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NEUROTHERAPY FOR ADDICTION: RESEARCH

Neuromodulation offers a science-backed approach to addiction recovery by targeting the brain systems involved in cravings, decision-making, and emotional regulation. Techniques like Neuromodulation, Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (pEMF), and Photobiomodulation (PBM) help rebalance dopamine function, enhance impulse control, reduce stress responses, and support long-term brain healing through neuroplasticity.

Explore the research below to learn how these interventions work and why they’re gaining recognition as effective tools for recovery.

    • Bari A, DiCesare J, Babayan D, Runcie M, Sparks H, Wilson B. Neuromodulation for substance addiction in human subjects: A review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2018 Dec;95:33-43. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.09.013. Epub 2018 Sep 27. PMID: 30268433; PMCID: PMC7405948.

    • Bremner JD, Gazi AH, Lambert TP, Nawar A, Harrison AB, Welsh JW, Vaccarino V, Walton KM, Jaquemet N, Mermin-Bunnell K, Mesfin H, Gray TA, Ross K, Saks G, Tomic N, Affadzi D, Bikson M, Shah AJ, Dunn KE, Giordano NA, Inan OT. Noninvasive Vagal Nerve Stimulation for Opioid Use Disorder. Ann Depress Anxiety. 2023;10(1):1117. Epub 2023 Aug 2. PMID: 38074313; PMCID: PMC10699253.

    • Chan YH, Chang HM, Lu ML, Goh KK. Targeting cravings in substance addiction with transcranial direct current stimulation: insights from a meta-analysis of sham-controlled trials. Psychiatry Res. 2024 Jan;331:115621. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115621. Epub 2023 Nov 25. PMID: 38043411.

    • Dunlop K, Hanlon CA, Downar J. Noninvasive brain stimulation treatments for addiction and major depression. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2017 Apr;1394(1):31-54. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.12985. Epub 2016 Feb 5. PMID: 26849183; PMCID: PMC5434820.

    • Perrotta, D., & Perri, R. L. (2022). Mini-review: When neurostimulation joins cognitive-behavioral therapy. On the need of combining evidence-based treatments for addiction disorders. Neuroscience Letters, 777, 136588. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2022.136588

    • Ma, T., Sun, Y., & Ku, Y. (2019). Effects of Non-invasive Brain Stimulation on Stimulant Craving in Users of Cocaine, Amphetamine, or Methamphetamine: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2019.01095

    • Tseng, P., Jeng, J., Zeng, B., Stubbs, B., Carvalho, A. F., Brunoni, A. R., Su, K., Tu, Y., Wu, Y., Chen, T., Lin, P., Liang, C., Hsu, C., Chen, Y., & Li, C. (2022). Efficacy of non-invasive brain stimulation interventions in reducing smoking frequency in patients with nicotine dependence: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Addiction, 117(7), 1830–1842. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.15624

    • van der Groen, O., Potok, W., Wenderoth, N., Edwards, G., Mattingley, J. B., & Edwards, D. (2022). Using noise for the better: The effects of transcranial random noise stimulation on the brain and behavior. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 138, 104702. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104702

    • Hadadgar, S., Peimani, J., Hassani-Abharian, P., Mashayekh, M., Peivandi, P., & Fekrazad, R. (2024). Comparative Effects of Cognitive Rehabilitation and Photobiomodulation on Drug Craving in Treatment-Seeking Opioid Addicts. Photobiomodulation, Photomedicine, and Laser Surgery, 42(1), 54–65. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/photob.2023.0064

What Neurotherapy treatments does Transformative Neurotherapy offer?

“Neurotherapy” or “Neuromodulation” is a broad term for a number of different types of treatment options. We’ve outlined below what Transformative Neurotherapy does and does not currently offer.

Table comparing types of neurotherapy offered by Transformative Neurotherapy, featuring checkmarks and crosses indicating availability of each type.