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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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The message [of Come And Reason Ministries is] for all Christians (and those who may become Christians) and not just Adventists or any other group. It is difficult to imagine why any [anyone] with intellectual and spiritual honesty could find fault with the way you explained the healing substitution concepts and the truth about God’s character, though I know some will reject and criticize. On behalf of those in our group near Tacoma, WA, thank you and your staff for all of the hard work and for sharing the Gospel in this manner. God’s message of healing love will be carried to the whole world and then Jesus will come – He promised it.

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Testimony 30

God lead me to your book “The God-Shaped Brain” while I was searching for another book about the brain and then to your interview about your book on HeartWise Ministries [where] I found out about [Come And Reason Ministries]. I’m now devouring the webcasts of your Bible studies. I have been so greatly blessed and I thank God so much for your courage to speak the Truth in love no matter what. Listening to you contrast the two opposing systems (laws) and digging deep to unearth the hidden treasures in the Bible makes me so incredibly happy and I feel very blessed to be part of your Bible Study Group although I live far away. I am just so excited that there is a group of people that is spreading the Truth about the character of God and it saddens me how few realize what our Father in Heaven is really like.

Kessy B., Australia

 

Testimony 16

Your seminars are still inspiring and changing our lives and we continue to share the principles we have learned from you. Your ministry has changed our lives!

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Testimony 27

Your teachings about our heavenly Father have changed my life. Thank you sooooooo very very much! I know He’s doing some serious healing in my heart and life and I look forward to each new day to learn something new about Him and to just hear you speak about Him. Thank you, forever.

Nancy S.

 

Testimony 55

I was born [into the church], then I left it for many years. 10 years ago, I came back, but I could not take the hypocrisy and the lack of answers to the missing pieces. I struggled, but I did not abandon my commitment to know the truth. God is leading me to the simple understanding of his relevance and I am relearning what the church taught me as a youth… that he loves me, that he has led me to a knowledge of him such as I have never known. He is using Dr. Jennings to connect the dots that are now so apparent and hiding in plain sight!

Dean P., Arlington, TX, USA

 

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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!

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Testimony 57

You have helped make sense of thirty two years of confusion. The material you freely provide reorganized so much of my life into such a beautiful pattern that has always been hinted at from within, but misguided with my training and what I was experiencing externally. My filipno parents, who were converted from Catholicism to SDA, were sincere and did their best to raise me the right way and I have deep respect for them. However, being immigrants and not understanding the language made for a difficult transition as I was growing up, which also applied to my spiritual growth as I learned the patterns of religion. I have been listening to as many bible study classes and reading blog posts as my time in a work truck will allow, searching for the practical applications of where spirituality and reality meet, and I thank you for helping me find that. You have helped me reach a point in which I can truly say that I love God, that I believe He loves me, and, like David, I delight in His law. God bless.

Emmanuel V., Calgary, AB Canada

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We listen to your bible studies lessons in our class in Montana. You actually were the main reason I decided to get a laptop, so I can go to your site and listen, read, learn, and print the class notes. I am so grateful to learn the correct view of God and his character. Now, to just have others have an interest in knowing, so I can share it with them. Good thoughts your way.

R. N., MT, USA

 

Testimony 50

After coming into contact with Come And Reason Ministries, I can finally say that many of my unanswered questions have fallen into place. I discovered that my view of God’s Law was “imposed laws and rules” with “imposed punishments” and that this was the major culprit of my many unanswered questions. Thanks be to God for using you and those around you to help us who have struggled with this “infection” of thought. I have now rejected the “imposed law” concept to fully embrace “Design Law”… to look thru “Design Law,” instead of “imposed law,” is a relief.

Viliami L., Australia

 

Testimony 38

Since November 2015, when I started studying Gods word from this God Is Love point of view, my life has been transformed. My troubled marriage of 15 years has been healed and my husband and I are truly happy for the first time in 15 years. Now When I read the word of God I understand it so much better and I can’t help but see Gods love radiating through the pages to humanity. Gods word is living and active and I am blessed beyond measure to be having this amazing experience. God has given me a beautiful understanding of Jn 3:16 that amazes me more and more each day. Thank you again for your ministry.

Helen D., London, England

 

Testimony 70

I have been watching you for many years and have learned to love God with all my heart. I was raised by a loving Christian mother that had been lied to about who God really was, so our religious upbringing was hell fire and damnation. As soon as I was old enough and moved out, I not only left the church, I ran as fast as I could to get away from it. Sad to say, it wasn’t until the past couple of years that I learned and understand who my Father really is and how much He loves me. I understand God’s Design Laws (which make sense) and when I’m teaching my church Bible study class, I’m able to really put to use the things I’ve been learning and Holy Spirit is leading. Thank you for introducing me to my Father of true, pure love. Everyday with Him is new and exciting. One thing that breaks my heart is that I didn’t know Him sooner. God Bless you and your ministry!

Judy Phelps, Reno, NV, USA

Testimony 46

Over the past couple of years God has been expanding my view of Himself and His character. Along my approximately 40-year journey, I have often had questions, but was hesitant to voice these and step outside the traditionally accepted thinking, for fear of admitting that I may in fact be eternally lost. In the recesses of my thinking has been the thought – if one blindly accepts (which is widely regarded as “real faith”) and does not question, is this really ‘truth?’ I often find it challenging to grapple with very theological ‘speak,’ but Dr. Jennings has a real gift of explaining spiritual concepts with clear practical examples. The weekly discussions are growing my Christian experience and slowly changing my view of how to live as a child of God in today’s complex world. Finally the whole Old Testament sanctuary teaching moved in my mind from fantasy to reality!

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