TMS for Smoking Cessation Benefits: Smoking remains one of the largest preventable threats to public health. While smoking rates have decreased among U.S. adults, there are still approximately 38 million smokers in the United States. Meanwhile, another 16 million live with serious smoking-related illnesses. For these smokers, quitting smoking can be difficult, and most current smoking cessation therapies are only modestly effective or cause intolerable side effects.

The two most commonly used types of nicotine replacement therapies are chewing gum and the nicotine patch. While nicotine replacement therapy is considered effective in increasing cessation rates, the risk of relapse is high after treatment ends. This suggests that more effective treatments are needed to offer patients a life away from cigarettes.

This is where TMS comes in. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive procedure that uses strong magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of depression and other brain disorders. The low-energy magnetic fields are delivered by a device that sends electric current to specific areas of the brain. The magnetic fields induce weak electric currents in the brain and activate neurons.

According to Brainsway, “Deep TMS is the only non-invasive medical device FDA-cleared for short-term smoking cessation. It uses electromagnetic pulses to stimulate neurons in the bilateral insula and prefrontal cortex, reducing tobacco cravings and increasing cognitive control.” Furthermore, “Deep TMS is effective in helping people stop smoking in published clinical trials.”

Benefits of TMS

Deep TMS treatment has been shown in clinical trials to:

• Improve nicotine withdrawal symptoms and cravings.  

• Enhance brain activity and connectivity in the prefrontal cortex, involved in decision-making processes.

• Suppress activity in areas of the brain associated with an emotional response to smoking triggers, such as seeing a pack of cigarettes.

• Increase the ability to delay gratification and resist impulses, which is an effective strategy for quitting smoking.

At PsyFi TMS, we are dedicated to bringing our patients the most advanced treatments in psychiatry We are excited to be one of a select few practices offering Deep TMS for smoking cessation.

If you have additional questions about Deep TMS for smoking cessation or want to schedule your first appointment today, get in touch at info@psyfitms.com or visit our site at www.psyfitms.com for more information.