In this article I have included the references in the brackets like this: [Wikipedia article:TMS] and omissions from the original article like this: […]
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a relatively new method of treatment of depression. What makes it relevant to TIs is that, it uses a non-invasive method [which means a method that does not require any surgery or cuts or insertion of external devices into the body] to influence the brain directly. In this post I will first talk about the treatment itself, then I go into an overview of technical aspects of the technology, finally, I’ll talk about implications it has for TIs. So first the medical treatment:
TMS works by by delivering highly focused […] magnetic pulses to non-invasively stimulate the brain in the region associated with mood regulation.[…] It does not require anesthesia or sedation and patients remain awake and alert during the treatment session. Each treatment lasts just under 40 minutes and is typically administered daily for four to six weeks. The number of treatments depends on each patient's response to treatment. The patient sits in a reclined chair and the coil is placed over the left forehead area. The treatment coil generates magnetic fields which turn on and off very rapidly. Patients may experience muscle tension headaches or scalp discomfort at the treatment site. Although rare, there is a risk of seizure with TMS therapy. [Rush university: TMS]
publications reporting the results of reviews and statistical meta-analyses of earlier investigations have stated that rTMS appeared to be effective in the treatment of certain types of major depression under certain specific conditions. [Wikipedia article: TMS, Therapeutic use]
Now let’s talk about how it works:
Generally, we know that a current of electricity in any wire generates magnetic field around the wire, also any change in electric field can cause magnetic fields.(this is a part of Ampère's law with Maxwell's correction[Wikipedia article: Maxwell equations]). In addition, change in the magnetic field around a conductor can cause electric current in the conductor(this is deducted from the Faraday’s law). [Wikipedia article: Maxwell equations])
The coil that is held above the head of patient has a changing electric current which causes a magnetic field. Because the electricity inside the coil is rapidly pulsating, the magnetic field generated by it is also changing regularly. This change in the magnetic field causes the brain cells(called neurons) to get electric charge. This electric charge is enough to cause the flow of electricity in the neurons and between them. (the activities of the brain including thinking, mood, movement of muscles etc. are caused by the flow of electricity inside neurons and between them). This electric currents in the brain mimics the brain’s normal activity. That’s how the brain is forced into activity.
Now let’s talk about the implications for TIs:
The same principles can be used to cause induced thoughts, involuntary movements, mood change and many other aspects of mind control. Although the structure of the brain is very complex and mimicking the exact electric current that causes a specific thought or a specific mood in the brain is difficult. However, observing and recording the activities of the brain of the target and by using the extensive “Thought Dictionary” (this is the name I have given to the software that translates specific electric currents in brain to specific thoughts) it is possible to induce the desired thought or mood in targets.