Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a form of treatment based on the application of physical stimuli of an electromagnetic nature, targeted at specific brain areas involved in the regulation of substance-seeking behavior. In other words, repeated stimulation may induce functional changes in the neural circuits involved in craving and, consequently, in behaviors associated with relapse.
One of the main differences compared with pharmacological treatments lies in the mode of intervention: TMS acts in a relatively targeted manner on specific brain regions and does not require the administration of a neuroactive agent throughout the body and, consequently, throughout the brain.
Its use has also been facilitated by its relatively favorable safety profile. Treatment is generally administered on an outpatient basis and does not require anesthesia or sedation. Stimulation is delivered through a course of closely spaced sessions over a period of several weeks.
However, it is not yet possible to determine whether the efficacy of TMS is generalizable to all patients or applies primarily to specific subgroups, nor whether its benefits are comparable and clinically