Does TMS Therapy Hurt? What It Actually Feels Like—And What to Expect
If you’ve been talking with your doctor about NeuroStar Advanced TMS therapy for depression, OCD, or anxious depression, you might be wondering something super common: Does it hurt?
Let’s be real—trying a new treatment for your mental health can feel a little intimidating. And if you’ve heard the words “magnetic pulses to the brain,” your mind might go straight to discomfort. So here’s the honest answer: TMS doesn’t hurt for most people, but it’s not exactly cozy either. Some people feel mild discomfort, especially during the first few sessions. Others describe it as more intense—something between annoying and temporarily painful.
The good news? You won’t go through it alone. At Collaborative Solutions in Psychiatry, a trained TMS team member is right there with you throughout every single session to make sure you’re doing okay and to help adjust things if needed.
During each session, you’ll sit in a comfy reclined chair while the NeuroStar device rests gently near your head. Once the session starts, you’ll hear a clicking or tapping sound as magnetic pulses are delivered to specific areas of your brain. You’ll also feel a tapping sensation on your scalp, which can range from light to stronger depending on the treatment area.
It’s a strange feeling at first. We won’t pretend it’s soothing—but most patients say they get used to it after the first few sessions. The tapping always happens (that’s how the treatment works), but it tends to feel less noticeable as your body adjusts. We’ll also offer earplugs to help soften the sound and make the session feel a little more comfortable.
And remember—you’re awake and alert the whole time, and your TMS technician stays with you throughout your visit. Whether you want to talk, zone out, or just sit quietly, we’re here for you.
Let’s be honest—some people do describe the sensation as painful, especially in those first few sessions. That’s totally valid. But pain doesn’t mean something is wrong. It just means your brain and scalp are reacting to a new kind of stimulation, and it takes some getting used to.
The important thing is: we don’t expect you to push through alone. If you’re feeling more discomfort than you can tolerate, let your technician know. We can often adjust the coil’s position slightly to avoid stimulating facial nerves while still delivering the treatment effectively. It won’t take the tapping away, but it can make a big difference in how it feels.
The goal is never to make you “tough it out”—it’s to help you complete treatment in a way that feels doable and supported.
One thing we love about the NeuroStar system is how thoughtfully it was designed. It includes something called contact-sensing technology, which helps make sure you’re getting just the right level of stimulation—not too much, not too little. It’s a small but important part of what helps TMS be both safe and effective.
Just as important is sticking with the full course of treatment. TMS isn’t a quick fix—it’s more like a steady build. Some people start to notice shifts halfway through, while others feel the biggest changes near the end. So if you’re not seeing progress right away, hang in there. You’re not alone—and your care team is always ready to adjust your plan to help you get the most out of each session.
At Collaborative Solutions in Psychiatry, our goal is to help you feel supported and informed through every part of your TMS journey. We know this isn’t always easy—but it’s absolutely worth exploring, especially if other treatments haven’t worked for you.
So if you’re thinking about TMS or have more questions, reach out to us. We’ll walk you through it, talk through your concerns, and help you decide if this could be the right next step in your mental health care.
References
.Fitzgerald PB, et al. Managing discomfort in repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation: A review. Brain Stimul. 2020;13(6):1447-1454.