I Tried the New FDA-Approved Treatment for Perimenopausal Brain Fog and Anxiety—Here’s How I Feel Now

Inside a wellness spa in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, a video of Gwyneth Paltrow plays on a quiet loop near the reception desk. The Goop mogul lies on a pillowed Exomind treatment bed, a fluffy Maltese on her chest, and a cushioned headpiece crowning her head.

What is Exomind? Well, Paltrow wanted to know more, too. In the video, the 53-year-old says, “I’m super curious about any modality where there’s not a lot of side effects [and] which shows potential [for] helping what I’m going through now with perimenopause: All this brain fog and anxiety.” After reading up on the treatment, which Paltrow has described as a “beautiful neuromodulation experience that helps calm the mind, restore clarity, and reconnect with yourself on a deeper level,” she decided to give Exomind “a whirl.”

Same. When an Exomind rep invited me to swing by Lume for six hosted sessions, I thought, well, why not give it a whirl? Here’s a look at my experience, which—sadly—included no dogs, but has had a subtly mellowing effect on my own mood. And don’t worry: I’ll supplement my own takeaways (and GP’s) with input from board-certified pros.

What Is Exomind?

A little bit about me: I’m 45, intimately familiar with anxiety, and not unacquainted with brain fog. Still, I didn’t really know what to expect going in, or what I could hope to get from the treatment. “It’s what Gwyneth Paltrow gets for perimenopause symptoms,” I told friends, shrugging. “It’s FDA-cleared!” For a somewhat more nuanced description, I checked in with board-certified psychiatrist Michelle Dees, MD, a TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) specialist who was a principal investigator for the 2024-2025 BTL Exomind Mental Wellness Study.

“Exomind is a TMS device, and it works pretty simply: by placing a magnet on the left side of the head,” Dr. Dees explained. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which plays a large role in mood regulation, focus, and cognition, is on the left side of the brain’s frontal lobe, and Exomind uses electromagnetic pulses to stimulate it during each treatment. “These electromagnetic pulses help promote neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to form new neural connections or strengthen existing ones,” Dr. Dees explained. “It will also help your neurons become a bit more balanced as far as neurochemicals such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine go.”

As well, the treatment has been clinically shown to rebalance brain activity associated with depression, help curb food cravings, and more. Here’s a helpful analogy from double board-certified psychiatrist and addiction psychiatrist Dr. Tola T’Sarumi, who goes by Dr. Tola. “I like to compare Exomind to jump-starting a car battery,” she says. “If your brain circuits have been sluggish, it wakes them up and gets them firing again.” That was good enough for me. Who couldn’t use a little frontal-lobe jumpstart?

Who Is Exomind For—and Who Is It Not For?

My first treatment started, as many do, with a small pile of paperwork. In the cozy, candlelit treatment room, I checked off box after box to confirm that I didn’t have any contraindications, and provided details on my medical background. This part is important: “Exomind is FDA-cleared for major depressive disorder, especially in people who haven’t found relief with medication or who can’t tolerate its side effects,” says Dr. Tola. “It’s also effective for insomnia, focus, poor concentration, brain fog, anxiety, addiction, binge eating disorder, smoking cessation, and other conditions. That said, it isn’t for everyone.”

She warns that those with pacemakers, bipolar mania, brain shunts, or metal implants near the head should not undergo treatment. The same can be said for those with unstable medical conditions and certain cardiovascular or neurological issues, and it’s not recommended for pregnant women. As always, it’s best to consult with your doctor before beginning treatment.

What to Expect at an Exomind Treatment

After finishing my paperwork and taking off my jewelry, I climbed under a blanket on the cushy treatment bed while the RN—who stayed with me for my entire first treatment—started the “mapping” process. “‘Mapping’ means that we find your motor threshold, or the precise spot and intensity where the coil should deliver stimulation,” Dr. Tola says. “We know we’ve found it when we see a slight twitch in your hand or fingers. Once that’s set, treatment begins.”