Tim Ferriss on Accelerated TMS: Changing the Conversation Around Depression

In a recent episode of The Diary of a CEO, Tim Ferriss sits down with Steven Bartlett to discuss the tools, therapies, and interventions that helped him recover from years of depression and anxiety. One treatment he speaks about with particular emphasis is accelerated TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation). His description of how it helped him — and the impact it had on his anxiety — has sparked widespread interest.

If you are considering TMS or simply want to understand the growing conversation around accelerated brain stimulation, Tim’s story offers an honest, relatable entry point.

Tim’s Discussion of TMS in the Interview

Around 39 minutes into the interview, Tim explains how accelerated TMS played a significant role in stabilising his mental health. He describes the change he experienced as “beyond incredible”.

He also shares that after undergoing accelerated TMS, he experienced 'months of no anxiety', something he’d struggled with for most of his adult life.

Tim explains that his own protocol involved 10 sessions a day for five days, each lasting around 8 minutes. He notes that this is an intensive format and not necessarily what every clinic offers.

He also encourages viewers to explore the work of Dr Nolan Williams at Stanford, who is known for research into brain stimulation and accelerated treatment models.

Who Is Tim Ferriss?

Tim Ferriss is a well-known entrepreneur, investor, and author of several bestselling books including The 4-Hour Work Week. He is also the host of The Tim Ferriss Show, one of the world’s most downloaded podcasts.

Over the past decade, Tim has become a prominent voice in the mental health space, openly discussing his own experiences with trauma, depression, and anxiety. His willingness to speak honestly about therapy, medication, brain stimulation and other treatments makes his perspective particularly influential.

What Is Accelerated TMS?

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to target areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. It is approved in the UK by NICE for treatment-resistant depression.

Accelerated TMS simply refers to having multiple TMS sessions within a single day, rather than one session per day. The goal is to deliver the full therapeutic dose over a shorter period, which may increase convenience and potentially reduce the time it takes for symptoms to improve.

Most standard TMS courses involve 30 sessions over several weeks. Accelerated TMS compresses this schedule so patients can complete the course in a shorter timeframe, depending on how many sessions per day their clinician prescribes.

What Smart TMS Offers

Smart TMS provides accelerated TMS for many patients, depending on clinical assessment and treatment suitability.

Here are the key points of the Smart TMS approach:

• A full course still includes 30 sessions, as per standard clinical guidelines
• After adapting to stimulation, patients may receive multiple sessions per day — up to five sessions in some cases
• Each session lasts approximately 30 minutes
• A minimum 30-minute break is required between sessions
• Accelerated TMS is not suitable for all conditions, including bipolar disorder
• The main benefits include faster progress, fewer clinic visits, and reduced disruption to work or daily routines

Smart TMS does not offer the extremely intensive protocol Tim Ferriss experienced (10 sessions per day), but accelerated options are available where clinically appropriate.

Research on TMS and Its Effectiveness

A growing body of evidence supports the effectiveness of TMS, including accelerated models:

• NICE (UK) approved TMS for depression in 2015, noting consistently positive outcomes and a good safety profile
• Studies show that accelerated TMS can be as effective as standard once-daily TMS
• Smart TMS’s own outcome data shows meaningful reductions in depressive symptoms across patients treated in their clinics
• Research from multiple international centres has highlighted improvements in mood, anxiety, and functional outcomes following accelerated TMS programmes

Overall, the data suggests that accelerated TMS offers a well-tolerated, evidence-based alternative for individuals seeking faster or more convenient treatment.

Video Link & Trigger Warning

Tim’s interview includes personal discussions of trauma, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Viewer discretion is advised.

If you prefer to hear specifically about TMS, Tim begins discussing it around:

39:05 – Accelerated TMS for Depression and Anxiety

References

1. Tim Ferriss interview transcript — The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett:
   https://podscripts.co/podcasts/the-diary-of-a-ceo-with-steven-bartlett/tim-ferriss-4-science-backed-tools-that-rewired-decades-of-childhood-trauma-depression

2. Smart TMS – Accelerated TMS treatment information:
   https://www.smarttms.co.uk/tms-treatment/accelerated-tms/

3. Smart TMS – TMS depression treatment success rates:
   https://www.smarttms.co.uk/news/efficacy-effectiveness-and-success-rates-of-tms-depression-treatment/

4. NICE (UK) guidance on TMS for depression:
   https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ipg542

5. Systematic review & meta-analysis of accelerated TMS for depression:
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38326789/

6. Cambridge University research on bilateral accelerated TMS:
   https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/magnetic-field-applied-to-both-sides-of-brain-shows-rapid-improvement-for-depression