Are TMS Side Effects Something to Worry About? (Spoiler: Usually Not)
If you’ve been considering Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for depression, anxiety, or OCD, it’s completely normal to wonder:
“What about side effects?”
The good news: TMS is one of the safest, best-tolerated treatments in modern psychiatry.
Side effects are usually mild, short-term, and much easier to manage than many antidepressant medication side effects.
⭐ What Are the Most Common TMS Side Effects?
These are the side effects most people notice — and they usually improve quickly:
1. Mild Scalp Sensitivity or Tapping
You may feel a tapping sensation on the scalp during treatment. This typically improves within the first week.
2. Mild Headache
About 20–30% of patients experience temporary headaches early in treatment. These usually respond well to Tylenol or Ibuprofen.
3. Temporary Fatigue
Some people feel unusually tired after the first few sessions. This is normal and improves with time.
4. Brief Facial Muscle Twitching
Small muscles near the stimulation site may twitch momentarily during the magnetic pulses. This stops immediately and is not harmful.
⚡ What Doesn’t Happen With TMS
A lot of confusion comes from mixing up TMS with older treatments like ECT (“shock therapy”). With TMS, you do not experience:
- no anesthesia
- no memory loss
- no electrical current entering the brain
- no need to stop medications
- no systemic side effects like weight gain or emotional blunting
You stay awake, you drive yourself home, and you return to your normal routine afterward.
Not sure how TMS works? Learn more here: What Is TMS? (New Chapter TMS)
🧠 How Safe Is TMS Compared to Medications?
TMS is local to the brain, which means it avoids the systemic side effects often seen with antidepressants. That’s one reason many people choose TMS when medications aren’t working—or are causing difficult side effects.
Large safety reviews continue to show how well-tolerated TMS is:
- 2021 Safety Review: “rTMS is safe, well-tolerated, and has a low risk of serious adverse events.”
Kim et al., 2021 (NIH/PMC) - 2023 Review: Most side effects are “mild and transient.”
Bakulin et al., 2023
| Treatment | Common Side Effects | Serious Risks | Recovery Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| TMS | Mild scalp discomfort, headache, fatigue | Extremely rare seizure | None — resume normal activities |
| Antidepressant Medications | Weight gain, sexual side effects, nausea, sleep disruption | Withdrawal risk, serotonin syndrome, increased suicidal ideation | Daily dosing, systemic side effects |
| ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy) | Memory loss, confusion | Anesthesia-related risks | Requires recovery after each session |
🚨 Are Serious Side Effects Possible?
The most serious risk discussed with TMS is seizure — but it is extremely rare.
How rare?
About 1 in 60,000 sessions.
That’s similar to (or lower than) the risk of seizure from common antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin). All patients are carefully screened for risk factors before beginning treatment.
👋 When Should You Contact Your Provider?
Although uncommon, you should reach out if you experience:
- persistent or worsening headaches
- increasing anxiety during treatment
- any unusual neurological symptoms
- a change in medications (some may slightly lower seizure threshold)
Your care team can adjust comfort settings or coil positioning to keep treatment comfortable.
🧭 What to Expect at New Chapter TMS
At New Chapter TMS, your comfort and safety are built into every step:
- personalized brain mapping for accuracy
- gentle ramp-up periods to avoid discomfort
- frequent check-ins during your treatment course
- teen-specific safety protocols for adolescents
If you’re curious about TMS for teens, visit: Teen TMS Care
If you want to understand more about depression treatment options, see: Depression & Treatment-Resistant Depression
Bottom Line
TMS side effects are usually mild, manageable, and temporary — and the treatment is far safer than most medication-based approaches.
If you’ve been avoiding TMS because of fear about side effects, you’re not alone. But most patients are surprised by how simple and comfortable the process is.
Want to learn whether TMS is right for you? We’re here to help. Call us or schedule a consultation online.
We’ll review your situation, check insurance coverage, and help you decide if TMS is right for you.
If you ever feel unsafe or hopeless, please reach out right now: call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). You are not alone.