First came electroshock therapy decades ago — Scientists discover magnetic brain pulses can fight depression in just five days

Mar 13, 2026 - 06:00
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First came electroshock therapy decades ago — Scientists discover magnetic brain pulses can fight depression in just five days

A team of scientists has given the world a shock.

As humans, our brains are hardwired to think and feel in certain ways. Every single one of us has suffered from low emotions in some form or another, and treating the debilitating health issue can be a long process that costs thousands. But that reality is now shifting thanks to the new treatment revealed.

Would you make use of electroshock to treat mental health issues?

How we treat those who suffer from depression has changed over the years

Understanding the human brain requires extensive studies. During the Middle Ages, depression was confused with demonic possession or some kind of spiritual imbalance.

This led to treatments for depression such as exorcisms, starvation, and even just straight-up beating the issue out of the person.

The Ancient Greeks believed that depression stemmed from an excess of “black bile.” They treated it with bloodletting, changes in diet, and even just tried to wash it away in their now-iconic baths.

However, by the mid-20th century, science proved that depression came from a chemical imbalance, or the failure of our brain’s limbic system.

Our scientific prowess has forever altered our understanding of how our brains work

Through the advancement of science, we have gone from the guessing game to watching how our brains operate in real time.

For example, through new imaging tech, we now understand that our brain’s cognitive decline is influenced by several factors. The human science sector is playing a vital role in developing new medical treatments for mental issues.

We used to have to wait for a person to suffer a brain injury before understanding what took place in their minds.

Now, using fMRI and PET scans, we can actually watch the brain in real time as it lights up while we process thoughts and injuries. And the findings that are being made affect every aspect of human life, from how the body and brain age to our most complex thought patterns.

Electroshock therapy became relatively popular over the past few decades, but it still has a negative connotation attached to it.

Electroshock treatment takes years to produce results, but a new treatment is being developed by a team from UCLA Health that could drastically reduce the time frame for treating depression.

A radical new treatment for the debilitating depression has been revealed

UCLA has built a positive reputation for developing new treatments that could affect us all.

The team developed what has come to be known as transcranial magnetic stimulation. The research has highlighted an accelerated version of the process known as “five-by-five”. TMS usually takes roughly six to eight weeks to produce results,

But the new condensed version of the treatment has provided results in just five days for test subjects suffering from depression.

Our scientific advancement has seen scientists making revolutionary findings relating to everything from how we sleep to what measures to undertake to treat a wide range of mental issues.

How the new condensed version of TMS works to relieve us from depression

The noninvasive treatment employs magnetic pulses that, when activated, stimulate the parts of our brain that handle mood regulation.

The condensed version has mostly been used to treat those of us with treatment-resistant depression who can not find relief from traditional medical treatments or antidepressant medications.

They are able to produce results at such a rapid pace by treating patients with five sessions per day for five consecutive days, hence the 5×5 protocol.

Our brains are changing depending on the situations we place ourselves in. This new protocol, developed by UCLA Health, will provide millions with a renewed sense of optimism and relief. Are you ready for a rapid treatment to address your depression issues?

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