Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation—A Drug-Free Treatment for Depression

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation—A Drug-Free Treatment for Depression

Major depression is a debilitating brain-body illness that impairs function and is one of the highest causes of disability worldwide. When a person is in a state of depression, the brain’s normal neural network and circuits do not function in the normal way and the various domains of life are negatively affected (impaired concentration, sleep, appetite, energy, motivation, ability to experience joy, thinking patterns, etc.).

The prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain behind the forehead—is where we think, reason, plan, strategize, prioritize, pay attention, and modulate mood. When people are depressed, the prefrontal cortex is underactive, so they find it hard to think clearly, focus, learn, and problem-solve, and they get overwhelmed with life easily.

The part of the brain just behind the prefrontal cortex, the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), is where we make choices and experience our sense of compassion and empathy. During depression, the ACC is also underactive, so people struggle to make decisions and to feel socially connected to others.

On the other hand, the amygdala, the part of the brain where we experience fear, anxiety, and alarm, is overactive during depression, so sufferers will often feel worried, dread, uneasiness, and anxiety even without specific threats or problems, or they will markedly exaggerate the level of real-world issues and, thus, worry and ruminate rather than problem-solve effectively.

It probably doesn’t surprise you that the most common treatment for depression is anti-depressant medication. However, while there are many people for whom medications have been lifesaving, it is also true that there are millions for whom medications are either ineffective or cause intolerable side effects. There are also those who just don’t want medication in their bodies.

Fortunately, there is an alternative, drug-free treatment for depression today called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).

How it Works

TMS uses a strong electromagnet to activate the underactive brain circuits in order to move the brain back toward a non-depressed level of functioning.

During a TMS treatment, the electromagnet is placed against the scalp adjacent to the prefrontal cortex; then, pulses of magnetic energy move across the cranium into the brain. These pulses cause the neurons in the prefrontal cortex to fire (depolarize) and, because they are connected to neurons in the ACC, they, in turn, cause the neurons of the ACC to fire.

Then, when the ACC activates, it sends a calming signal to the amygdala. In other words, TMS treatments move the brain’s neural circuits back toward their non-depressed levels of functioning.

Various data have demonstrated that of the patients who have been unable to experience relief from depression through medications, 68 percent achieve remission of their depression symptoms through TMS treatment.

What to Expect

During a treatment, a patient will typically receive three thousand pulses over a 20- to 30-minute period. The patient is awake the entire time, and there are no IVs or medications. As soon as the treatment is over, the patient is free to leave and go about their routine business without any restrictions.

Most people will require 30 to 36 TMS treatments to get them out of a state of depression. Once they are out of depression, their wellness can often be maintained with a single treatment once a month.

For the first couple of sessions, the most common side effect is transient discomfort on the scalp where the magnetic energy crosses the cranium. Most people find this becomes easily tolerated within a few treatments.  

The only absolute contraindication to receiving this treatment is having magnetizable metal inside one’s head. However, if you have been cleared to get an MRI, you will most likely be cleared for TMS.

Many insurance plans, including Medicare, now cover TMS treatments, but you will need to check with your particular carrier. Cash price varies depending on your region and provider but typically ranges from approximately $300 to $600 per treatment.

There are a variety of machines cleared by the FDA that physicians can use to provide this treatment. I prefer NeuroStar’s system to others. They have a strong scientific support team that helps providers find relevant and recent research. Their device also allows for more focused and nuanced treatment, and it is currently the only one cleared to treat depressive adolescents ages 15 and older. (Their device is also approved for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder.) You can find a list of NeuroStar TMS providers at NeuroStar Providers.

Finally, TMS treatments can be administered by any doctor who has been trained to do the procedure. However, I recommend seeking a psychiatrist rather than a non-psychiatrist, as a psychiatrist will be able to better address other factors that are contributing to depression and can generally offer a more holistic approach to resolving the issue.

Depression is a debilitating brain-body illness that is treatable. If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, please seek professional help. If you have sought help and have determined that medications are not right for you, consider TMS as a possible solution. And if you are seeking holistic Christian residential treatment, consider Honey Lake Clinic.

