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TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation)
Also known as: rTMS, Transcranial magnetic stimulation
A non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses from a coil held over the head to activate brain areas. FDA-cleared for depression.
Rapidly changing magnetic fields induce small electrical currents in the cortex under the coil. Repetitive TMS (rTMS) is an established treatment for depression that hasn’t responded to medication, and is also used for OCD and smoking cessation.
Last updated Sep 30, 2026. Educational content, not medical advice.