Standard vs. Deep TMS: What’s the Difference?
Medically reviewed by Dr. Ted Wirecki, MD
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive treatment that uses gentle magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain involved in mood, behavior, and other neurological functions. It is most commonly used to treat major depressive disorder in people who have not found sufficient relief with medication, but it has also become an effective treatment option for conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), smoking addiction, and certain other mental health disorders. As TMS technology has evolved, different forms of treatment have emerged, including standard TMS and Deep TMS, each offering unique advantages depending on a patient’s needs.
Standard TMS
Standard TMS is the most established form of transcranial magnetic stimulation and has been used successfully for many years to treat depression and other mental health conditions. During treatment, a figure-eight-shaped magnetic coil is placed against the scalp to deliver targeted magnetic pulses to a specific area near the surface of the brain, most often the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which plays an important role in regulating mood.
Because the magnetic field is highly focused, standard TMS allows providers to precisely stimulate the targeted brain region while avoiding surrounding tissue. Treatments are performed in an outpatient setting, require no anesthesia or recovery time, and patients remain awake and alert throughout each session. Standard TMS has helped many individuals who have not experienced adequate relief from antidepressant medications and remains an effective, well-researched option for treatment-resistant depression.
Deep TMS
Deep TMS builds on the same non-invasive principles as standard TMS but uses a specially designed H-coil that allows magnetic pulses to reach deeper and broader brain networks. Rather than focusing primarily on a single surface-level area, Deep TMS can stimulate multiple interconnected regions that may be involved in complex mental health conditions.
This broader stimulation has expanded the range of conditions that can be treated and has made Deep TMS an important option for patients who may benefit from a wider treatment approach. Like standard TMS, treatments are performed in an outpatient setting, require no anesthesia, and allow patients to resume normal activities immediately afterward. Deep TMS is FDA-cleared for several conditions, including major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and smoking addiction, and research continues to explore its potential for additional neurological and psychiatric disorders.
While both standard TMS and Deep TMS use magnetic stimulation to treat mental health conditions without surgery or medication, standard vs. deep TMS differ in how they target the brain and the range of conditions they are designed to address. The right option depends on your diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment goals. If you’re considering TMS therapy, speaking with a qualified provider can help determine which approach may be the best fit for your individual needs.
