Yes, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is an effective, non-invasive, FDA-cleared treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). For many individuals who have not found relief through medication and therapy alone, TMS offers a promising path toward managing symptoms and regaining control.
At Allied Psychiatry and Mental Health in Newport Beach, we use advanced Deep TMS technology to target the brain circuitry involved in OCD. Below, we explain how TMS works, what the research shows, and who tends to benefit most.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a chronic mental health condition marked by unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) performed to relieve the resulting anxiety. That relief is only temporary, and the cycle can consume hours each day, disrupting relationships, daily tasks, and overall well-being.
Standard first-line treatments include cognitive-behavioral therapy – specifically Exposure and Response Prevention – and medications known as SSRIs. These help many people, but a significant number continue to struggle even after multiple medications and completed therapy. When symptoms persist despite these efforts, OCD is often described as “treatment-resistant.”
That treatment gap is exactly why non-drug options like TMS have become so important. Learn more about our approach to OCD and related conditions on our website.
TMS is an FDA-cleared, non-invasive medical procedure that uses magnetic fields to gently stimulate nerve cells in specific brain regions tied to mood and behavior. It requires no surgery, anesthesia, or medication. Patients stay awake and alert throughout each session and can drive themselves home afterward.
The brain functions through electrical signals passed between nerve cells. In OCD, communication within networks responsible for decision-making, emotional regulation, and habit formation is disrupted. During a session, a specialized coil placed against the scalp delivers magnetic pulses that create small electrical currents, helping to “reset” or normalize this brain activity. Over a series of sessions, these changes become more lasting, reducing symptom intensity.
Because TMS acts directly on brain activity rather than working through the bloodstream like a pill, it avoids many of the body-wide side effects associated with medications.
There are different types of TMS technology, distinguished by the depth and breadth of the brain area they stimulate:
Standard TMS (rTMS): Uses a figure-8 coil that delivers a focused magnetic field to surface-level brain regions. While effective for depression, its ability to reach the deeper structures involved in OCD is limited.
Deep TMS (dTMS): Uses a patented H-coil (helmet-style) designed to stimulate broader areas and reach deeper neural structures – critical for OCD, which involves circuits located deeper in the brain than those targeted for depression. Our team uses an advanced BrainsWay system to achieve excellent results with Deep TMS.
Specifically for OCD, Deep TMS is the approach that earned FDA clearance.
So, is TMS an effective treatment for OCD? The clinical evidence points to a clear yes for many patients, particularly those who have not responded to other options.
The FDA cleared Deep TMS for OCD based on clinical trial data showing meaningful symptom reduction. In these trials, nearly 38% of patients who had not responded to at least one medication experienced substantial reductions in their Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) scores – the gold standard for measuring OCD severity. Because many participants had already tried medications and therapy without enough relief, the results are especially encouraging. Improvements are often durable, with many patients maintaining gains for months after the initial course.
The Deep TMS system is the first non-invasive medical device with FDA clearance for treating OCD, granted after a pivotal multicenter study demonstrating its efficacy in patients who had failed other treatments. The H-coil’s ability to reach deeper, broader brain regions is a key reason for its success in addressing OCD’s complex neural circuits. Our commitment to this advanced technology ensures patients have access to one of the most effective tools available for this challenging condition. Because it is non-invasive and involves no medication or sedation, it avoids the systemic side effects associated with psychiatric drugs.
The most common side effects are mild and temporary, typically resolving on their own shortly after a session or over the first week of treatment. They may include:
Headache
Scalp discomfort or tingling/tapping sensation at the treatment site
Lightheadedness
Facial muscle twitching during the pulses
Serious side effects, such as seizures, are extremely rare. TMS does not cause the weight changes, fatigue, or sexual side effects that some OCD medications can.
Yes. The Deep TMS system has a well-established safety profile, confirmed through extensive clinical trials and real-world use, and its FDA clearance underscores its safety and effectiveness. Because it is targeted, it does not affect cognitive functions like memory or concentration. Patients remain alert throughout and can resume all normal activities immediately afterward.
Each session lasts about 18-20 minutes.
Sessions are typically scheduled five days a week for approximately six weeks.
You remain awake and seated comfortably while the helmet delivers magnetic pulses.
You may hear a clicking sound and feel a tapping sensation on your scalp; the procedure is generally well-tolerated.
In OCD protocols, a brief personalized provocation is often used just before stimulation – patients are gently guided to bring up a mild version of their obsessive thoughts so the targeted circuits are active during treatment.
There is no downtime; you can return to normal activities, including driving, immediately after each session.
TMS is typically recommended for adults diagnosed with OCD who have not achieved satisfactory improvement from standard treatments. Good candidates typically:
Have a confirmed diagnosis of OCD
Have tried one or more medications without adequate improvement
Have engaged in psychotherapy without adequate symptom reduction
Want a non-medication-based option that avoids systemic side effects
Are able to attend regular in-office sessions
Because TMS requires attending our Newport Beach office, it is suited for local patients. While we offer telehealth for many services, treatments like TMS are provided on-site.
No treatment works the same for everyone, and OCD is complex. Several factors can influence outcomes:
Symptom severity and duration: Longstanding, severe symptoms may respond differently than milder ones.
Consistency with sessions: Completing the full recommended course matters, as TMS works through repeated stimulation over time.
Combining treatments: Many patients see stronger results when TMS is paired with therapy or medication rather than used alone.
Individual brain response: Each person’s brain responds differently, so progress is monitored throughout.
The most reliable way to find out whether TMS is right for you is a personalized evaluation. Under the guidance of board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Hadi Estakhri, our team reviews your medical and psychiatric history and goals to build a plan suited to your needs. Learn more on our About Us page.
For many people – especially those who have not found enough relief through medication and therapy – the answer is yes. Deep TMS is FDA-cleared, backed by clinical research, non-invasive, and generally well-tolerated. It targets the brain circuits behind obsessions and compulsions, often reducing symptoms that have resisted other treatments.
If you or a loved one is living with OCD in Newport Beach, CA, our team at Allied Psychiatry and Mental Health can help you explore whether Deep TMS is the right fit for your needs.
About the Author
Hadi Estakhri, MD - Founder
July 2, 2026
