What BrainsWay TMS Is

BrainsWay TMS is a medical device that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain. TMS stands for transcranial magnetic stimulation. Unlike ketamine, which is a medication that enters your bloodstream, BrainsWay TMS works through magnetic coils placed against your scalp — no injection or infusion required.

The device sends repeated magnetic pulses to the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain involved in mood regulation. The pulses are painless, though you may feel a tapping sensation on your scalp during treatment. The FDA cleared BrainsWay TMS for treatment-resistant depression in 2008 and later for other conditions including obsessive-compulsive disorder.

BrainsWay TMS is one of several TMS devices on the market. What distinguishes it is the shape and depth of the magnetic coil — BrainsWay uses a deeper, H-shaped coil designed to reach brain tissue further below the surface than some other TMS devices.

Key Takeaways

  • BrainsWay TMS uses magnetic pulses delivered through a coil on your scalp to stimulate brain regions involved in mood, with no medication entering your body.
  • A typical course of treatment involves sessions five days a week for four to six weeks, each session lasting 20 to 40 minutes depending on the protocol.
  • You remain awake and alert during the procedure and can return to normal activities when ready afterward, including driving.
  • Insurance coverage varies widely — some plans cover BrainsWay TMS for depression, while others do not, and out-of-pocket costs can range significantly depending on your provider and location.
  • Results are not when ready; most people who respond see improvement over weeks, and some see continued improvement for months after treatment ends.

How a BrainsWay TMS Session Works

When you arrive for treatment, you sit in a comfortable chair or recline on a treatment bed. A trained technician positions the magnetic coil against your scalp, usually over the left prefrontal cortex. The coil is held in place by an arm attached to the treatment chair.

The technician will first perform a motor threshold test — they deliver a single magnetic pulse to your motor cortex (a different brain region) to find the minimum strength needed to produce a visible twitch in your thumb or finger. This measurement helps them set the correct intensity for your treatment session. The motor threshold is unique to each person and may shift slightly over the course of treatment.

Once the intensity is set, the treatment begins. You will hear a rhythmic clicking or tapping sound as the coil delivers pulses in a pattern — typically 10 to 20 seconds of pulses followed by a rest period, repeated many times. The whole session usually lasts 20 to 40 minutes depending on which BrainsWay protocol your doctor chooses. You remain fully awake and can speak to the technician at any time.

After the session ends, the coil is removed and you can leave when ready. There is no sedation, no recovery period, and no restriction on driving or operating machinery. You can return to work or other activities right away.

Treatment Schedule and Duration

A standard BrainsWay TMS course involves sessions five days a week — Monday through Friday — for four to six weeks. That means roughly 20 to 30 total sessions. Some treatment plans may be shorter or longer depending on your response and your doctor's recommendation.

The frequency matters because the brain changes are thought to build over time with repeated stimulation. Missing sessions or spacing them further apart may reduce effectiveness. However, if you need to skip a day or two for a legitimate reason, one or two missed sessions in a month-long course typically does not derail the treatment.

After the initial course ends, some people continue with maintenance sessions — typically one or two per week — to sustain improvement. Others stop treatment entirely. Your doctor will discuss what comes next based on how you respond.

What BrainsWay TMS Costs and Insurance Coverage

The cost of BrainsWay TMS varies widely depending on where you receive it, whether you have insurance, and what your plan covers. A single session can range from $300 to $1,000 or more at different treatment centers. A full course of 20 to 30 sessions could cost anywhere from $6,000 to $30,000 before insurance.

Insurance coverage is inconsistent. Some major insurers cover BrainsWay TMS for treatment-resistant depression if you meet their specific criteria — usually meaning you have tried and failed at least two antidepressant medications. Other plans do not cover it at all, or cover it only for certain diagnoses. Your insurance company's coverage rules may differ from another company's, even if you both have the same employer.

Before starting treatment, ask the treatment center to contact your insurance company and request a prior authorization or coverage information. This tells you in advance whether your plan will pay and what your out-of-pocket responsibility will be. If your plan does not cover it, ask whether the treatment center offers payment plans or sliding-scale fees based on income.

