TMS for Smoking Cessation

Can TMS Therapy Help Me Quit Smoking?

An addiction to smoking can be very hard to break. If you’ve tried cold turkey, nicotine gum, the patch, and nothing’s worked, it may be time to try something new. NeuroHealth Treatment Centers is proud to offer TMS for smoking cessation.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a groundbreaking therapy that uses gentle, targeted pulses of magnetic energy to adjust brain function. Our caring and capable clinical staff uses TMS treatment for a variety of mental health conditions and behavioral issues, including smoking addiction.

Ready to take the first step toward a smoke-free future? Call NeuroHealth Treatment Centers at 954-417-7575 today to schedule your FREE consultation. We provide TMS for smoking cessation for patients in Fort Lauderdale and throughout South Florida.

Why Is Smoking So Addictive?

Cigarettes contain a number of addictive chemicals. The most notable of these is nicotine, which is the primary driver of dependence among smokers.

Nicotine triggers the release of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with the brain’s reward/incentive system. When an activity makes one feel good, the urge to do it again increases. This can result in dependence and addiction. A joint study by Penn State and Duke University found that 85% of smokers are addicted to some degree.

Statistics on Smoking: How Common Is Smoking Today?

In the early 20th century, smoking was very common. Over the past 60 years, however, attitudes toward tobacco products have changed dramatically.

According to the CDC, cigarette smoking among U.S. adults has decreased by more than 70%. Today, only about 11% of adults in the U.S. smoke. Unfortunately, that’s still about 30 million people who routinely use a harmful substance.

Smoking is the #1 cause of preventable death worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, more than 7 million people die each year as a result of tobacco use. Cigarette, cigar, and pipe smoking significantly increase the risk of serious health issues such as:

• Heart disease
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Emphysema
• Cancer (lung, oral, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, pancreas, etc.)
• Gum disease and tooth loss
• Macular degeneration, cataracts, and other causes of vision loss
• Type 2 diabetes

Many smokers decide to quit because of health concerns. Unfortunately, the long-term benefits of quitting are often overshadowed by the pleasures associated with smoking. This doesn’t make you weak; it’s a textbook sign of addiction, which is physical as well as mental.

Any reason to stop smoking is a good one. NeuroHealth Treatment Centers is here to help you harness your motivation and reach your goals with TMS for smoking cessation and other services.

Loading testimonial…

–

What Are the Symptoms of Smoking Addiction?

Addiction to cigarettes and other tobacco products is classified in the DSM-5 as tobacco use disorder. It is characterized by symptoms such as:

• Strong urge to smoke, especially when under stress and in certain situations
• Difficulty concentrating until the urge to smoke is satisfied
• Needing to smoke more to attain the same sense of satisfaction
• Reliance on nicotine to cope with stress, depression, and other negative emotions
• Withdrawal symptoms (irritability, anxiety, anger, sleep disturbances) when not smoking
• Inability to stop smoking on your own
• Repeated failures to quit or cut back

In brief, smoking addiction is primarily characterized by intense cravings and physical symptoms when the body is deprived of nicotine. Smoking can also have adverse social and professional ramifications, with smokers sometimes avoiding social situations where they can’t light up and employers frequently looking down on workers who take frequent smoke breaks.

Unfortunately, research by the National Institute on Drug Abuse shows that only 6% of smokers annually are able to quit. For many, this only comes after multiple attempts without success. If you have struggled to quit in the past, smoking cessation with TMS may be the answer.

How TMS Helps with Smoking Cessation

Quitting smoking isn’t just about willpower. It involves overcoming adverse changes in brain chemistry wrought by addiction to nicotine. Repeated sessions can stimulate regions of the brain involved in habit formation and executive function. This can decrease cravings and curb the impulse to smoke.

With TMS for smoking cessation, treatment usually centers on the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). The DLPFC is involved in decision making and impulse control. Multiple studies have shown that repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, or rTMS, can reduce nicotine cravings (Brain Communications) and modify the brain’s reward system to make withdrawal less severe (Neural Plasticity).

At NeuroHealth Treatment Centers, individualized care is the key to successful TMS for smoking. We typically achieve optimal results through a combination of TMS treatment and more traditional therapies such as counseling and support groups. This holistic, integrative approach to addiction recovery support helps to reduce cravings while providing you with the tools and coping strategies to break free of smoking long-term.

What Are the Benefits of Quitting Smoking with TMS?

The usual methods for quitting smoking don’t address the underlying changes in the brain that reinforce addiction. Gum and patches only provide temporary relief from cravings, while quitting cold turkey is an extremely difficult application of the phrase “mind over matter.”

Some patients have success with prescription medications for smoking cessation. However, these can have unpleasant side effects, and the urge to smoke returns when the medication is stopped.

