What Is TMS Therapy? How Magnetic Brain Stimulation Treats Depression Without Medication

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non‐invasive therapy that employs magnetic fields to induce electrical currents in targeted brain regions, most commonly the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). This region is well known to be underactive in cases of major depressive disorder.

Much like defibrillation uses electricity to restart a heart in arrhythmia, TMS provides a controlled jolt to the brain to restore function—it neither floods the system with chemicals (as medications do) nor requires sedation.

The Science Behind TMS Therapy

If you’re stuck in a cycle of depression, brain fog, or burnout — and medications haven’t helped — TMS therapy might offer the reset you’ve been looking for. Backed by decades of neuroscience, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive treatment that uses gentle magnetic pulses to reactivate areas of the brain responsible for mood, focus, and emotional resilience.

Unlike medications, TMS doesn't flood your body with chemicals. Instead, it helps your brain work better — by working with your brain.

How TMS Works: A Step-by-Step Breakdown

TMS targets a specific area of the brain — usually the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) — that tends to be underactive in people with depression.

Here’s how it works:

Magnetic Pulses Stimulate Your Brain

During each session, a magnetic coil is gently placed on your scalp. This coil sends brief magnetic pulses (similar to an MRI) into your brain. These pulses pass painlessly through your skull and activate the targeted region involved in mood regulation.

Neurons Get a Wake-Up Call

These pulses generate small electrical currents, “waking up” underperforming neurons and restoring proper brain function. Think of it like jump-starting a car battery — only for your brain.

Your Brain Rewires Itself Through Neuroplasticity

As treatments continue, the brain forms new, healthier patterns of activity — a process called neuroplasticity. Just like physical therapy strengthens a muscle, repeated TMS strengthens neural circuits tied to motivation, clarity, and mood balance.

Why neuroplastic brain stimulation matters

Conventional medication addresses chemical imbalance. TMS rewires circuitry. As with rehabilitation in neurology or cardiac care, TMS taps into the body's capacity for structural and functional reorganisation. Its appeal lies in its precision: localised, drug-free, and mechanistically rational.

Clinical outcomes within recent years

A robust body of clinical evidence has emerged over the past three years:

• Deep TMS in older adults: A phase IV trial reported a 73 % response rate and 73 % remission after 20 sessions in late-life depression, with a median onset at 15 sessions; adverse events were negligible 

• Meta-analytic validation: A 2024 systematic review of five RCTs (507 patients) found that dTMS nearly doubled response rates (45 % vs 24 %) and remission rates (38 % vs 14 %) compared to sham treatment.

• Repeat rTMS vs pharmacotherapy: A multisite study in 2024 indicated that augmenting with rTMS resulted in larger reductions in depression scores than switching antidepressants.

• Neurophysiological signature: EEG studies have correlated improvements in specific slow-wave activity with clinical response—an encouraging step toward predictive biomarkers .

The Advantages of TMS

TMS in context: electric intervention across medicine

Electrical modulation is hardly novel in healthcare: pacemakers stabilise heart rhythm, defibrillators rectify cardiac arrhythmias, and deep brain stimulators alleviate Parkinson’s symptoms. TMS is the psychiatric analogue—a directed electrical intervention to restore function in a faulty system through physiological modulation, not chemical substitution.

Who Is TMS Therapy For?

TMS is FDA-cleared to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), but it's also used off-label to help with:

• Treatment-resistant depression

• Anxiety

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

• PTSD

• Brain fog and burnout

• Long COVID-related cognitive symptoms

• Smoking cessation (not currently offered at Axis)

If you’ve tried at least two antidepressants without success, insurance typically considers you eligible for TMS. Our article about TMS Costs can provide you with more information and also details our pro bono program.

Why Choose Deep TMS Over Standard TMS?

At Axis Integrated Mental Health, we use Deep TMS, an advanced form of TMS that penetrates deeper into brain regions associated with depression and anxiety. Studies show that Deep TMS may reach broader neural networks, leading to better outcomes for some patients.

Unlike many other clinics, we offer:

• Integrated care under one roof (psychiatry, therapy, Deep TMS)

• Fast prior authorization and insurance handling

• Locations in Aurora, Boulder, and Denver

• Real human support every step of the way

• StorySHIFT™ our proprietary Story Healing Integrated Framework for Transformation. 
• Complementary Workbook for use during the 6 weeks of treatment

TMS in Colorado: Where to Find Care Near You

Searches like “TMS therapy near me” are rising fast — especially in Colorado. But not all clinics are created equal. Here's what to look for:

Axis Integrated Mental Health is ranked among the top clinics in Colorado for interventional psychiatry, and we’ve helped hundreds of patients reset their brains and reclaim their lives.

Common Side Effects of TMS Therapy

TMS is generally well-tolerated with minimal side effects, especially compared to medications. The most common include:

• Mild scalp discomfort or tapping sensation

• Temporary headache or lightheadedness

• Fatigue (in early sessions)

• Rare cases of twitching or jaw clenching

There’s no need for sedation, and you can drive yourself home after each session.

This Isn’t Just a Mood Boost — It’s a Brain Reset

What makes TMS different from every other treatment you’ve tried?

It’s not about “getting happier.” It’s about restoring your brain’s flexibility, so it can respond to stress and emotion the way it’s designed to. Patients report:

• Better focus and mental clarity

• Feeling present again

• Natural emotional responses (not just “numb” or “flat”)

• Reconnecting with motivation and purpose

This is why we often recommend TMS to patients who are burned out, high-functioning, and quietly struggling with high-functioning depression even after years of treatment. We also recommend TMS for teenage depression, especially to reduce the medication burden. 

How Much Does TMS Therapy Cost?

Most major insurance plans — including Aetna, Cigna, United, Kaiser, and Anthem Blue Cross — cover TMS therapy for depression. At Axis, we take care of the prior authorization process for you.

If you're paying out of pocket, expect the full course of treatment to range between $6,000–$12,000 — though many patients qualify for coverage or payment plans.

Summary: Why TMS Therapy Is Worth Considering

If you’re tired of feeling stuck and foggy, and you’re looking for something that works without more pills, TMS might be the turning point. At Axis, you’ll get:

• Deep TMS technology

• Local care in Denver, Boulder, and Aurora

• Insurance support and fast access

• Real people guiding you — not a call center

FAQs:

1. How long before I feel better with TMS therapy?

2. Is Deep TMS better than regular TMS?

3. What if I’ve already tried multiple antidepressants?

4. Will I need to keep doing TMS forever?

5. Can I work or drive right after each session?