Side Effects and Safety Considerations

BrainsWay TMS has a good safety record overall. The most common side effect is mild discomfort or soreness at the site where the coil touches your scalp — similar to a mild headache. This usually fades within a few hours or days and can often be managed with over-the-counter pain relief.

Some people report mild dizziness, lightheadedness, or a brief mood shift during or shortly after a session. These effects are typically temporary and resolve within minutes to hours. Nausea is uncommon but can occur.

A rare but serious risk is seizure. The risk is very low — less than 1 in 1,000 — and is lower with BrainsWay TMS than with some other TMS devices because the deeper coil reduces stimulation of the surface brain tissue where seizures are more likely to start. Your doctor will screen you for seizure risk before treatment begins.

BrainsWay TMS is not recommended if you have metal implants in your head or neck — such as aneurysm clips, cochlear implants, or certain types of brain stimulation devices — because the magnetic field can interfere with them. Tell your doctor about any metal in your body before treatment.

How BrainsWay TMS Compares to Ketamine Treatment

Both BrainsWay TMS and ketamine are used for depression that has not responded to standard antidepressants, but they work in very different ways. Ketamine is a medication that alters brain chemistry directly; BrainsWay TMS uses magnetic stimulation to change brain activity patterns.

Ketamine works faster — some people feel improvement within hours or days — while BrainsWay TMS typically takes weeks. Ketamine requires an infusion or injection and carries the risk of dissociation (feeling detached from your body) during treatment. BrainsWay TMS is non-invasive and you remain fully alert.

Ketamine is not yet FDA-approved as a depression treatment, though the FDA has cleared a ketamine nasal spray (Esketamine) for treatment-resistant depression. BrainsWay TMS has FDA clearance and a longer track record of use. Insurance coverage differs for each — some plans cover one but not the other.

Some people try one treatment, and if it does not work or stops working, they try the other. Others use them together, though this is less common and requires coordination with your doctor.

What Happens After Treatment Ends

After your course of BrainsWay TMS is complete, your doctor will assess how you responded. If you improved significantly, you may stop treatment and continue with other supports — such as therapy or antidepressant medication — to maintain that improvement. Some people's improvement lasts months or longer after treatment ends.

If you improved somewhat but not completely, your doctor may recommend continuing with maintenance sessions — typically one or two per week — to sustain the benefit. If you did not improve, your doctor may suggest trying a different treatment, adjusting the TMS protocol, or exploring other options like ketamine or medication changes.

Relapse is possible. Some people who improve with BrainsWay TMS experience a return of symptoms weeks or months later. If that happens, you can return for another course of treatment. Your doctor will discuss the signs to watch for and when to reach out if symptoms return.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does BrainsWay TMS hurt?

No. You may feel a tapping or knocking sensation on your scalp during the session, and some people experience mild scalp soreness afterward similar to a light headache. The magnetic pulses themselves are painless — you do not feel them directly, only the mechanical vibration of the coil.

Can I work while receiving BrainsWay TMS treatment?

Yes. Because sessions are brief (20 to 40 minutes) and you can drive when ready afterward, many people schedule treatment early in the morning or during lunch and return to work the same day. You may want to discuss scheduling with your employer if you need five sessions per week.

How long does it take to see results?

Most people who respond to BrainsWay TMS begin to notice improvement in mood, energy, or sleep within two to four weeks of starting treatment. Some see changes sooner; others take the full four to six weeks. Continued improvement can occur for weeks or months after treatment ends.

What if I miss a session?

One or two missed sessions in a month-long course typically does not significantly reduce effectiveness. However, the treatment is designed as a regular course, so try to keep to your schedule. If you need to miss multiple sessions, talk to your doctor about how it might affect your outcome.

Is BrainsWay TMS permanent?

The effects are not permanent. Some people's improvement lasts months after treatment ends, while others experience a gradual return of symptoms over weeks. If symptoms return, you can have another course of treatment. Your doctor may also recommend ongoing therapy or medication to help sustain improvement.