NATCHEZ — Psychiatrists from throughout Mississippi and Louisiana gathered around a little machine in the Natchez Grand Hotel.

The psychiatrists were in attendance until Sunday for the annual Mississippi and Louisiana psychiatric associations’ joint conference, where doctors can see new technology and learn new techniques for treating patients.

Several doctors gathered around one particular piece of technology Friday evening, a MagVenture MagVita 360 TMS System.

The little machine with a big name is an FDA approved treatment for depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and even obsessive compulsive disorder, said Todd Simmons, a MagVenture representative at the conference.

Simmons said the machine stimulates neural tissue in the brain, which can help the brain secrete the right level of hormones for the afflicted individual.

“It basically wakes up the neurons in your brain,” Simmons said.

Several doctors gathered around the machine — some even dared to place their hand on the headpiece that emits the magnetic energy — but no one volunteered to allow the other MagVenture representative, Antonio Serven, to try the non-invasive procedure on them besides Simmons.

“I’ve actually never done this,” Simmons told the small crowd surrounding the machine. “So if it hurts, I’m wrong.”

Simmons placed a little white cap on his head and sat down in front of Serven. For a moment, the handheld device was silent and then pop, pop, pop, pop! The magnetic coils released their energy.

The sound of the magnetic energy, Simmons said, is “like an MRI, but much smaller.”

Simmons said the procedure was painless and, most importantly for patients, there are very few side effects.

“You might have a headache for 30 minutes or an hour afterward, but there really aren’t any side effects,” Simmons said. “A lot of people don’t know this but anti-depressants and drugs don’t work for everybody. This is a non-invasive, non-addictive procedure with no long-term side effects. It’s pretty cool.”

The technology is relatively new, only FDA approved in 2015, and it is only one of the many attractions of the spring meeting.

Angela Ladner, executive director of the Mississippi Psychiatric Association, said the focus of this year’s event is on addiction both as it pertains to the opioid crisis and other drugs.

“This is just a great way for physicians from both states to learn about new technology and procedures,” she said. “It’s a great opportunity.”