Acupuncture, a form of treatment in traditional Chinese medicine, is the process of inserting slender needles slightly under the skin at various points of the body in order to balance the flow of energy (chi) throughout the body. Traditionally, chi was believed to be blocked in ill people and acupuncture helped get it moving again. Whether you believe in the literal existence of chi or not, acupuncture can nonetheless help keep your brain healthy. Researchers have found that acupuncture can benefit people who are experiencing depression, anxiety, and other brain problems, including insomnia. Some researchers believe that your brain releases feel-good neurotransmitters in reaction to the needles, although there isn’t complete agreement on how acupuncture works. One study showed that people treated with acupuncture had less anxiety and a better memory afterward, as compared to a control group that didn’t undergo acupuncture. For mood disorders, acupuncture can work immediately, unlike prescription drugs or talk therapy. It has few side effects (except for that pesky needles-hurt-going-in part). Acupuncture also shows promise as an aid for alcohol- and other drug-dependency issues, although re- search into this area is preliminary and ongoing. Acupuncture is one of those treatments where the adage “Don’t try this at home!” applies. Instead, seek out a licensed acupuncturist (licensing varies from state to state).
A related practice, acupressure, uses firm touch rather than needles to stimulate the flow of chi throughout the body. It has not been studied as much as acupuncture, but it can be a good place to start if you don’t like the idea of people poking needles into you.