Submission + - The Mystery of Acupuncture Explained in Rat Model (theguardian.com) 1
hackingbear writes: A biological mechanism explaining part of the mystery of the acupuncture has been pinpointed by scientists studying rats. The research showed that applying electroacupuncture to an especially powerful acupuncture point known as stomach meridian point 36 (St36) affected a complex interaction between hormones known as the hypothalamus pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis. In stressed rats exposed to unpleasant cold stimulation, HPA activity was reduced. The findings provide the strongest evidence yet that the ancient Chinese therapy has more than a placebo effect when used to treat chronic stress, it is claimed. “Some antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs exert their therapeutic effects on these same mechanisms,” said lead investigator Dr Ladan Eshkevari, from Georgetown University medical centre in Washington DC.
Old news? (Score:2)
This research is from a paper in 2013, I'm not sure why the news has just picked it up... There's nothing new on her publications page or in google scholar...
https://nhs.georgetown.edu/new... [georgetown.edu]
http://explore.georgetown.edu/... [georgetown.edu]
https://scholar.google.com/sch... [google.com]