In a recent study conducted on mice, it was revealed that acupuncture actually regulates the specific hormones associated with the biochemical reactions that take place in the body as a result of stress. It was not surprising to see that the pairing of points that performed the best included a point from the Liver channel. The Liver in Chinese medicine is most associated with the stress response and takes the most abuse under periods of chronic stress.
This study also demonstrated that the effects of acupuncture are one of balance and not simply suppression of the stress response. Acupuncture was found to reduce the stress response by regulating glucocorticoid receptor (GR) protein expression. Acupuncture simultaneously increased expression in the brain while decreasing it in the adrenal cortex. The opposite biochemical phenomenon occurs under chronic stress. The resulting effect is a greater ability to manage and react to stress without the harmful side effects associated with chronic stress.
On a daily basis, I have this research confirmed in a very real way. After an acupuncture session, people leave the clinic with a regained sense of calm, a softness to their eyes and a smile on their face.
Referenced study:
Wang, Shao-jun, Jiao-jiao Zhang, Li-li Qie, and Shao-Jun Wang. “Acupuncture relieves the excessive excitation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal cortex axis function and correlates with the regulatory mechanism of GR, CRH and ACTHR.” – https://yinstill.com/faqs/acupuncture-relieves-excessive-excitation-h…
