Short-Term Smoking Cessation
For adults who have failed at least one quit attempt.
In 2020, BrainsWay's H4 coil became the first brain-stimulation device cleared by the FDA for any addiction. The coil targets bilateral lateral prefrontal cortex and insula — the circuits that drive craving and habitual use. Treatment is delivered alongside brief smoking-cue exposure to engage the relevant network.
Coverage by health insurance for this indication is more variable than for depression, but the protocol is short — three to six weeks — making cash-pay an option for many patients.
FDA status
FDA-cleared (BrainsWay H4, 2020 — first TMS system cleared for any addiction)
Standard protocol at IPMG TMS
3 weeks of daily sessions + follow-up · H4, 10 Hz, with brief cue exposure
- 28% vs 12% (4-week continuous quit rate)Pivotal multisite RCT, 262 chronic smokers with at least one prior failed quit.Zangen et al., World Psychiatry 2021
Who this is for.
- Adults who smoke and have failed ≥1 quit attempt
- Patients seeking a non-pharmacologic adjunct to behavioral support
Eligibility is finalized at consultation. We screen carefully for contraindications — see the Safety page.
Talk with the IPMG TMS team.
A consultation is the right next step. We will review your prior treatments, confirm whether you meet the FDA-cleared criteria for this indication, and walk you through what your insurance covers.