You may have heard of transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, before. It’s a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate the brain.
But what you may not know is that TMS is rooted in neuroscience—the study of the nervous system. In this post, we’ll explore what neuro health is and how transcranial magnetic stimulation can help improve not only your mental health but your entire life.
What is Neurohealth?
Neurohealth is a branch of neuroscience that focuses on the relationship between the nervous system and full-body health.
Neuroscientists who study neurohealth aim to understand how the nervous system affects our physical and mental health, and vice versa. By understanding this relationship, we can develop new treatments for conditions like depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and more.
To put it simply, neuro health is a state of well-being that is achieved by maintaining healthy brain function. This can be accomplished through lifestyle choices, diet, exercise, and mental stimulation.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these factors:
Lifestyle Choices
Your lifestyle choices have a direct impact on your neuro health. Things like smoking, drinking, and drug use can all lead to negative consequences for your brain health. Additionally, chronic stress can also take a toll on your cognitive function. On the other hand, things like getting enough sleep, managing stress, and socializing can all help improve your neuro health.
Diet
What you eat also plays a role in your neuro health. A balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is ideal. Omega-3 fatty acids are also important for maintaining healthy brain function. You can get omega-3s by eating fish or taking a supplement.
Exercise
Exercise is not only good for your physical health but it’s also good for your brain health. Exercise increases blood flow to the brain and helps to reduce inflammation. It also helps to reduce stress and improve sleep quality. All of these things are important for maintaining a healthy brain.
Mental Stimulation
Mental stimulation is also important for keeping your brain healthy. Activities like reading, puzzles, and crosswords can help to keep your mind sharp as you age. Challenging yourself with new activities can also help to keep your mind active and engaged.
What Does TMS Do?
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate the brain. During a TMS session, a coil is placed against your head near your forehead. The coil produces brief magnetic pulses that pass through your skull and stimulate the neurons in your brain.
How Does TMS Work?
TMS is thought to work by sending electrical currents directly into targeted brain regions. These currents then adjust the activity of neurons in the area, which can lead to changes in brain function.
For example, TMS has been shown to increase blood flow and neuronal activity in the prefrontal cortex, a region of the brain responsible for higher-order cognition and executive function.
TMS is usually given five times per week for four to six weeks. Each session lasts about 30 to 60 minutes, during which time the patient sits in a chair and wears a helmet that delivers the magnetic pulses. There is no anesthesia required and most people report no side effects.
While TMS is most commonly used to treat depression, it has also been shown to be effective for a variety of other conditions, such as OCD, PTSD, and chronic pain. In addition, TMS is being investigated as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease and stroke.
How does Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Tie Into Neuroscience?
As we mentioned before, TMS is rooted in neuroscience—the study of the nervous system. By understanding how the nervous system works, we can develop new and effective treatments for conditions like depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and more.
In other words, transcranial magnetic stimulation is a neuroscientific approach to treating mental health conditions. The goal of TMS is to stimulate the neurons in the brain in order to improve mood and alleviate symptoms of mental illness. Through research, TMS has been shown to be an effective treatment for depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.
If you’re interested in learning more about neuro health and TMS, please contact us today.
How Can TMS Help My Mental Health?
TMS is a breakthrough treatment for depression because it offers hope to people who have not been able to find relief from other treatments, such as therapy and medication. In fact, according to the Mayo Clinic, TMS has been found to be an effective treatment for major depression that has not responded well to other treatments.
The electrical pulses delivered through TMS have the ability to directly target specific areas of the brain in ways other treatments simply can’t. Many patients find relief from their depressive symptoms within the first few sessions.
Researchers are also studying whether TMS can be used to treat other conditions like anxiety, OCD, PTSD, migraines, and more. While more research is needed, preliminary studies suggest that TMS may be an effective treatment for these conditions as well.
Neurohealth and TMS Go Hand In Hand:
In conclusion, neurohealth is a branch of neuroscience that focuses on the relationship between the nervous system and health. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate the brain and it is rooted in neuroscience.
TMS is FDA-approved to treat depression that has not responded to other treatments like medication or therapy but researchers are also studying whether TMS can be used to treat other conditions like anxiety, OCD, PTSD, migraines, etc.
If you want to learn more about neuro health or TMS please contact our TMS Doctor today at 301-363-1063.
Resources:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1024oO_mxcFgE3Gsuo8ZogD-jnoEi_ixEWS_3tayc7gg/edit?usp=sharing
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation/about/pac-20384625