What is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation?

In the simplest way possible, TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) is using magnetic energy (like induction) to stimulate areas of the brain where it is believed you can relieve depression. It’s basically a targeted MRI to your head without the picture.

You sit in a chair and a technician places a wand over the area of your head where the treatment is to be focussed. When the device is turned on, it emits magnetic pulses that target the brain and stimulate neural pathways. How it cures depression is up for debate but for about 50% of people it is a complete cure. This treatment is done for several minutes 5 days a week for 4-5 weeks(or longer). The machine makes a fair amount of noise during the treatment so patients are given earplugs to protect their hearing. I have heard the sensation explained as if it is a tapping sensation with little to minimal discomfort. After the treatment patients are free to go about their day and usually do not experience any kind of side effects.

For a detailed explanation here are good links:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation/about/pac-20384625

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/psychiatry/specialty_areas/brain_stimulation/tms/index.html