In crisis? Dial 988 Then press 1 for Veterans crisis line, 24/7
HOW IT WORKS
A Breakthrough in Brain Health
MeRT does not put anything into your body or numb how you feel. It measures your brain’s natural rhythm, identifies where that rhythm may be out of sync, and uses gentle magnetic pulses to help bring it back into balance.
WHAT IS MeRT?
MeRT stands for Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy. It is a personalized form of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) developed by Wave Neuroscience. Standard TMS has been used in psychiatry since the FDA first cleared it for depression in 2008; what makes MeRT different is that the settings are derived from a recording of your brain rather than from a population average.
In June 2026, the FDA cleared the MeRT System for post-traumatic stress disorder, the first personalized, biomarker-guided neuromodulation technology cleared for PTSD. The clearance followed a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled multisite trial conducted with the Institute of Biosciences and Technology at Texas A&M Health, with Dr. Ken Ramos, MD, PhD as principal investigator. The system had received Breakthrough Device designation from the FDA in 2024.
TIMING
WHEN YOUR BRAIN FEELS OUT OF SYNC
Your brain is constantly communicating with itself. That rhythm helps you sleep, focus, process what’s happening around you, and settle down after stress.
Blast exposure, repeated head impacts, chronic stress, and sleep deprivation can disrupt that rhythm. Your scans may look normal, but you can still struggle with sleep, focus, irritability, or feeling constantly on alert.
You may know the feeling: wired but tired. Your body is exhausted, but your brain won’t shut off.
That’s where MeRT comes in.
TREATMENT
WHAT THE qEEG DOES
Treatment starts with a qEEG, which records your brain activity using a soft sensor cap. The process is painless and takes about 10 minutes of recording time.
The results help identify your brain’s individual rhythm and guide your treatment. We repeat the scan during treatment to see how your brain is responding and adjust your protocol when needed.
Your brain is different. Your treatment should be too.
TREATMENT
WHAT A SESSION IS LIKE
You sit in a chair, awake and in your normal clothes. A clinician places a magnetic coil near your scalp and delivers gentle pulses designed around your individual brain activity.
You’ll hear a rhythmic clicking and may feel a light tapping on your scalp. Sessions typically last 15 to 30 minutes.
Then you get up and get on with your day. There is no sedation, anesthesia, or recovery period.
Treatment is designed to be consistent, with your progress monitored along the way. The timing and number of sessions can vary based on your individual treatment plan.
RESULTS
WHAT MAY CHANGE
Everyone responds differently, but sleep is often one of the first things people notice.
You may begin to experience:
Less Hypervigilance
Feeling less like you have to constantly scan the room.
Better Sleep
Falling asleep more easily and staying asleep longer.
Better Focus
Fewer lost words and clearer thinking.
More Emotional Balance
A little more space between what happens and how you react.
Better Connection
More energy and presence for the people and things that matter.
*These are not guarantees. Everyone responds differently, and some people do not respond to treatment.
SLEEP
Why we pay attention to sleep
Sleep gives your brain time to recover. When your brain’s rhythm is disrupted, you can spend eight hours in bed and still wake up exhausted.
That’s why sleep is one of the first things we watch as treatment progresses.
We also encourage something simple: get outside in natural morning light. It costs nothing and can help reinforce your sleep-wake cycle while treatment does its part.
EFFECTS
Side effects and screening
The most commonly reported side effects are headache and fatigue. As with other forms of TMS, there is also a rare risk of seizure.
We’ll ask about your medical history, medications, implants, and other factors before treatment to make sure MeRT is appropriate for you.
MeRT is not a crisis intervention. If you’re thinking about suicide or need immediate help, call or text 988. You can begin treatment intake afterward.
COST
WHAT DOES IT COST?
For Missouri veterans, first responders, and families, the program covers the evaluation, treatment protocol, sessions, and follow-up scan.
For everyone else, treatment may be covered through insurance or available through self-pay. You’ll know your cost before you begin.
No surprises. No unnecessary barriers. Just a clear path to getting help.
The funded program is privately financed and independent of the VA. Participation does not create a VA record, affect a disability rating, or require a VA referral.