Announcement
This article will explain how TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) offers a groundbreaking and effective treatment for smoking cessation and addiction.
Introduction
Tobacco use remains one of the leading causes of preventable deaths across the United States. Nearly 20% of adults use some form of tobacco product. Quitting can be very difficult because the brain has made adjustments to accommodate having nicotine on a regular basis and having a daily routine that includes nicotine. Nicotine triggers the chemical releases that stimulate your brain over and over, and it causes extreme irritability and withdrawal when you don’t have it.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a non-invasive outpatient procedure that can be completed at any time with long-lasting results. For those who are looking for help, TMS for smoking cessation is a promising form of treatment.
What Is TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)?
Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a promising treatment method for tobacco use. This is a non-invasive form of treatment that modulates the neural activity in the brain using magnetic pulses. During a session a TMS coil is put on an individual’s head and electromagnetic pulses are sent from the coil into the brain.
With TMS for smoking cessation, the pulses are sent to a specific part of the brain that helps decrease cravings and improve long-term abstinence.
Understanding TMS for Smoking Cessation
TMS for smoking cessation studies have resulted in FDA approval in 2020 for smokers.
How TMS Affects Smoking Addiction
So, how does it actually work? The studies that resulted in FDA approval focused on the ability of TMS to modulate brain activity associated with the pathophysiology of smoking, including the insular cortex and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.
This means that, in comparison to patches and other medications that might reduce the amount of nicotine you have over a long time frame, you can actually target the regions of the brain that are causing the cravings in the first place.
Success Rates of TMS for Smoking Cessation
In one study, participants remained abstinent for several months after the trial, following TMS treatment for addiction focused on the lateral prefrontal and insular cortices.
Comparing TMS to Other Smoking Cessation Methods
Studies have utilized TMS smoking cessation as a treatment method to reduce cigarette consumption and cravings for individuals who already tried and failed at other attempts. Other methods fail where TMS doesn’t because TMS is able to target areas of the brain directly to induce long-term mood and behavioral modifications.
The Process of TMS Treatment for Smoking Cessation
What does the process look like?
-What to Expect During TMS Therapy
You will start by scheduling your initial sessions which are an average of 20 minutes during which time a technician will place the coil on your head after seating you in a comfortable chair. they will control the location of the electromagnetic pulses and the intensity.
The first few sessions will focus on mapping your brain after which they’ll be able to pick out the areas most heavily associated with addiction. You will feel a slight buzzing or hear a slight noise as the pulses happen but in general is not uncomfortable. At the end of your session you are free to return to your daily activities.
-Typical Course of Treatment
The typical course of treatment in some of the studies mentioned above spanned three weeks with daily activation and another three weeks of weekly activation. However, the typical course of treatment you will receive for TMS therapy for addiction is based on personal needs and generally involves between 20 and 40 sessions on average.
These sessions are typically provided on a daily basis in large part due to the safety which means you can complete all of your sessions in the span of a few weeks, coming in for approximately 20 minutes each day with limited to no side effects and the freedom to go back to your daily routine following your treatment.
-Side Effects and Safety
Aside from those who have brain implants or epilepsy, TMS smoking cessation has virtually no side effects. Some clients report having minor tingling or a headache at the site of the electrodes for the first few sessions, but those tend to go away with time.
There are no other contraindications or significant side effects that might interfere with other medication you are on or other activities throughout your day.
TMS Therapy for Addiction Beyond Smoking
TMS treatment for addiction goes beyond smoking and can be used for several other forms of addiction and impulsivity associated with mental health disorders. It is an approved form of treatment for things like depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder, as well as substance abuse.
Success rates for things like treatment-resistant depression and MDD have shown nearly 70% of people receive a significant change in symptoms, and another 30% have complete remission.
Benefits of TMS for Smoking Cessation
There are several benefits of TMS therapy for addiction to smoking and other substances.
-Non-Invasive and Drug-Free
The biggest benefit is that TMS is non-invasive and drug-free. individuals who are looking for ways to quit smoking without having to rely on medications can do so in a more reliable and affordable way. The fact that it is non-invasive means it can be used with regularity if necessary, and in conjunction with any other treatment options with no complications. Individuals can schedule sessions and return to their daily schedule immediately after.
The fact that it is non-invasive and drug-free means that it can be a preferential procedural intervention and used in conjunction with a multidisciplinary approach that incorporates medication or counseling as well.
-Long-Lasting Results
The results from TMS treatment for addiction are long-lasting, generally lasting between 6 months and one year. This means that individuals can schedule TMS on a regular basis if symptoms reemerge without any potential contraindications or medications.
-Improved Mental Health
Not only does TMS therapy for addiction help individuals quit smoking, but it also offers tangential benefits by targeting certain regions that are associated with the pathophysiology of addiction as well as other mood disorders. That means it can boost your overall mental health by improving symptoms of things like anxiety or depression.
Conclusion
Overall, TMS offers a breakthrough in smoking cessation and addiction treatment. It is a non-invasive and safe procedure with long-lasting results. Not only can it be used for smoking cessation but for other mental health disorders as well. Those struggling with smoking addiction should consider TMS as a viable treatment option.