What is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)? 

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy is a groundbreaking, FDA-cleared treatment that uses gentle magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain affected by mental health conditions. Most commonly used to treat depression, TMS is safe, well-tolerated, and has shown efficacy rates as high as 79-80% in certain cases.

TMS is both non-invasive and non-systemic, meaning it does not require surgery, sedation, or the use of medication. There are no injections, no chemicals entering your bloodstream, and no disruption to your daily routine. Sessions are conducted in an outpatient setting, allowing you to resume normal activities immediately after treatment.

TMS is a holistic, evidence-based treatment modality involving cutting edge technology. 

TMS Therapy treats mental health conditions by working with the body’s natural processes rather than relying on medications or invasive procedures. TMS aligns with ‘Ai Pono’s holistic approach by:

1. Addressing the Root Cause

Rather than just masking symptoms, TMS stimulates and restores neural activity in the brain, promoting long-term healing. It supports the brain’s natural ability to regulate mood and function optimally.

2. Being Non-Invasive & Drug-Free

TMS does not require surgery, anesthesia, or medication. Many holistic approaches prioritize non-toxic, non-invasive treatments that work with the body’s own healing mechanisms—TMS fits this model perfectly.

3. Supporting Whole-Person Wellness

Mental health is deeply connected to overall well-being. TMS can help improve mood, energy, cognitive function, and resilience, allowing individuals to engage more fully in self-care, relationships, and other holistic healing practices like therapy, nutrition, movement, and mindfulness.

4. Having Minimal Side Effects

TMS does not introduce foreign substances into the body. This makes it a preferred choice for those who seek natural or gentle treatment options.

5. Enhancing Neuroplasticity

TMS helps retrain the brain by strengthening neural pathways, which can lead to long-term improvements in mental health. Many holistic therapies, such as meditation and lifestyle changes, also focus on rewiring thought patterns and promoting neuroplasticity.

How TMS Works

TMS Therapy targets regions of the brain that are underactive due to a patient’s condition. By delivering precisely calibrated magnetic pulses, TMS stimulates neurons, helping them return to normal function. Unlike medication, which affects the entire body, TMS is highly targeted—reaching just 5-6 centimeters beneath the coil without impacting surrounding areas of the brain.

Using TMS to Treat Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders 

In the context of eating disorder treatment, it is common to encounter co-occurring mental health disorders that complicate the recovery process:

• Anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), frequently coexist with eating disorders, often contributing to rigid behaviors and intrusive thoughts about food or body image.
• Depression is another prevalent condition, manifesting as low self-worth, hopelessness, or loss of interest in activities once enjoyed.
• Bipolar disorder, characterized by extreme mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs, can also coexist with eating disorders, intensifying emotional instability and the struggle for balance.
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) performed to reduce anxiety. 
• Trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can also underpin disordered eating behaviors, as individuals may use food as a coping mechanism.

Effective eating disorder treatment requires addressing these co-occurring conditions through an integrated, individualized approach that treats the whole person, fostering resilience and sustainable recovery. Currently FDA cleared to treat major depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder, there is also a growing body of scientific evidence supporting the use of TMS as a treatment for a wide range of brain disorders. These disorders include bipolar depression, generalized anxiety, autism, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, and chronic pain.

How TMS Helps with Eating Disorders

TMS Therapy is an emerging treatment for eating disorders, particularly binge eating disorder (BED) and anorexia nervosa (2),  by targeting brain regions involved in impulse control, reward processing, and mood regulation.

1. Regulating the Prefrontal Cortex

The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) plays a key role in impulse control and decision-making. In conditions like binge eating disorder, this area may be underactive, leading to compulsive eating behaviors. TMS can help restore balance and improve self-regulation.

2. Reducing Food Related obsessions and Compulsions

Studies suggest that TMS can decrease food related obsessions and compulsions by altering neural activity in reward-related brain circuits, similar to its effects in addiction treatments.

3. Alleviating Co-Occurring Anxiety and Depression

Many individuals with eating disorders also struggle with depression, anxiety, or OCD-like behaviors. Since TMS is FDA-approved for depression and OCD, it can address these underlying conditions, which often contribute to disordered eating patterns.

4. Restoring Healthy Brain Function

TMS promotes neuroplasticity, helping the brain rewire itself for healthier thought patterns and behaviors related to food, body image, and emotional regulation.

Integrating TMS Into a Holistic Eating Disorder Treatment Plan

The residential eating disorder treatment setting provides a safe and structured environment where TMS therapy can be seamlessly integrated with psychotherapy, nutritional counseling, and other holistic treatments to maximize healing. Receiving TMS in this setting offers several key advantages that enhance recovery outcomes.

One major benefit is enhanced effectiveness. When combined with psychotherapy approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), TMS may further stimulate neuroplasticity, helping individuals retrain their brains and shift unhealthy thought patterns more effectively.

Additionally, emotional and clinical support is readily available. As TMS improves brain function, some individuals may experience emotional shifts. In a residential setting, trained clinicians are present to help patients process these changes, ensuring a compassionate and supportive experience. If mild side effects, such as headaches or scalp discomfort, occur, staff can provide immediate care and adjustments for added comfort.

Consistency and accountability are also key advantages of receiving TMS in a residential program. Since TMS requires multiple sessions over several weeks, a structured setting ensures consistent attendance, leading to better and longer-lasting results. With encouragement from both staff and peers, individuals remain engaged and motivated throughout treatment.

Another critical benefit is faster and more lasting progress. By removing daily stressors and allowing individuals to focus entirely on healing, a residential environment helps maximize the effects of TMS. Many patients experience improved mood, reduced anxiety, and enhanced cognitive function, all of which contribute to deeper engagement in therapy and a more sustainable recovery.

Lastly, a safe and nurturing environment is essential for those with co-occurring disorders, such as eating disorders and depression. Residential treatment provides a structured, relapse-preventative space where individuals can develop new coping strategies alongside TMS therapy.

By integrating TMS with intensive, whole-person care, residential treatment optimizes the benefits of this innovative therapy, offering a powerful and holistic path toward long-term healing.

Book a call with us today to know how ‘Ai Pono Hawaii can be a helpful partner in your healing from your eating disorder and co-occurring mental health struggles.

Sources:

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39812947/

2. https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.ajp-rj.2023.180302