Magnetic Stimulation Showed Promise for Meth Addiction

A new three-week treatment protocol helped adults with methamphetamine use disorder reduce cravings and depression symptoms.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Substance Abuse

Magnetic Stimulation Showed Promise for Meth Addiction

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An accelerated repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) protocol improved craving and depression symptoms in a trial of 20 participants with methamphetamine use disorder. Currently, there are no FDA-approved medications to treat this addiction, making these preliminary findings a potential path forward for future clinical care.

Why it matters

The lack of established pharmacological treatments for methamphetamine use disorder leaves patients with few options for recovery. This study explored an alternative, non-invasive therapeutic approach to address the high neurological demand of overcoming stimulant dependence.

In a feasibility study involving 20 participants, an accelerated TMS protocol achieved a 94.7% completion rate of at least 45 sessions over 3 weeks. These preliminary results suggest improved ability to resist cravings, though a larger trial is required to validate these outcomes.

The players

UT Southwestern Medical Center

A research and academic medical institution based in Dallas, Texas, that investigates novel neurological interventions for addiction.

The details

The treatment protocol involved 50 sessions of intermittent theta burst stimulation delivered over three weeks. Before each 10-minute stimulation session, participants viewed images specifically designed to induce cravings, aiming to retrain neural pathways associated with substance use. This accelerated approach uses magnetic pulses to modulate brain activity, providing a concentrated therapeutic intervention compared to traditional, longer-duration treatment schedules.

2021: Researchers evaluated a pharmacological combination of naltrexone and bupropion.
2024-2026: The study screened 28 individuals and enrolled 20 participants.
October 12, 2026: Results were presented at the American Society of Functional Neuroradiology meeting in Newport Beach, California.

Health Landscape

This development represents a departure from the pharmacological approach used in the 2021 randomized trial that tested naltrexone and bupropion. It highlights a shift toward neuro-modulation techniques as researchers seek alternatives to address the lack of standard clinical care.

These findings are strictly preliminary and do not change current treatment options for methamphetamine use disorder. Patients or families seeking support should discuss established, evidence-based behavioral therapies with a physician while waiting for larger clinical trials to conclude.

The takeaway

While this magnetic stimulation protocol showed early success in reducing cravings, the science remains in the feasibility phase. Individuals struggling with substance use should consult a licensed clinician to explore the full range of currently available, FDA-supported therapeutic options.