{"id":29754,"date":"2025-07-01T11:49:12","date_gmt":"2025-07-01T11:49:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/29754\/"},"modified":"2025-07-01T11:49:12","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T11:49:12","slug":"i-was-sceptical-at-first-but-a-miracle-brain-device-helped-my-anxiety-its-like-something-clicked-in-my-mind","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/29754\/","title":{"rendered":"I was sceptical at first but a miracle brain device helped my anxiety – it’s like something clicked in my mind"},"content":{"rendered":"

Like many of us juggling careers and family lives, my mind often feels like a browser with a hundred tabs open at once. I loop through to-do lists, worst-case scenarios and worry about things that probably won\u2019t ever happen.<\/p>\n

I became aware of my anxiety in my mid-30s, and since then it has compounded. Now in my mid-40s, I suspect the hormonal changes of perimenopause are also heightening these feelings.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m not alone: according to the Mental Health Foundation, a third of men and women report feeling high levels of anxiety.<\/p>\n

\u2018Anxious brains are like alarms that go off too easily, making everyday situations feel intense,\u2019 says Dr Mohamed Abdelghani, a consultant psychiatrist at North London NHS<\/a> Foundation Trust.<\/p>\n

\u2018This can affect key areas of the brain, such as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for cognitive function, behaviour and emotional responses.\u2019<\/p>\n

When anxiety persists, it can lead to chronic stress. Physically, this can raise the risk of conditions such as heart disease, digestive issues and weakened immunity. Mentally, it may contribute to low mood and disrupted sleep.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve never seen a GP about my anxiety, mainly because I have wanted to avoid medication. I tend to rely on coping methods such as journaling \u2013 but I do find myself craving a more consistent sense of calm, not to mention better sleep.<\/p>\n

So when I was invited to try Exomind \u2013 a new brain-stimulating device that claims to \u2018reset\u2019 the brain circuits responsible for mood in a series of 30-minute sessions \u2013 I was curious to see if it could help.<\/p>\n

\"Dr <\/p>\n

Dr Charlotte Marriott, an NHS psychiatrist based in Worcestershire,\u00a0stresses the importance of a thorough assessment by a GP or psychiatrist before starting any treatment<\/p>\n

\"Exomind <\/p>\n

Exomind is a new brain-stimulating device that claims to \u2018reset\u2019 the brain circuits responsible for mood in a series of 30-minute sessions<\/p>\n

Recently launched in the UK, it uses transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) \u2013 which delivers magnetic pulses to the scalp, in turn stimulating specific areas of the brain such as the prefrontal cortex, which is involved in emotional regulation and cognitive function.<\/p>\n

And there is evidence to show that TMS can help: clinical trials have shown that this technology can improve depression, sleep quality and cognitive function.<\/p>\n

For example, a 2018 study in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology reported that patients with depression were significantly more likely to no longer have symptoms after receiving TMS treatment (five days a week, for a month) compared with a group that received sham therapy. Although it\u2019s worth noting there was no long-term follow-up to assess the duration of remission.<\/p>\n

TMS is available on the NHS, but only a few regions offer it \u2013 and then only for depression.<\/p>\n

But some experts believe TMS can be effective for other conditions, such as anxiety.<\/p>\n

\u2018By stimulating the regions of the brain that are involved in mood regulation, TMS can help \u201creboot\u201d the brain cells, improve communication between regions and increase the release of neurotransmitters \u2013 chemical messengers such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine, helping to stabilise mood and gradually ease symptoms of depression and anxiety,\u2019 explains Dr Abdelghani.<\/p>\n

Results of five clinical studies using Exomind, focusing on evaluating its impact on mental wellbeing, self-control and eating behaviour, are expected to be published this year (the company says these have been carried out by independent universities or research clinics, though additional details are currently not disclosed).<\/p>\n

Exomind, which is currently available only in private clinics, costs from \u00a3500 per session. The number of sessions varies from patient to patient. After an initial consultation for Exomind and completing a mental wellness questionnaire, I underwent a course of four, weekly treatments.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d been warned of potential side effects, such as headaches, fatigue and scalp tenderness \u2013 and, in rare cases, seizures \u2013 so I was a little nervous to start.<\/p>\n

But as I sat on the clinic bed and the device \u2013 which looks a bit like a chunky iPad \u2013 was placed over the left side of my head, all I felt was a gentle tapping motion, and after about 15 minutes I was a little sleepy.<\/p>\n

After the 30-minute treatment, I drove home but it was like my brain had been through a workout \u2013 I was so tired, I napped as soon as I got in. I still felt mentally tired the next morning, but my alertness returned by the afternoon.<\/p>\n

After my third treatment, I noticed a change in my anxiety. I wasn\u2019t as easily triggered by small inconveniences and found myself able to pause and rationalise \u2013 almost like something had clicked, giving me more control over the thoughts that used to feel catastrophic.<\/p>\n

Dr Abdelghani, who does not offer Exomind, says: \u2018TMS could be a possible option for those seeking drug-free interventions for anxiety. It often works faster than medication such as diazepam \u2013 and without the side effects. Unlike drugs, which affect the whole body, TMS targets specific brain areas.\u2019<\/p>\n

He adds: \u2018Expanding access to TMS is a positive step \u2013 but safety must come first.<\/p>\n

\u2018Patients should ensure their doctor has received quality training and specialises in the condition being treated. Treatment should also be overseen by experts in brain function and neurostimulation, who have appropriate certification from reputable organisations, such as the Clinical TMS Society [an international body based in the US], to ensure effectiveness and safety,\u2019 he advises.<\/p>\n

Currently, the UK lacks national standards for who can administer TMS \u2013 whether in the NHS or private sector, meaning that, technically, any aesthetics practitioner can offer it.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, some experts believe we need more robust evidence for TMS in tackling anxiety.<\/p>\n

Dr Charlotte Marriott, an NHS psychiatrist based in Worcestershire, says: \u2018While TMS shows some potential, more research is required before it can be confidently recommended as a treatment for all anxiety disorders.\u2019<\/p>\n

She also stresses the importance of a thorough assessment by a GP or psychiatrist for anyone experiencing moderate to severe anxiety symptoms before starting any treatment.<\/p>\n

\u2018Although TMS is generally safe and well-tolerated, it isn\u2019t risk-free,\u2019 adds Dr Marriott.<\/p>\n

\u2018As well as headaches, lightheadedness and minor muscle spasms, seizures can occur \u2013 although rare \u2013 in fewer than one in 1,000 cases. TMS is not suitable for people with epilepsy or who have pacemakers and non-removable metal implants near the head.\u2019<\/p>\n

So has Exomind helped me? Three months on, I certainly feel calmer and more in control of my mind, although it\u2019s difficult to say definitively, without before and after tests to monitor my brain activity \u2013 and it could just be a placebo effect.<\/p>\n