Gambling disorder is a behavioural addiction. Finding effective treatments for gambling disorder is important because of the harm it causes people who gamble, their families, and the community. Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) has been used to treat substance use disorders. NIBS may be an effective treatment for gambling disorder as well. The authors performed a systematic review of studies on NIBS treatments for gambling disorder. They found 11 studies that matched their criteria. Of these 11 studies, 7 reported a decrease in gambling behaviour, cravings, and gambling-related symptoms after NIBS treatments. Additionally, all 11 studies found no side effects of NIBS. Thus, NIBS may be an effective and safe treatment for gambling disorder. However, the studies were not consistent in how they administered the NIBS and measured outcomes. Also, most studies had few participants and the long-term effects were unknown. Thus, further research on NIBS for gambling disorders is recommended.
