Review: TMS Treatment for Smoking (Nicotine Addiction)

A patient has shared her testimonial of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to help her quit smoking after 25 years.

Treatment took place at Smart TMS, London.

TMS Treatment for Smoking Cessation

“A friend of mine once told me that quitting smoking is harder than quitting cocaine.

“Sounds ridiculous…I know.  But when you think about it addiction to anything changes your brain and it alters how you gain and feel pleasure.  Cigarettes are freely available unlike recreational drugs which is why it’s so hard to stop smoking.  With cigarettes, you can’t get away from it; it takes much more attention to stop the urges for nicotine than it does for drugs.

“Having smoked cigarettes on and off (mostly on) for 25 years it was time to stop.

“I decided to try Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).  If TMS can help with cocaine addiction, why not try it for nicotine addiction.

“Different people have a different experience trying to kick any addictive substance. I have to say that after my first treatment, TMS dissipated all my urges to smoke. It also eliminated all the nervousness and anxiety you get when quitting smoking – you’re irritable, you’re cranky – I don’t feel any of that.

“The big problem is the ‘Habit‘ You really have to work at that.

“The little everyday things you do when you light up.  Like having a cup of coffee or sitting at your computer emailing or waiting for the bus that never comes.  I didn’t have the ‘urge’ to actually have a cigarette but certain activities remind you to have one.  So…I have to say that TMS took away the hard part – the urge –All I have to do now is break the everyday ‘habit’ reminders.

“The best part is I have absolutely no anxious or irritable feelings associated with stopping smoking cold turkey.  TMS took all that away.

“If you want to stop smoking and tried cold turkey or hypnosis and failed, TMS may be the treatment for you to try.”

Barbara
Treatment at Smart TMS London

Smoking

Smoking is one of the biggest self-inflicted health risks, accounting for around 100,000 deaths in the UK every year as well as increasing the risk of a series of serious health conditions with irreversible, long-term health damage.

Although smoking may be considered voluntary, once a habit has been formed, it is very difficult indeed to break.

Nicotine from cigarettes enters the bloodstream via the lungs and reaches the brain within 10 seconds of inhalation, so it is a very quick form of stimulant and gratification.

It is addictive not only physically, but also psychologically, as there is a habitual and often also a social nature to smoking.

rTMS for Nicotine Addiction

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation therapy offers a different approach for helping patients to stop smoking. Unlike vaping or patches which provide an alternative form of nicotine supply, TMS treatment removes the craving, so that patients are able to break the need for nicotine.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a non-invasive treatment which uses the power of magnets to work upon the associated areas of the brain.

While focusing on nicotine addiction, rTMS treatment can be expected to improve symptoms of depression and anxiety too.

SMART TMS CLINICS

Smart TMS was established in 2015, providing TMS treatment at their original South Kensington/Brompton Cross centre in London. The company opened a second clinic in Birmingham in September 2017 and also has an established base in Northampton.  The first Irish clinic was opened in Dublin in October 2017.  Smart TMS is planning further locations for Manchester and Bristol in 2018.

CONTACT US

For any other queries or for patients wishing to book an appointment at one of our UK clinics, please contact us:

Irish patients may contact Our Dublin Clinic direct on: