TMS side effects are identified and explained in this article. TMS is considered to be a very well-tolerated treatment, particularly when comparing TMS side effects with some other forms of treatment for Major Depression. Safety for TMS has been looked at extensively in clinical research, and when comparing the treatment to ECT and antidepressant medications, TMS is accepted as a very safe treatment option.
TMS side effects do exist, and while not everyone experiences them, some people do. We have outlined the possible side effects here:
This means feeling faint. This is more common in younger and more anxious patients, and in patients who have had similar experiences with other medical procedures, such as dental procedures. While this is an uncomfortable feeling and slightly embarrassing, it is not dangerous.
Mild headaches may occur after the treatment session has finished. Usually, this requires only mild pain killers such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen. If headaches do occur, they are more likely to happen during and after the initial treatment sessions.
Some patients also complain of a mild pain over the scalp during or after the treatment. Mild pain killers such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen usually resolve the headaches. Typically, this occurs more frequently in the first few treatments and subsides as treatment progresses.
When TMS is used within the safe levels that have been researched, seizures are extremely unlikely to occur. Despite this, our staff will monitor for changes in medication, caffeine use or other things that increase your risk of seizures during your treatment. The chance of a seizure occurring is 1 in 30,000. At Sydney TMS, we can confidently state that we have not had a patient experience a seizure. Rest assured that our staff have been trained in handling a seizure, and we have policies and procedures in place for the management of a seizure if one were to occur.
Occasionally, patients may experience elevated energy and difficulty sleeping after TMS. If this occurs, usually your doctor can help you with this while continuing treatment.
In the research paper, Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in the treatment of depression (2018), by William Pridmore. Click Here to read the article. Pridmore states, “adverse effects are generally trivial rather than serious and there are no long-term undesirable effects” This is particularly comforting for people who are considering TMS treatment and investigating the associated TMS side effects.
The best thing about TMS is that it isn’t associated with significant side effects associated with medication therapy like weight fluctuation, sexual dysfunction or drowsiness. To read more about the benefits of TMS, Click Here
Should you be concerned we encourage you to talk to the team at Sydney TMS to go through the information Click Here.
Updated 30th June 2025