NeuroStar TMS therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses focused magnetic pulses to stimulate mood-related brain circuits without surgery or sedation. For any potential patients concerned about the safety and side effects of TMS, current clinical evidence does not show that NeuroStar TMS causes structural brain injury. Our role at Genesis TMS and Wellness is to explain what is known, what you can expect, and how we can keep you safe.
During a typical NeuroStar TMS therapy session, a magnetic coil sits on your head and delivers brief magnetic pulses, similar to MRI technology. These pulses reach a few centimeters into the cortex, targeting regions involved in mood regulation. Stimulation helps normalize your underactive pathways over a seven-week course, with you awake and able to return to normal activities afterward. An initial motor-threshold procedure is used to individualize stimulation intensity, so pulses activate target neurons while staying within FDA-cleared parameters.
Because the neurostimulation energy is delivered at the scalp and does not involve anesthesia or incisions, there is no exposure to the systemic effects you may experience with medication. The goal is to influence brain activity, not to injure tissue.
Decades of clinical use of TMS therapy and peer-reviewed studies underpin the safety profile of NeuroStar TMS. Across the United States, NeuroStar TMS therapy reports more than 7.9 million treatments delivered to over 216,000 patients, reflecting broad clinical use of the technology.
While no medical treatment is free of risk, TMS therapy has a moderate risk profile with side effects that are typically transient. Common side effects can include scalp discomfort or headache. Seizures are rare and mitigated by careful screening and dose calibration. Cognitive function is generally preserved in studied populations, and, importantly, the treatment has not been shown to cause any kind of brain damage. At Genesis TMS and Wellness, we follow manufacturer protocols and FDA-cleared parameters to maintain consistent safety standards.
Most people describe a tapping sensation at the TMS treatment site, which can feel tender early on and usually eases over time. You may notice a mild headache after these initial sessions; over-the-counter relief typically helps. We can provide you with hearing protection to dampen the device sounds, and we monitor you at every visit to adjust your comfort settings. Our neurostimulation safety screening looks for conditions that increase risk, such as a history of seizures or ferromagnetic implants near the head. If you are pregnant, we can discuss available data; while TMS therapy has been used during pregnancy, it is not described as proven safe for this group.
If you are wondering about the safety of TMS therapy, and whether it can damage the brain at all, our knowledgeable team is here to walk you through the facts and your personal risk profile. We use standardized protocols, thorough screening, and ongoing monitoring to keep your care predictable and transparent.
If you are ready to discuss whether NeuroStar TMS fits your goals, our staff at Genesis TMS and Wellness is happy to guide you step by step, from consultation through treatment. Contact us to schedule a personalized safety review and next steps.
