Psychofarm Podcast TMS and The Future of Psychiatry, Part 1 with Dr. Owen Muir
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Feb 4, 2025 Dr. Owen Muir, an interventional psychiatrist and founder of Fermata Health who builds and studies advanced neuromodulation tools. He breaks down how TMS uses magnetic fields to nudge brain rhythms, describes motor mapping and coil placement, and explores accelerated protocols, safety, novel targets, and practical barriers to wider access.
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Brain Rhythms Drive Mental States
- Owen Muir explains the brain communicates mostly via electrical rhythms inside neurons, not just chemical imbalances.
- TMS uses changing magnetic fields to induce rhythmic currents that re-sync brain networks and behavior.
Measure And Target Precisely
- Map the motor cortex to set individualized motor threshold and then move the coil to a precise treatment target.
- Use imaging-guided or connectivity-based targets rather than just tape-measure placement when possible.
Accelerate With Spaced Sessions
- Accelerate TMS by delivering multiple spaced sessions per day (e.g., 5–20) to shorten course and improve outcomes.
- Space sessions (about 30–90 minutes) rather than deliver them back-to-back for better plasticity.
