What Does an rTMS Session Feel Like? A Step-by-Step Walkthrough

An rTMS session feels like a series of gentle-to-firm tapping sensations on your scalp as a magnetic coil delivers pulses to a targeted area of your brain, while you sit comfortably awake in a treatment chair for about 20 to 40 minutes. There's no sedation, no downtime, and most people are able to drive themselves home and return to their day right after.

If you've never had rTMS before, the idea of "magnetic brain stimulation" can sound more intense than it actually is. Most of the anxiety around a first session comes from not knowing what to expect. So this blog walks through exactly what happens from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave, and what does rTMS feels like based on how rTMS is delivered at New Track Selfcare in London, Ontario.

What Happens Before Your First rTMS Session?

Before any stimulation begins, your care team confirms that rTMS therapy is a safe and appropriate fit for you. This groundwork is what makes the treatment itself feel so straightforward once you're in the chair.

• A clinical intake reviews your mental health history and treatment goals

• Screening rules out contraindications, such as certain implants or a seizure history

• Your clinician maps the treatment target on your head, often using measurements or imaging guidance

• Your "motor threshold" is calculated, the minimum stimulation strength needed to produce a small hand twitch, which is used to calibrate your treatment intensity

What Happens When You Arrive for a Session?

Once your treatment plan is set, each individual session follows a simple, predictable rhythm. You won't need anesthesia, IV sedation, or any special preparation beforehand.

• You're seated in a comfortable treatment chair, fully awake and alert

• A magnetic coil is positioned against a specific spot on your scalp

• You can typically read, listen to music, or simply relax during the session

• No driving restrictions apply afterwards, since there's no sedation involved

What Does the Stimulation Actually Feel Like?

This is the part most people are curious about, and it's usually far more tolerable than expected. The sensation is localized to the scalp and treatment area rather than felt throughout the body. Experience is often described as a tapping or woodpecker-like sensation on the scalp, which aligns with patient information provided by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). 

• A tapping, knocking, or light pulsing feeling under the coil

• Some people describe it as similar to a woodpecker tapping rhythmically on the scalp

• Mild muscle twitching near the forehead or jaw during pulses is common and expected

• Sensation is usually strongest during the first few sessions and tends to feel more familiar as treatment continues

Does rTMS Hurt?

Most people find rTMS uncomfortable at most, not painful, and any discomfort tends to ease as your scalp adjusts over the first few sessions. Sensitivity varies from person to person, and your clinician can adjust the coil position or intensity if a particular spot feels too intense.

• Some describe a mild tension headache-like feeling near the treatment site

• Discomfort is typically brief and confined to the session itself

• Your care team checks in throughout to make sure the experience stays tolerable

• Over-the-counter pain relief, if needed, is usually enough for any lingering sensitivity

What Happens During the Pulses?

Each rTMS session is delivered in short bursts of magnetic pulses, followed by brief rest periods, repeated in a structured pattern for the length of the session. You'll hear a clicking sound each time the machine delivers a pulse, and you may feel a twitch in nearby facial muscles.

• Pulses are delivered in timed sets, with pauses in between

• A clicking or tapping sound accompanies each pulse

• You remain fully conscious and aware throughout

• Sessions are typically completed in well under an hour

What Happens Right After a Session?

One of the most appreciated parts of rTMS is how quickly life returns to normal afterwards. There's no recovery room, no grogginess to sleep off, and no need to arrange a ride home.

• You can drive yourself home immediately after

• Most people return directly to work, errands, or family responsibilities

• Mild scalp tenderness or a light headache may linger briefly for some

• No dietary or activity restrictions apply after treatment

How Many Sessions Will I Need?

rTMS isn't a single visit; it's a structured course delivered over time, since the brain needs repeated stimulation to build lasting change. Your exact plan depends on your diagnosis, treatment goals, and response along the way, which your clinician will map out during your consultation. For a full breakdown of what a typical treatment course looks like, see our guide on rTMS therapy number of sessions.

Does the Experience Change Over Time?

Many people notice that the sensation becomes easier to tolerate as sessions continue, since the scalp and surrounding muscles adjust with repetition. Mood changes, when they occur, also tend to build gradually rather than appearing after a single session, which is part of why completing the full recommended course matters, especially for those pursuing rTMS for treatment-resistant depression.

How Is rTMS Different From Other Sensory-Based Therapies?

If you've experienced other device-based wellness treatments, it's natural to wonder how rTMS compares. Unlike therapies that work on the body more broadly, rTMS is specifically targeted at brain circuits tied to mood regulation.

• rTMS targets the brain directly through magnetic pulses aimed at mood-related circuits

• PEMF therapy uses electromagnetic fields more broadly to support the body's cellular repair and relaxation response

• Both are non-invasive and drug-free, but they serve different clinical purposes within a wellness plan

Some clients incorporate both PEMF therapy and rTMS into their broader care plan, using each for its distinct benefits: PEMF for physical relaxation and recovery, and rTMS for targeted neurological support.

Can I Combine rTMS with Talk Therapy?

Yes, and many people find this combination especially effective. rTMS addresses the neurological side of depression, while psychotherapy helps process the thoughts, patterns, and life circumstances connected to it.

• Weekly or biweekly therapy sessions can run alongside your rTMS course

• Processing emotional material in therapy may help reinforce the mood improvements from rTMS

• Your care team can help coordinate both so they complement rather than compete for your time and energy

How Does This Compare to Starting Other Emerging Therapies?

Trying something new for the first time often comes with a mix of curiosity and nerves, whatever the treatment. People preparing for their first psychedelic therapy session, for example, often ask similarly detailed "what will it feel like" questions, and the same principle applies across any new treatment: understanding the process in advance makes the actual experience far less intimidating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is rTMS painful?

Most people describe it as uncomfortable at most, not painful, with sensations like tapping or mild muscle twitching that typically ease after the first few sessions.

Do I need someone to drive me home after rTMS? 

No. Since there's no sedation involved, most people drive themselves home and return to normal activities right after their session.

How long does a single rTMS session take?

Sessions typically last between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on your specific treatment protocol.

Will I feel different immediately after one session? 

Not usually. Mood improvements with rTMS tend to build gradually over the course of treatment rather than after a single visit.

Can I go back to work the same day? 

Yes. There's no downtime required, so most people return to work, school, or daily responsibilities right after their session.

Final Thoughts

Knowing exactly what to expect can turn rTMS from an intimidating unknown into a manageable, even routine, part of your week. From the initial mapping and motor threshold calculation to the tapping sensation of the pulses and the ordinary drive home afterwards, rTMS is designed to fit into daily life rather than disrupt it. If you're considering rTMS therapy and want to understand whether it fits your situation, New Track Selfcare's team in London Ontario, is here to walk you through every step, from your first consultation to your last session.

Ready to Experience rTMS With Confidence?

If you're considering rTMS for depression or other mental health concerns, our experienced team is here to answer your questions and guide you through every step of the treatment process. Book a consultation at New Track Selfcare in London, Ontario, and discover whether personalized, non-invasive rTMS therapy is the right option for you.