TMS treatment for Weight Loss

Obesity is a complex, chronic medical condition characterised by excess body fat that increases the risk of health problems such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, joint disorders, sleep apnoea, and certain cancers. Weight regulation is influenced by a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors, including appetite control, metabolism, reward processing, and behaviour.

Weight-related conditions are increasingly recognised as involving brain-based regulatory mechanisms, meaning that neural circuits linked to appetite, impulse control, and reward play a significant role in eating behaviour and weight regulation.

Weight gain and obesity develop due to multiple interacting factors rather than a lack of willpower alone. These may include:

• Genetic predisposition affecting appetite and metabolism

• Dysregulation of brain pathways involved in hunger, satiety, and reward

• Hormonal influences (such as leptin and ghrelin imbalance)

• Psychological factors including stress, emotional eating, and mood disorders

• Sedentary lifestyle and high-calorie food environments

• Certain medications and underlying medical conditions

Because of this complexity, effective weight management often requires a multi-disciplinary, medically guided approach.

Evidence-based treatments for weight loss include:

Lifestyle interventions
Structured programmes focusing on nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and behavioural change form the foundation of weight management.

Psychological therapies
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and other behavioural interventions can help address emotional eating, impulse control, and long-term habit formation.

Medications
Prescription weight-loss medications, including GLP-1 receptor agonists, may be appropriate for some individuals when prescribed and monitored by a qualified medical professional.

Bariatric surgery
For individuals with severe obesity, surgical interventions may be considered when other treatments have not been effective.

TMS is a non-invasive brain stimulation treatment that uses magnetic pulses to modulate activity in specific brain regions. In the context of weight management, TMS treatment has been studied for its effects on neural circuits involved in:

• Appetite regulation

• Impulse control

• Food craving and reward processing

• Decision-making and self-control

Most clinical research has focused on stimulation of the prefrontal cortex, a brain region responsible for executive function and behavioural regulation. Modulating activity in this area may help reduce food cravings, support improved self-control around eating, and assist patients in maintaining healthier behaviours as part of a structured weight-management plan.

TMS for weight loss is not a standalone or first-line treatment, but it may be offered as a supportive therapeutic option within a broader, medically supervised programme.

TMS for BPD, PTSD, ADHD + other 

Dr Neal and his team understand the need to help our patients stay well beyond the end of their TMS treatment. Using research and our own experience, we have designed aftercare packages to provide ongoing care with a planned programme of regular top-up treatments.

Have you had TMS treatment for depression at another clinic? Smart TMS can offer you maintenance therapy, too.