change, adapt, and form new connections.
Neuroplasticity is how we learn, remember things, and build resilience. In a healthy brain, strong connections help regulate mood, manage stress, and how we respond to new situations.
However, these connections can weaken for a variety of reasons:
- Chronic stress can “lock in” unhealthy brain patterns and pathways, which can lead to rumination or anxiety.
- Depression can make it harder for the brain to grow and change by lowering important brain chemicals that help nerve cells connect and stay healthy.
- Sleep deprivation, poor diet, isolation, and inactivity can also interfere with the brain’s ability to form new healthy patterns.
- Aging can slow down neuroplastic changes, but it doesn’t eliminate them. Interventions like TMS can still be effective in older adults.
TMS builds neuroplasticity by strengthening the parts of the brain that aren’t working as well. Over time, this encourages the brain to establish stronger connections and build a more resilient response to stress. These neurological improvements are among the most impactful long-term effects of TMS.
Results and the long-term effects of TMS
Rather than masking symptoms, TMS targets the brain’s underlying circuitry. This creates long-term changes by establishing healthy patterns of brain activity. Research shows that many patients experience significant improvement in depressive symptoms that can last for months or even years — a key aspect of the long-term effects of TMS.
- Treatment response: About half of people with treatment-resistant depression feel noticeably better after a full course of TMS treatment.
- Symptom improvement: MRI-guided TMS, a specialized technique, significantly improved symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant depression for up to six months. Over two-thirds of participants responded to treatment, with one-fifth achieving sustained remission.³
- Sustained response: A 12-month follow-up study of 257 patients with treatment-resistant depression found that 62% responded well to TMS over the year. Additionally, fewer than 30% of responders experienced a depressive relapse during this time.
- Comparable efficacy: TMS works as well as – or even better than – antidepressant medications over the long term, with 33% to 60% of people in all age groups showing improvement.
- Neuroplasticity boost: Another study noted that 10 sessions of high-frequency TMS led to a long term increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that directly enhances neuroplasticity, for at least five weeks.
There are no known long-term side effects of TMS. Short-term side effects are temporary and can vary by patient. These can include headache, scalp discomfort, facial twitching, and lightheadedness. The most serious but rare side effect is seizure, which can occur in less than 0.1% of patients.
What to expect during TMS therapy
Your clinician will design a TMS treatment plan that meets your needs and fits into your schedule. Sessions are admitted in a safe and comfortable outpatient setting, with no need for anesthesia.
There is no recovery period. Patients can drive to and from their appointments and continue with regular activities after treatment.
Pacific Mind Health offers two types of TMS:
- Theta-Burst Stimulation: Also known as “express TMS,” this option delivers magnetic pulses in just three minutes per session. It is administered five days a week over the course of four to six weeks. Fast and convenient, many patients typically start noticing results in as little as three weeks.
- Standard TMS: This traditional approach involves 20-minute sessions five days a week, typically over six weeks. Widely used and researched, it is a reliable choice for many people seeking relief.
During each session, a small coil placed against your scalp emits electromagnetic pulses which “wake up” underactive neurotransmitters in the brain. Most patients report feeling a mild tapping sensation during the procedure but you should never feel pain.
These protocols are both well-tolerated and contribute to the long-term effects of TMS, including improved mood regulation and brain resilience.
Preventing relapse: TMS maintenance therapy and booster sessions
Like all mental health treatments, TMS is not a guaranteed cure for everyone. Rather, TMS can be a powerful part of a long-term strategy to support your mental health. This is where maintenance and booster TMS sessions can help sustain the long-term effects of TMS.
- Maintenance TMS: These sessions continue after the initial course of treatment as a preventive measure. The goal is to sustain symptom relief and prevent relapse. They are usually done at regular intervals, commonly once a week, every other week, or once a month. Some protocols use “cluster” sessions over a few consecutive days each month.
- Booster TMS: This is a short series of sessions that are administered only as needed, typically if symptoms return or worsen after the initial course of treatment. The goal is to “boost” the brain back into remission. A cluster of treatments is given over several days or weeks but for a shorter duration.
Research on the effectiveness of maintenance and booster TMS is positive, especially for those with treatment-resistant depression. These follow-up treatments help preserve the long-term effects of TMS.
While individual results vary, one study on maintenance TMS indicated that 81% of patients who received treatment did not experience relapse. Another study found that 89% of patients who experienced a relapse of symptoms after their initial round of TMS benefited from an additional booster round.⁸
Tips for maintaining the long-term effects of TMS after treatment
Ultimately, TMS works best when it’s part of a continuing commitment to mental health. Patients tend to experience better results when they incorporate healthy routines into their lives:
- Exercise and good sleep hygiene support brain health and reduce the risk of relapse.
- Mindfulness and stress-reduction techniques can protect mood stability.
- Therapy can help address thought patterns and life stressors that contribute to depression.
Checking in with your clinician is also part of your long-term success after TMS. Your clinician will develop a personalized plan to monitor progress, catch signs of a relapse, and allow for adjustments and additional support. These follow-ups are key to preserving the long-term effects of TMS.
Key takeaways
TMS offers a path forward that goes beyond temporary relief from symptoms. It can bring meaningful long-term change to support a healthy brain and ongoing wellness. Here are a few key points to consider:
- Lasting relief: Benefits are often enjoyed for months and even years.
- Supports brain health: TMS works by promoting neuroplasticity, strengthening neurotransmitter activity, improving blood flow, and reducing brain inflammation.
- Durability: While many patients experience significant symptom remission with TMS, maintenance and booster treatments help combat relapses.
- Safe and well-tolerated: TMS is non-invasive, does not require anesthesia, and has minimal side effects, making it a safe option for many people.
Understanding the long-term effects of TMS helps patients feel empowered in their decision to pursue a proven treatment path that supports not only symptom relief but also long-lasting mental wellness. Schedule your free consultation today and get the relief you need.
Looking for TMS treatment near you?
Pacific Mind Health offers transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for depression, OCD, and other mental health conditions at our Los Angeles locations. Our experienced clinicians provide compassionate, evidence-based care to help you feel better.
Ready to take the next step? Schedule a consultation today to see if TMS is right for you.
