What Is TMS? Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Explained
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific brain networks. It is performed in-office while you are awake, and it does not require anesthesia, sedation, or a hospital stay. At Breakthrough TMS in Glendale, we provide TMS using BrainsWay Deep TMS technology.
Why Stimulating the Brain Can Help
Many mental health symptoms are linked to patterns of underactivity or dysregulation in specific brain circuits. Rather than working through your whole body the way medication does, TMS delivers repeated magnetic stimulation directly to those networks, helping them function more normally over time.
That is why TMS is delivered as a course of sessions rather than a single visit: the change builds gradually as sessions accumulate, the way repetition strengthens any pattern.
Deep TMS vs Standard TMS
Some TMS systems use a smaller coil design that primarily targets more surface-level regions of the brain. Deep TMS uses a different coil architecture — BrainsWay's H-coil — designed to stimulate deeper and broader networks. This can matter for people who need broader circuit engagement or who have not responded adequately to other treatments.
Who May Consider TMS
TMS is often considered when standard treatments have not brought enough relief. You may want to look into it if:
- Symptoms persist despite trying antidepressants or therapy
- Side effects from medication are hard to tolerate
- You want a non-drug approach that targets specific brain networks
- You want an outpatient option with minimal disruption to daily life
At our Glendale clinic, we use FDA-cleared Deep TMS protocols for specific conditions — most commonly depression that has not responded to medication, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxious depression, late-life depression, and smoking addiction. Candidacy is always confirmed through screening.
How TMS Compares to Other Treatments
TMS works differently than most common treatments because it targets specific brain networks using magnetic stimulation, without medication or anesthesia, and without a hospital stay.
Compared to antidepressants: TMS is not systemic, so it avoids many whole-body side effects. It is delivered as a defined course of in-office sessions rather than a daily drug routine.
Compared to ketamine: TMS is non-drug and does not involve dissociation. It is designed to create steady, durable change by strengthening mood-regulation networks over time.
Compared to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): TMS does not require anesthesia and does not induce a seizure, and most patients return to normal activities immediately after each session.
TMS Safety Overview
TMS is widely used and generally well-tolerated. The most common side effects are temporary, such as mild headache or scalp discomfort, and they tend to ease as your body adapts to treatment. Safety screening before starting is essential — especially for patients with metal in or around the head, which can make treatment inappropriate. We walk through all of this with you before anything is scheduled.
Curious what a visit actually looks like? Read about the TMS treatment process — mapping, session length, and what treatment feels like.
See if TMS Is Right for You
Get a Clear Answer in One Consultation
We will review your symptoms, treatment history, and safety factors, then explain whether TMS fits your needs and which FDA-cleared option may apply.
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