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Testimony 43

Two years ago I stumbled upon your book, “Could It Be This Simple,” and then found “The God-Shaped Brain” videos on YouTube, your bible study class, and the ‘Come And Reason’ mobile app. I shared your book with a friend and after nine months of showing love, patience, and kindness this person has been changed by the love of God, too. The same love that healed me, I now express to other women in tangible ways, such as to a Baptist woman with high anxiety and childhood trauma. She was extremely happy and relieved when I shared about the so-called “judgment of God” and burning in hell. She had no desire to serve a God that was so harsh. I have repeated the phrase dozens of times to her. “What we believe has power over us, but we have power over what we believe…”

This message that you are sharing has changed my life. I will continue to serve other women and bring this message of God’s healing love to their lives by sharing your books, YouTube videos, and The Remedy Bible app. Keep up the good work. Don’t be discouraged. God is doing a mighty work in and through this ministry!

Jill L., Midwest, USA

 

Testimony 39

[This ministry is the] biggest blessing I have ever received! Your DVDs and lessons could not have come at a better time in my life. I have experienced in the past year many difficulties that, if it wasn’t for this wonderful view of God that I have discovered through this ministry, I would not have been able to respond in love and forgiveness. My heart is being transformed everyday by the Calvary-looking God you teach. Hallelujah!! I have tears in my eyes as I write, because my life has taken a complete turn from where I was heading.

I am from Central America. Most of my family is scattered in different parts of the world and all have the same view of God that I had growing up; a distant, exacting, and ready-to-punish-us-with-tragedy type of God. So, I have been translating lessons for my family and, to my surprise, they have also been sharing them with others! I can already see the difference. My brother has often said, “Thank you for sharing, I have never heard it this way!” My other family members are taking an amazing turn from a message of “repent or burn” towards a loving God, pleading to us that we won’t reject him because he loves us eternally.

Bless you for all you do.

Sofia S., Ashfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 2

I continue to enjoy your lessons every week. The more that I research your conclusions, the more I am convinced that the Holy Spirit has lead you to distill out the essence of human redemption. Thank you for your courageous stand for the truth.

S. G., TX, USA

 

Testimony 67

I was introduced to Come And Reason by a friend of my mother-in-law, who gave me several CD’s of Dr. Jennings. The clarity of the message and recognition that God’s is a God of love was so clear, advancing beyond Dr. Maxwell’s message. However, grappled with Maxwell saying God used emergency measures for the fallen world. Now after several years of being a regular listener of the Come And Reasoning bible study class and attending Jennings’ meetings in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, things are becoming clearer for me. Design law versus imposed law has added so much to my personal understanding of theology. This message has really impacted my work in counseling so many people miserable because they are searching for and trusting human governments to create order and peace or believing in a God who says love Me or I will kill you. I am grateful that I have an alternative view to offer my clients that makes sense. I teach a bible study class on a semi-regular basis and I value the materials that Come And Reason so freely offers to aid me in presenting this vital message. Thank you for continuing to provide advancement in our very limited understanding of a Infinite God that is rational and believable.

Dr. Roger D, Arlington, TX, USA

 

Testimony 44

We were given a gift of the DVD set, “God and Your Brain,” and we just finished watching it. The truths in this are so powerful and truly an answer to a prayer. We’re seeing hope where once we thought God wasn’t answering our prayers to be free of certain mindsets. He answered with these DVDs and we are hungry for more. Thank you!

Daniel T., Easley, SC, USA

 

Testimony 40

I was brought up in a different faith and have been petrified my whole life of God. I believed that I would burn in hell for eternity. When I was 12 I started pursuing the things of this world, but for the next 45 years the Spirit was always calling me, as I knew there was a God through nature. I could see the vast sea of stars in the universe and knew there was something bigger out there. Five years ago, through a Revelation seminar, I was blessed to learn about God’s character and government.

Then I found Come and Reason Ministries and have come under some extreme pressure when I speak about the ministry. One time a member sent me an internet article titled “Whats wrong with Tim Jennings?” I asked her what she thought of it and she said “I don’t know, I didn’t read it.”

I have always wanted to find out for myself the truth about God, so I stayed with the Design Law construct and have been liberated to understand the big picture. Once we consider Design Law, all other Bible stories and prophecies seem to fit perfectly. It is truly beautiful to see people grasping how God operates this Universe of Love and the liberation it has provided in their lives. It blows my mind to see how consistent Design law is with what our founders believed. I hear statements like “This makes so much sense.”

