How does TMS therapy work for depression?

TMS uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain that are underactive in people with depression. This aims to regulate mood and alleviate depressive symptoms.

What are the potential side effects of TMS treatment?

While generally considered non-invasive with minimal side effects, some individuals undergoing TMS, especially the intensive SAINT protocol, may experience fatigue, nausea, or headaches. It is not typically painful.

How long does the SAINT protocol take?

The SAINT protocol is an intensive 5-day treatment program. It involves multiple TMS sessions each day, interspersed with breaks.

Is the SAINT protocol the first line of treatment for depression?

No, medications like SSRIs are often the first choice due to accessibility and cost, but TMS, including the SAINT protocol, is a good option, especially for treatment-resistant depression.

What was Kate's experience with the SAINT protocol?

Kate underwent the 5-day accelerated SAINT protocol. While she experienced emotional ups and downs, including skepticism and moments of feeling better, her friends and family observed a significant positive change in her mood and demeanor.

Can TMS treatment for depression be expensive?

Yes, TMS treatment can be very expensive, potentially costing around $30,000 out-of-pocket. Gaining insurance coverage can be difficult, though Medicare covers it in hospital settings.

What advice is given to someone struggling with depression?

The advice is to move quickly through the denial phase, talk to a doctor and trusted people, and focus on the factual data of your experiences to find solutions and support.

We Tried To Cure Her Depression (In 5 Days)

Bryan Johnson

Education4 min read26 min video

Mar 18, 2025|358,980 views|11,295|2,137

Bryan Johnson Brian Johnson Blueprint Longevity Don't Die depression treatment mental health innovations depression therapy new treatments for depression technology in medicine brain stimulation therapy latest mental health research

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Key Moments

TL;DR

Kate undergoes a 5-day SAINT TMS protocol to treat her depression, showing significant improvement with a hopeful outlook.

Key Insights

The SAINT protocol is a specialized 5-day TMS treatment for depression with a high success rate.

Depression affects a significant portion of the population, with many struggling to access effective treatments.

TMS, particularly the SAINT protocol, offers a non-invasive, drug-free alternative with fewer side effects than medication.

Access to TMS treatments like SAINT can be challenging due to high costs and insurance limitations.

Early intervention and early diagnosis are crucial for effective depression treatment.

Emotional resilience and self-perception play a key role in managing and recovering from depression.

INTRODUCTION TO THE SAINT PROTOCOL

This video documents Kate's experience with the SAINT protocol, a groundbreaking 5-day Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) treatment designed to address depression. Unlike traditional treatments, SAINT is non-invasive, drug-free, and boasts a reported 79% success rate. Kate, the co-founder of Blueprint, had been struggling with depression for four years and, seeking an alternative to antidepressants, decided to undergo this intensive treatment at Kaizen Brain Center in San Diego. Her journey highlights the challenges many face in accessing and affording effective mental health solutions, emphasizing the need for more accessible and innovative therapies.

UNDERSTANDING DEPRESSION AND ITS SYMPTOMS

Kate describes her depression as a pervasive numbness rather than overt sadness, manifesting in physical symptoms like feeling 'stuck' and even experiencing a lack of motivation to perform basic actions like peeing. She notes that while she has been outwardly functional, her internal experience has been significantly altered for years. The video touches upon the prevalence of depression, affecting 13.3% of the US population, with women being twice as likely to be on antidepressants. This underscores the widespread nature of the condition and the urgent need for effective treatments.

THE TMS AND SAINT PROTOCOL MECHANISM

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain linked to depression. The SAINT protocol is a more precise and accelerated form of TMS, developed through research and algorithms to predict patient response. Before treatment, Kate underwent an MRI to pinpoint the exact target area in her brain. The SAINT protocol involves intensive daily sessions, with about 60 sessions spread over five days, occurring every hour with a 10-minute treatment followed by a 50-minute break. This intensive schedule is a departure from standard TMS, which typically spans months.

