Brainsway Deep TMS is now FDA cleared for treating Cigarette Addiction

Houston West TMS Blog Brainsway Deep TMS is now FDA cleared for treating Cigarette Addiction

Brainsway Deep TMS was the first TMS device to have been FDA cleared for Smoking Addiction.  Brainsway TMS works by generating powerful magnetic pulses that create electrical currents in specific areas of the brain. These electrical currents activate brain cells and neuronal networks in the brain to produce the desired treatment effect.

It is very hard to stop smoking, as 34 million Americans can attest.  Mark Twain was quoted as saying "Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I've tried it thousands of times."  Cigarettes lead to 480,000 deaths a year in the U.S.  Up to one-third of people with psychological distress smoke, leading to additional health burdens for themselves and society.

There are not a lot of treatment options available for smokers. Many of you have tried and failed Wellbutrin (generic name, Bupropion) and Chantix. These medications have side effects and the one-year quit rate is only 15-23%. Nicotine Replacement therapies only have a 20% quit rate. The safety and long-term risks of vaping are disturbing.  Group therapy, individual therapy, and phone apps are even less effective. 

Deep TMS can be used alone or in combination with the other treatment options.  TMS does not have systemic side effects like prescription or over the counter medications. It has been proven to be safe and effective for smoking addiction. The study that got Brainsway Deep TMS FDA approved for adults who had previously failed to quit smoking, showed cigarette cravings and consumption decreased by half after 2 weeks of TMS treatments, and by 75% at 6 weeks. At 18 weeks the quit rate was 5 times greater for the TMS patients than the control group. TMS is performed in a doctor's office as an outpatient procedure.  It includes 5 treatments a week for 2 weeks, followed by 3 weekly sessions (18 total treatments).  Unfortunately, insurance will not cover TMS to help people stop smoking yet.  Insurance only covers TMS for Treatment-Resistant depression and sometimes for OCD currently.

Brainsway Deep TMS is another treatment option to help people stop smoking. It is great to have another safe effective option to help reduce the stigma and burden of cigarette smoking.

Author
William Drell, MD Houston West TMS and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Our practice is continually monitoring the CDC Guidelines and recommendations from Brainsway and will adjust precautions as necessary to ensure the safety of our patients. We are enforcing recommended Social Distancing s for patients and staff throughout our office and waiting room. Our TMS device is being thoroughly disinfected between sessions, with special attention being paid to surfaces that come into direct contact with patients or operators including the helmet and chair. We are also regularly disinfecting commonly touched surfaces including door handles, light switches and countertops, etc. The office building has implemented extra deep cleaning and more frequent cleansing of bathrooms and water fountains. Any patients who are experiencing symptoms of fever, cough or shortness of breath or who have been exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID-19 should notify our staff before coming in for their TMS treatment so we can decide the treatment options.

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