Tom W., Mt. Pleasant, MI, USA

 

Testimony 15

I have been sharing Come And Reason Ministries Bible study lessons with several folk. You have such a beautiful view of the plan of salvation. If we had this message preached when I was young, my generation would still all be in church.

H. R., New Zealand

Testimony 36

Thank you and may God continue to bless you as you share with others the intricacies of how we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made”. I must share that you have opened a whole new world to me, and I have found tremendous healing through what you have shared in two of your books, “Could It Be This Simple?” and “The God Shaped Brain.” I praise God for what you shared, what I have learned, and how I have grown and healed! My prayer is that My Precious Jesus will be seen by others in the way I live, act, talk, etc. and they may be encouraged to know He is truly a GREAT God of LOVE, desiring that no one should perish! God Bless you in your continued endeavors to present Him as He really is!

Joleen H. GA, USA

 

Testimony 48

I just want to tell you how blessed I have been reading “The Remedy!” It has become a daily part of my devotional relationship with God. In it I have found a God of love and a God that loves me! The bible has come alive for me! It is the first time that I can say that I have felt hope fill my heart as I have read God’s word. This is good news I can share! Thank you, Dr Jennings! Thank you for your heart for others. I can’t put into words how this has set me free! It has strengthened my trust and love for God.

Jason H.

 

Testimony 20

I just wanted to personally thank you for your teachings and insight into scripture. I came across your website via my cousin who suggested I look into “Healing the Mind” information. My youngest daughter has been struggling over the last couple of years and it all came to a head this spring. When I started listening to the “Healing the Mind” lectures my own life began to be transformed. I began sharing with all my daughters the concepts you laid out so clearly. I ordered your book and soaked it up. I just want to say “Thank You!” My walk with the Lord has been refreshed and renewed. Your obedience to the Lord is a blessing to so many.

R. K., Anderson, SC, USA

 

Testimony 1

Thank you! I love listening to the Come And Reason Ministries Bible study classes and am using some of your notes to get the lessons together that I will be teaching. You always have such good quotes and Bible texts and pull things together to make good sense.

T. C., IN, USA

 

Testimony 8

Thank you for the ministry you are sharing with us, it is a real blessing to us and especially to my husband and myself! You are encouraging us to think for ourselves and not just to except everything, without thinking it through, with God’s word!

M.K., USA

 

Testimony 24

I wanted to thank you very much for presenting your understanding of God. I’ve always been troubled by this question: Why did Jesus have to die? Since my conversion I understood that The Father & Jesus are one, I did not have issues with that. But was there not any other way to save us than for Jesus to die? I guess I actually had a question about God – if He is so wise, how come He did not find another way? I did not see the real ‘beauty’  in the cross. Only when you explained the picture in the medical context, Jesus providing medicine for my selfishness, have I started to finally ‘see the light’. Thank you so much. Your seminar, “Healing the Mind,” are absolutely marvelous & have shared them with my family and many other people, including colleagues at work. Thanks, thanks, thanks. May God bless you abundantly in your ministry.

M. W., Australia

 

Testimony 62

I would like to express my thanks to the C&R team for creating a platform from which people can learn to trust in God and grow. My life is a witness to the effectiveness of this ministry. Without believing the truth about God as you have shown, I don’t know what my life would be like. I had given up on God helping me with certain sins – it was all useless. Given that the scripture is clear and God is so good, how could I have betrayed him so many times? I was a yo-yo christian; spinning up and down. My faith and enthusiasm was driven by discoveries/threats that prophecy is about to be fulfilled. But when I watched your “Healing the Mind” seminar, it was like a light finally went on. I could see God had no plan to hurt me, the danger came from sin, and that He is working to protect me and strengthen me. Thank you for allowing God to use you. The message God gave C&R saved my life!

Antony N. – Hobart, Australia

 

Testimony 28

I have been following your Bible study class for about a year now. I must say I am impressed with how your ministry has grown. I took it upon myself to listen to all your lesson podcasts from the past and they have both enriched me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I have learnt a lot from this class. I have also noticed how the class has grown in spiritual strength. One of the things that benefited me is that now I am not afraid of God. I use to be, but now it has melted away. The second thing is that you helped me to have a real life relationship with God. Now He is my friend that was always there and I love having him with me all the time. Thirdly, because of this class, it inspired me to take over and lead a class. I have called it “Let Us Reason Together,” adapting your inquisitive style and creating a class of free thinkers.

T. Banda, Malawi, Africa