TMS therapy is a drug-free alternative. It addresses addiction to nicotine at the neurological level, resulting in:

• Reduced frequency and intensity of nicotine cravings
• Better impulse control and resistance to stress
• Regulation of dopamine, which interrupts the cycle of addiction
• Foundation for long-term abstinence from smoking; some patients are able to quit permanently

Most patients are suitable candidates for TMS therapy to quit smoking. Our team monitors you throughout each session to ensure you’re tolerating TMS well. Patients can generally resume their daily routine after TMS treatment. Side effects are typically minor and short-lived, potentially consisting of mild headaches and scalp sensitivity at the site of treatment. 

A study in the journal Brain Imaging and Behavior found that approximately 63% of patients smoked fewer cigarettes per day after 10 sessions of TMS therapy. Each patient is different but, for some, the urge to smoke is reduced within weeks or even days of starting TMS.

Many smokers have co-occurring mental health conditions that make quitting difficult. Personalized TMS therapy can be used to provide relief from conditions such as:

• Major Depression
• Anxiety Disorders
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Improving your overall mental health may have the added benefit of limiting the urge to smoke. This, combined with minimized dependency, may pave the way for you to quit.

Personalized Treatments, Backed by Science

We specialize in innovative, non-invasive treatments that offer real hope:

Psychiatric Evaluations

Learn More

TMS Therapy (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)

Learn More

Spravato (Esketamine) Therapy

Learn More

Medication Management

Learn More

Psychotherapy & Consultations

Learn More

What to Expect During TMS Treatment for Smoking

During your FREE consultation, NeuroHealth Treatment Centers will fully evaluate your medical history and use of tobacco products. This helps us tailor TMS therapy to you specifically.

Each session is designed for maximum comfort, lasting about 20–30 minutes in our peaceful clinic. We use cutting-edge Nexstim SmartFocus® technology. This state-of-the-art TMS device provides detailed MRI scans of the brain, allowing us to pinpoint the areas involved in addiction and precisely position the electromagnetic coil.

All you have to do at each session is sit in a chair with the coil positioned against your scalp. You can read, listen to music or a podcast, or simply relax.

TMS treatment is not painful or uncomfortable, so no sedation or anesthesia is required. Some people equate the sensation to a rhythmic tapping against the head. This feeling is well-tolerated by most patients, becoming practically unnoticeable in time.

For smoking cessation with TMS, we generally recommend 5 sessions weekly for a period of 4–6 weeks. Our team will evaluate your progress at each appointment and make adjustments to help you achieve the desired relief from nicotine dependence.

Patients often tell us that they don’t feel the “need” to smoke as much or as often. Some also experience fewer cravings when faced with familiar triggers (personal or work-related stress, social situations, drinking coffee, etc.).

Ready to cut back or quit? Contact NeuroHealth Treatment Centers for FREE to find out if TMS for smoking is right for you.

TMS Therapy for Smoking Cessation: Who Is a Good Candidate?

Nicotine addiction affects the areas of the brain involved in mood, stress regulation, and motivation. These are the same areas often targeted during TMS therapy for the treatment of mental health disorders. As such, TMS is uniquely suited for helping patients with the psychological as well as neurobiological aspects of addiction to smoking.

You may be a good candidate for TMS for smoking cessation if you:

• Smoke to deal with stress, anxiety, or depression
• Have tried to quit smoking before with no lasting success
• Struggle with strong cravings, even with smoking cessation methods such as nicotine gum and patches, medication, counseling, etc.
• Experience severe withdrawal symptoms that undermine your efforts to quit
• Want a drug-free option for quitting smoking
• Struggle with depression, PTSD, or another co-occurring condition

TMS therapy is safe for most patients. However, those with a history of seizures, neurological illness, or severe cardiovascular disease may not be candidates. NeuroHealth Treatment Centers is committed to your health and well-being. We conduct a thorough screening to ensure that TMS is safe and supports your goals.

Making Treatment Accessible

Covered by Most Insurance Plans

Explore TMS Therapy to Quit Smoking

For some people, quitting smoking is one of the hardest things they’ll ever do. Most people fail to quit and stay smoke-free not because they lack willpower, but because the usual methods of quitting don’t address the neurological basis of addiction.

At NeuroHealth Treatment Centers, we embrace innovative technology to deliver personalized mental health care. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation with MRI guidance offers unparalleled accuracy for targeting brain regions involved in addiction to smoking. Patients often start responding to TMS for smoking cessation within several sessions.

While TMS can be transformative on its own, support is essential for quitting smoking and maximizing improvements in mental health. Led by Medical Director Dr. Regina Carney, our clinical staff provides counseling and other support services to complement TMS treatment and aid in addiction recovery.

Contact NeuroHealth Treatments Centers for FREE Today

Is smoking taking a toll on your mental and physical health, social life, and career? Learn how TMS therapy for smoking cessation may be able to lessen addiction to nicotine and get you started on the road to quitting.

For a FREE consultation, call 954-417-7575 today. NeuroHealth Treatment Centers serves patients throughout South Florida from our office in Fort Lauderdale.