THE INTENSIVE 5-DAY EXPERIENCE

The 5-day SAINT protocol is demanding, with Kate undergoing treatment from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. She describes the sensation as a combination of electricity and tapping, which can be uncomfortable and cause involuntary facial movements, but is generally not painful. Despite the physical intensity and occasional nausea or fatigue, Kate remains hopeful. The continuous nature of the treatment allows for rapid progress, with some patients experiencing changes by day five, although accessibility and cost remain significant barriers, with treatments often costing around $30,000 out-of-pocket and insurance coverage being difficult to obtain.

EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SHIFTS DURING TREATMENT

Kate experiences a range of emotions throughout the SAINT protocol. Initially, she felt both hopeful and skeptical. Midway through the week, she began to notice subtle shifts, describing moments where her mood felt elevated and a sense of 'nice long' feelings. However, this was followed by periods of feeling tired, nauseated, and even experiencing a return of depressive feelings, leading to self-doubt about the treatment's effectiveness. This emotional fluctuation highlights the complex and often non-linear nature of recovery from depression.

THE IMPACT OF SUPPORT AND EXTERNAL PERSPECTIVES

The support system plays a crucial role in Kate's journey. Her friends and colleagues, including Bryan Johnson, visited her during the treatment, offering encouragement and external validation. Their observations of her mood and behavior provided a crucial perspective, as Kate herself struggled to accurately assess her own progress due to self-perception mismatch and a tendency to downplay her experiences. The surprise visit from Bryan and Tage on day four was particularly impactful, lifting her spirits and reinforcing the positive changes she was beginning to feel.

ASSESSING THE OUTCOME AND LONG-TERM IMPLICATIONS

By the end of the 5-day SAINT protocol, Kate reports feeling significantly better, describing a 'night and day difference' and a lifting of a long-held weight. She notes a sustained improvement in her mood and a decrease in self-destructive urges. However, she also experienced a temporary relapse, which paradoxically helped her appreciate the difference between feeling depressed and not. While external feedback suggests the treatment was successful, Kate emphasizes that she is not a reliable judge of her own recovery. She reflects on the importance of early intervention and advises others to move quickly through the denial phase of depression.

REFLECTIONS AND ADVICE FOR OTHERS

Kate concludes by reflecting on her experience and offering advice to those struggling with depression. She regrets not seeking treatment sooner, acknowledging that years were lost in denial and hoping this protocol can become more accessible. Her key advice is to overcome the denial phase as quickly as possible to enable seeking solutions and support. She encourages open communication with doctors and loved ones to ascertain the raw facts of one's experience, stressing that seeking help is a sign of strength and that recovery is possible.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Supplements

●Companies

●Organizations

●Concepts

SAINT Protocol TMS Treatment Guidelines

Practical takeaways from this episode

Do This

Understand that TMS treatment can be intense and may cause fatigue or nausea.

Have faith in the process even when doubt creeps in.

Communicate discomfort or intensity levels to technicians during sessions.

Recognize that improvement may be subtle at first.

Be open to external validation from friends and family about your progress.

Get through the denial phase quickly to facilitate recovery.

Talk to your doctor and trusted people about your experiences.

Focus on the raw facts and data when assessing your situation.

Avoid This

Don't expect instant results; improvement can take time.

Don't fall into the 'avoidance' trap or deny your reality.

Don't underestimate your depression or feel ashamed to seek help.

Don't get discouraged if treatment seems inaccessible or expensive initially.

Don't dismiss potential treatments just because they might seem archaic in the future.

Don't let impostor syndrome make you doubt your own experience of depression.

Don't rely solely on your own perception of your mental state; seek external feedback.

Common Questions

The SAINT protocol is a specialized, 5-day intensive form of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy designed to treat depression. It involves frequent sessions over a short period, aiming for significant improvement.

Topics

TMS SAINT Protocol Treatment-resistant Depression Neuromodulation Brain Stimulation Anhedonia Mood Regulation

Mentioned in this video

conceptTMS

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, a non-invasive treatment using magnets to activate brain areas linked to depression. Approved by the FDA since 2008.

organizationKaisen Brain Center

The facility where the speaker underwent the SAINT protocol treatment.

toolSAINT protocol