What to Expect After TMS Treatment, From Your First Session On

Not sure what to expect after TMS treatment? For most people, the answer is pretty straightforward: You can return to work, drive, run errands, and go about your normal day immediately afterward. Because transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive treatment that doesn't require anesthesia or sedation, there's no formal recovery period. Still, mild side effects like headaches, scalp tenderness, or temporary fatigue can occur.

Quick answers

• Mild headaches and scalp discomfort are the most common side effects after a TMS session and often become less noticeable during the first few weeks of treatment.
• Most people return to their normal routine immediately after treatment.
• Care doesn’t stop after your final session — you’ll have follow-up appointments to maintain your progress and monitor how you’re feeling.

What happens right after a TMS session?

For most people, their daily routine looks  the same after a TMS session. You can typically return to work, run errands, and pick up where you left off.  In fact, most people are able to drive themselves home afterward. 

That said, it's normal to experience a few mild TMS side effects. According to Jessica Criser, PMHNP-BC, a Radial psychiatric nurse practitioner, and Michael Denoyer, MHS, PA-C, a Radial physician assistant, these may include:

• Mild headache: These headaches are usually temporary and can often be managed with over-the-counter medications.
• Scalp discomfort: You may notice mild soreness, tingling, or sensitivity where the treatment was delivered. This typically becomes less noticeable as your brain and scalp get used to the sessions.
• Temporary fatigue: Some people feel a little sluggish or mentally tired afterward. Criser compares TMS therapy to a workout for the brain: Just like your muscles feel tired after a workout, your brain may need a little time to recover from the stimulation.

Most of these side effects fade within a few hours, says Criser. They also tend to become less noticeable over the first few weeks of treatment, when TMS starts working. 

However, if you develop a persistent headache or another side effect that doesn't seem to be improving, Denoyer recommends letting your provider know so they can adjust your treatment if needed.

What happens after you finish your full TMS course?

Most providers schedule follow-up appointments to review your progress, compare your symptoms to where you started, and make sure you're continuing to move in the right direction, according to Criser.

At Radial, she says treatment typically includes a taper period after the initial course. Rather than stopping abruptly, you’ll gradually reduce the frequency of your sessions over several weeks. This gives the brain time to adjust to less frequent stimulation.

And even after your full course of TMS, there may still be more progress to come. "You can see the benefits of TMS up to four weeks after your last treatment, so you'll have a follow-up with your clinician to see if the effects are continuing," says Criser.

That follow-up is also an opportunity to talk through how you're feeling, review any changes in symptoms, and determine whether additional support would be helpful. For instance, your doctor might recommend extending TMS’ duration with maintenance sessions (depending on your symptoms and treatment goals).

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