Can TMS Help with Long COVID Brain Fog? Exploring Early Research and Possibilities

While many people recover from COVID-19 without long-term issues, others continue to experience lingering symptoms that interfere with daily life. One of the most frustrating and poorly understood of these symptoms is brain fog—the mental cloudiness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating that can persist for months after the initial infection.

At Goodwin Health Café, we’re known for taking a thoughtful, scientific approach to healing. As interest grows around TMS for Long COVID brain fog, we’re carefully following the emerging research and supporting our community with honest, balanced insights into how transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may play a role in long-term recovery.

What Is Long COVID Brain Fog?

“Brain fog” isn’t a formal medical diagnosis, but it’s the term many people use to describe symptoms such as:

• Trouble concentrating

• Memory issues

• Slowed thinking

• Trouble finding words

• Mental fatigue

• Difficulty multitasking

This cognitive dysfunction can be especially debilitating for people who were previously high-functioning. Even simple tasks—reading, emailing, cooking—can feel overwhelming or impossible.

For some, these symptoms resolve in a few months. For others, they persist long after the virus has left the body, a condition now referred to as Long COVID or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC).

Why Brain Fog Happens After COVID

Researchers believe Long COVID brain fog may stem from several factors:

• Neuroinflammation: Inflammatory responses in the brain may disrupt neural signaling.

• Microvascular damage: COVID may impair blood flow to certain areas of the brain.

• Immune system overactivation: A dysregulated immune response may contribute to ongoing symptoms.

• Disruption in the frontal lobe and prefrontal cortex: These are brain regions associated with planning, memory, and executive function.

While there is no FDA-approved treatment specifically for brain fog, these suspected mechanisms overlap with areas already being studied in other neurological conditions—some of which have shown positive responses to TMS.

How TMS Works

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive therapy that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate targeted areas of the brain, particularly the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC)—a region involved in attention, working memory, and mood regulation.

TMS has already been approved by the FDA to treat conditions like major depressive disorder, OCD, and smoking cessation, and it’s being studied in a variety of neurological disorders.

What’s promising for Long COVID? In many ways, the mechanisms of brain fog align with cognitive dysfunction in other conditions that TMS has shown success treating.

TMS for Long COVID Brain Fog: What the Research Says So Far

While studies are still in their early stages, a few small trials and case reports suggest TMS may have a role to play in improving cognitive symptoms related to Long COVID:

• A 2022 pilot study in Japan showed that patients with persistent brain fog after COVID reported improvements in attention and memory after several sessions of TMS.

• Case studies out of Europe noted measurable improvement in verbal fluency and fatigue symptoms following prefrontal TMS treatments.

• Research on TMS for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)—which shares overlapping symptoms with Long COVID—also shows promising cognitive benefits.

Still, it’s important to note that no large-scale, placebo-controlled trials have been completed yet. The field is rapidly evolving, and more data is needed before definitive conclusions can be made. But for those struggling with persistent brain fog, it offers hope that options are on the horizon.

Is TMS Safe for Long COVID Patients?

TMS is considered very safe and is well-tolerated by most patients. The most common side effects are mild scalp discomfort or temporary headaches.

Because TMS does not involve medication or anesthesia and doesn’t require any downtime, it may be particularly suitable for people with complex or sensitive medical histories—including those recovering from Long COVID.

What We’re Watching at Goodwin Health Café

Our team is closely tracking the science, and we believe TMS deserves attention as a potential supportive treatment for people living with Long COVID. While more studies are needed, we recognize that many patients are in desperate need of relief now—not years from now.

If you’re struggling with cognitive symptoms after COVID and aren’t sure where to turn, we welcome you to schedule a consultation. We’ll assess whether TMS may be appropriate for your unique situation, walk you through what to expect, and collaborate with your care team to support your recovery.

Final Thoughts

Long COVID brain fog is real, frustrating, and life-disrupting. While there’s still much to learn, TMS for Long COVID brain fog is an area of active research and hopeful exploration. As more data emerges, we remain committed to offering integrative, evidence-informed care to help our patients feel more like themselves again.

Goodwin Health Café offers TMS therapy in Spokane, WA, with a focus on personalized, compassionate mental health care.

Our clinic is located at:

5625 N. Wall St. Suite 100, Spokane, WA 99205

To learn more or schedule a consultation, visit: https://www.goodwinhealthcafe.com/