Rewiring the Brain: How Deep TMS and Ketamine Are Revolutionizing Mental Health and Addiction Recovery

Have you ever wondered how brain science is influencing mental health treatment? In today's episode, I speak with Dr. Colleen Hanlon, the Vice President of Medical Affairs of Brainsway. Dr. Hanlon, who specializes in neurobiology and has pioneered work in therapies such as deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and ketamine, discusses how these creative approaches are helping people recover from depression, PTSD, and addiction.

Dr. Hanlon and I talk about the science behind TMS and ketamine therapy, why they're effective, and who might benefit the most. We look at how TMS activates certain brain networks to aid recovery, such as rousing up drowsy regions of the brain associated with depression, and how ketamine provides quick relief, particularly for people in immediate need. Furthermore, we discuss how combining TMS and ketamine may improve outcomes for specific individuals.

If you're interested in mental health or looking for alternative treatment options, you'll benefit greatly from this conversation. Stay tuned to see how these revolutionary cures are transforming people's lives.

• [03:17] We met at the BrainsWay conference about a month ago. Addiction recovery is one of Colleen's passions.
• [04:21] Brain stimulation is a third pillar of how we treat mental health these days. We can modulate brain activity through electromagnetic induction.
• [05:20] A TMS coil is placed over the head. It's placed over the network that's affected and then it helps to restore energy to that region.
• [08:21] We learn about how the TMS coil works and the electricity in the pulse. Magnetic fields generate electricity and neurons in our brain are sensitive to electricity.
• [13:18] Common conditions that TMS treats. Depression which has a variety of different types. Subtypes of depression involve different networks in the brain.
• [16:29] Side effects are extremely low. 
• [17:29] Ketamine therapy. Ketamine can be given through a nasal spray or an injection and it works fast.
• [23:47] Can people with addictive personalities use ketamine? Risk benefit profiles.
• [30:01] Theta burst stimulation and how it acts faster. 
• [34:06] We learn who would be a good candidate for TMS.
• [40:06] The wearable market is also growing.
• [41:19] We learn how Colleen's passion about addiction recovery began with learning about dopamine.
• [42:39] We learn what the future of addiction treatment could look like. There are two really therapeutic strategies for using TMS to treat addiction.
  
  Links mentioned in this episode:
• Camelback Recovery
• I Love Being Sober YouTube
• BrainsWay Knowledge Center
• BrainsWay Dr. Colleen Hanlon
• Dr. Colleen Hanlon Ex-Twitter
• Dr. Colleen Hanlon LinkedIn