Although acupuncture has ancient oriental roots, it was only in the 1970s that this technique started gaining momentum in the West, spurring scientific research that linked acupuncture to the relief from various symptoms. Some examples include nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy, chronic pain, muscle pain, and migraine headaches.<\/p>\n
Acupuncture involves inserting needles into specific points on the body to produce positive body responses. Because the nervous system signaling plays a crucial role in this process, there exists a close relationship between acupuncture and the endocannabinoid system. In this post, we will explain this relationship further.<\/p>\n
Em 1997, o National Institute of Health (NIH) reconheceu os efeitos terap\u00eauticos da Acupuntura para certas condi\u00e7\u00f5es, como dores cr\u00f4nicas e<\/span><\/span>sequelas do acidente vascular cerebral (AVC)<\/span><\/span><\/a>. Desde ent\u00e3o, as pesquisas cient\u00edficas na \u00e1rea ganharam maior espa\u00e7o, trazendo perspectivas bastante otimistas para essa pr\u00e1tica terap\u00eautica.<\/p>\n Currently, the most accepted hypothesis by researchers is that the stimulation of acupuncture points activates certain nerves that, in turn, send signals to the brain and spinal cord through different nerve pathways. In addition, this stimulation induces numerous neurological effects, such as pain relief and neuroprotection.<\/p>\n The endocannabinoid system is a collection of receptors, ligands, and enzymes that act as signaling pathways between cells. Endocannabinoid receptors and endocannabinoid substances are distributed throughout the body’s organs and systems, performing different functions to maintain the stability of physiological functions.<\/p>\n Because most of the endocannabinoid receptors in our body are concentrated in the central and peripheral nervous systems, it is understandable that the endocannabinoid system plays an important role in acupuncture, especially by regulating pain perception levels and anti-inflammatory effects of this therapy.<\/p>\n Studies involving acupuncture and pain relief have led scientists to hypothesize the endocannabinoid system as one of the primary mediators, as well as factors regulating the beneficial effects of acupuncture.<\/p>\nHow does acupuncture stimulate the endocannabinoid system?<\/h2>\n