Science behind acupuncture: Neiguan point

You know those wrist bands with the little button they sell for seasickness? Sure, it seems like a scam. But there’s some science behind it. Way back in the prehistoric era, (2001) Swedish scientists enrolled sixty pregnant women in a randomized placebo controlled trial. They proved that acupressure at the Neiguan point improved symptoms of nausea and vomiting. In 2006, an analysis of twenty-six different scientific studies bolstered the evidence, proving stimulation of the Neiguan point improved nausea and vomiting, both due to morning sickness and for other reasons. If you’re wondering why that goofy wristband never worked for you, you probably don’t know what the Neiguan point is and probably wore the darned thing on some random point on your wrist. 

A combination of animal and human studies has put some meat on the scientific bones. Brain cells (neurons) have receptors on their surfaces (like miniscule dream catchers) where floating proteins (neurotransmitters) can lodge. When a neurotransmitter attaches to a receptor the activity of the neuron changes. In 2020, Chinese scientists discovered acupuncture at the Neiguan point in laboratory animals changed neuronal receptors, especially in the hippocampus (part of the brain responsible for learning and memory). Previous researchers have demonstrated (in humans) that acupuncture at the Neiguan point has widespread brain effects. For instance, in 2009, Taiwanese researchers measured the brain waves (electroencephalogram (EEG)) of volunteers before and after acupuncture. The scientists reported increased electrical activity and EEG synchronization which was caused by acupuncture at the Neiguan point and persisted long after the acupuncture needle was removed. Another group of scientists discovered acupuncture related increases activity in the faraway vagus nerve. The vagus is an extremely long nerve that wanders from the brainstem (the part of the brain responsible for basic life functions such as heartbeat and breathing) throughout many major organs of the body (such as the heart, kidney and bowels). Acupuncture at the Neiguan point has also been reported to alter the signals emanating from the cerebellum. The cerebellum resides at the back and bottom of our heads. It is the main balance and coordination center of the brain. It is vital in the performance of tasks such as walking, writing, grooming and feeding oneself. Without its proper function we could not fine tune any of our motions or even sit upright.

What’s more, stimulation of the Neiguan point has proven beneficial for more than just nausea and vomiting. A lot more! In fact, Chinese scientists proved that acupuncture can save your life. In 2020, the doctors came upon a patient with a potentially fatal heart arrhythmia (Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT)). After standard treatments failed to convert the 67 year-old woman’s heart rhythm to normal, the doctors leapt into action. They stuck an acupuncture needle into her right sided Neiguan point. With bated breath, they watched the electrocardiogram and, what do you know, after one minute, her heart was right as rain. 

Knowledge of the Neiguan point may benefit the brain too. In 2023, Chinese scientists evaluated the functional magnetic resonance images (fMRI) of patients with Alzheimer’s Disease immediately after acupuncture treatment. The researchers reported changes in activity of the cingulate cortex (a brain area involved with emotion, learning, and memory), frontal lobe (an area of the brain that controls executive functions) and cerebellum of treated subjects. Based on this anatomy, they concluded that acupuncture may change the activity in the default mode network (DMN) of the brain.The DMN is a wide network of far-flung neuronal nodes in the neocortex, wired together by white matter (axonal) cables. The DMN is active in the background of your consciousness and is crucial for inner thoughts such as reminiscing and daydreaming. The DMN fires up the cortical areas associated with memory recall or mind-wandering. It becomes especially active when you think about others. When you plan for future events, the DMN constructs an image of the thing or event (a trip to the beach) and helps weigh the pros and cons of your intended course of action. 

Also in 2023, a different group of Chinese scientists studied the effects of acushock (electrical stimulation of acupoints) at the Neiguan and Shiguo points after traumatic brain injury. The scientists enrolled more than eighty patients after mild to moderate head trauma and randomly assigned half of them for treatment. Those who received acushock had laboratory evidence (blood tests) of less brain damage and also enjoyed a better level of cognitive (thinking) function. The scientists concluded that acupuncture may improve the flow of oxygen and nutrients and thus limit the secondary effects of brain injury. 

In 2022, a different group of Chinese scientists studied the effects of acushock in almost a hundred elderly patients undergoing a type of surgery known to induce cognitive decline (surgery on the heart and lungs). The researchers stimulated the Neiguan and Zuslani points in half of the patients (randomly assigned).  Those who received acushock had laboratory evidence (blood tests) of less brain damage and also enjoyed a better level of cognitive (thinking) function. A year prior, this same group of scientists performed a similarly designed study on patients undergoing bowel surgery. Those who were randomly assigned to undergo acushock during surgery enjoyed similar brain protection. From these experiments, the scientists concluded acupuncture may protect against disruptions in the gut-brain axis, which may occur during surgery.

If you’d like to learn more about the brain effects of acupuncture, please read https://brain2mind.substack.com/p/acupuncture-and-brain-circuitry