We’ve covered devices that are designed to send electrical currents through your head (such as “Coffee, Tea, or Thync?“) but this is about a product that uses magnetic fields instead.
Brainsway has created a padded helmet that a patient wears for 20-minute treatment sessions as way to treat depression. It uses strong magnet fields, similar to those used in MRI scanners. It is designed to affect structures deep within the brain, without chemicals or electro-shock treatments that can cause unwanted side effects. The device has been proven to be effective in clinical trials, and has received clearance from the FDA for patients who do not respond to prescription drugs. The company continues to study the technology in clinical trials, including treatment for other conditions such as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), tobacco addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
At this point, the device is only available in clinical settings, though treatments can be obtained on an outpatient basis. It is conceivable that the technology eventually might be available in a mobile form that could be used by patients in their own homes.
