If you’re beginning Magnetic E-Resonance Therapy (MeRT®), you’re already taking an important step toward improving your brain health. At The Insync Brain, an advanced TMS clinic in St. Louis, we often explain that successful brain therapy doesn’t stop with what happens in the treatment chair. Small daily habits, including how much water you drink, can significantly impact your results. Hydration plays a key role in supporting brain function, and staying well hydrated throughout your MeRT® treatment can help you feel better, think more clearly, and see improved outcomes.
What Is MeRT® and How Does It Support Brain Health?
MeRT® is a personalized, non-invasive form of TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) that uses qEEG brain mapping to identify areas of dysregulation. These are regions where your brainwaves are either overactive or underactive. Once those areas are identified, gentle magnetic stimulation is used to guide your brain toward more organized, optimal activity. This therapy has shown positive results for people with depression, anxiety, PTSD, autism, sleep issues, and cognitive challenges.
Because MeRT® works with your brain’s natural patterns, creating a supportive environment around your therapy is essential. One of the most powerful and simple ways to do that is by staying properly hydrated.
Why Hydration Is Important for Brain Function During MeRT®
The human brain is about 75% water. Every thought, emotion, and decision your brain makes relies on adequate hydration. Even mild dehydration can cause problems with concentration, memory, mood regulation, and energy—all of which are crucial during your MeRT® treatment. When you’re not drinking enough water, blood flow to the brain decreases, and neurons can’t function as efficiently. This can make it harder for your brain to respond to MeRT® and benefit from its effects.
Hydration also supports electrical activity in the brain, which is the very focus of MeRT® therapy. Since MeRT® helps normalize your brainwave activity, proper hydration gives your brain the fuel it needs to adapt and reorganize.
Hydration and the Efficacy of MeRT® Therapy
One of the goals of MeRT® is to help your brain communicate more efficiently. This reorganization process relies on cellular repair, oxygen flow, and waste removal—processes that all depend on water. When you’re hydrated, your body can better deliver nutrients to the brain and remove toxins that may interfere with healing.
Our patients often report increased clarity, better mood stability, and improved energy when they begin focusing on hydration as part of their overall MeRT® experience. In some cases, simply increasing water intake can reduce symptoms like fatigue, headaches, or brain fog during therapy.
How Much Water Should You Drink During MeRT® Therapy?
A general guideline is to aim for half your body weight in ounces of water each day. For example, someone who weighs 160 pounds should aim for about 80 ounces of water. If you consume caffeine or alcohol, or if you exercise regularly, you may need even more.
In addition to drinking water, you can support hydration by eating water-rich foods such as cucumbers, oranges, melons, and leafy greens. These also contain electrolytes that help your body retain fluids and support nerve function.
What Role do Electrolytes Play in Hydration?
Electrolytes play a crucial role in keeping your body properly hydrated. These essential minerals, including sodium, potassium, and magnesium, help your cells absorb and retain water, regulate nerve function, and support muscle and brain activity. Without enough electrolytes, drinking water alone may not be enough to fully hydrate your body. To help support your hydration during TMS treatment, we offer LMNT in the office. LMNT is a balanced electrolyte drink mix with no added sugars or artificial ingredients, making it a simple and effective way to replenish what your body needs.
Tips to Stay Hydrated
Remember, you don’t have to overhaul your entire routine. Simple changes can help you stay hydrated consistently:
- Begin your morning with a full glass of water.
- Bring a reusable water bottle to your MeRT® sessions.
- Add lemon or mint to your water if you want more flavor.
- Include electrolytes in your daily routine.
- Set reminders throughout the day to take a few sips.
The goal is to make hydration a natural part of your daily brain care, just like your MeRT® sessions.
Hydration and Brain Healing Go Hand in Hand
At The Insync Brain, we believe that brain health is a whole-body process. MeRT® therapy is a powerful tool to help regulate and optimize brain function, but your daily habits play a meaningful role in how well your brain responds. Drinking enough water is one of the simplest ways to support your brain throughout your healing journey.
If you’re interested in starting MeRT® therapy or want to learn more about how to get the best results from your treatment, our St. Louis MeRT® team is here to guide you. We’ll help you understand how lifestyle habits like hydration, nutrition, and sleep all contribute to your brain’s ability to heal and thrive.