Research Says Yes.
Acupuncture works for depression by aiming to resolve the cause as well as the symptoms. There is no one on Earth that doesn’t feel worried or sad when life throws certain situations our way, but the constant feeling of heaviness from emotions daily for months on end is indicative that you may have depression or be in a depressive episode. Now, more than ever, many are fighting overwhelming feelings of sadness, anxiety, and helplessness with financial struggles among other things. Fortunately, especially in the last decade or so, acupuncture is regularly recommended by western medicine doctors to mitigate many mental health issues including depression.
Recognizing Depression
Depression is a significant mental health issue which can affect one’s emotions, thoughts, mood, daily life, and even ability to work negatively. Usually, depression is diagnosed if symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks, and it can affect someone not only mentally but physically.
Signs and Symptoms of Depression:
- Difficulty sleeping – can be too much or too little
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- Consistent feelings of sadness or emptiness
- Decreased interest in activities the person once enjoyed
- Decrease in energy or fatigue
- Feelings of guilt or worthlessness for no obvious reason
- Inability to concentrate
- Noteworthy weight gain or loss that is unexplained
- Low mood
- Increased irritability
- Reckless behavior
- Decreased libido
- Thoughts of suicide in more serious cases
- Physical symptoms like headache, back pain, and digestive issues
- Changes in eating habits or appetite
There are also signs or symptoms that are unique to a person’s age or gender. For example, depression in women, which are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression, due to hormonal issues. The same can be said about teens experiencing depression, but the problem is that since this can be the case, doesn’t mean it is the case. Many times, this is why depression in women and teens can often be overlooked or swept aside as “normal” when in fact there is a serious mental health problem.
Although many speculate at the cause of depression, there is no one set answer pinpointed in medicine as to the cause, and therefore there is no one set treatment that aids in treating it. There are many reasons that can potentially cause depression to develop, but it is not known how there are some people who are diagnosed with depression and those who deal with the same issues and avoid the diagnosis.
Possible Causes of Depression:
- Bereavement
- Chronic illness
- Loneliness
- Stressful life problems like financial issues or relationship problems
- Trauma or abuse especially at a young age
- Brain chemistry
- Hormonal changes such as with pregnancy or thyroid issues
- Genetics
Depression is also not something that is put into one box, and each type of depression has different classifications of severity, duration, thought patterns, and emotions.
Types of Depression:
- Manic Depression or Bipolar – this type of depression is trademarked by radical changes in their mood or energy occurring over longer or shorter periods of time.
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – this type of depression is trademarked with depression symptoms felt at specific times of the year. These feelings are felt more often during the winter months, but can happen any time of the year.
- Major or Clinical Depression – this type of depression is what most people think of when they think of depression and that is feeling depression symptoms for longer than 2 weeks.
- Postpartum Depression – this type of depression is depression that is experienced in the months following giving birth, and is often known as the “baby blues”.
- Persistent Depressive Disorder – this type of depression is often known as high functioning depression as these people often put on a good front but feel persistent sadness and a pessimistic outlook.
- Atypical Depression – this type of depression is very common and is marked by a pattern of depressive symptoms which goes on and off for years.
There are also several other less common type of depression like psychotic depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, situational depression, and disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. In conventional medicine, these various symptoms are often treated with anti-depressants, and there are various types and brands out there. The type prescribed can depend on each person and any other conditions that the person may have. The problem is that while anti-depressants can help some people, for others they either don’t help or the side effects are so severe that it’s trading one issue for another or even compound with the dissatisfaction they were already feeling with life.
Side Effects of Anti-Depressants:
- Weight gain
- Dry mouth
- Headaches/migraines
- Insomnia
- Sexual dysfunction
- Nausea
- Brain fog/dizziness
- Skin rashes
This is why, along with fighting the opioid epidemic, many conventional medicine doctors are recommending acupuncture treatment to aid in mental health problems. Acupuncture works for both chronic and acute depression, and allow many people to decrease medication and manage side effects or come off of the medication completely.
Acupuncture for Depression
Acupuncture works for stimulating the nervous system that release endorphins and serotonin, and decrease the production of cortisol in the body. Essentially, acupuncture treats depression by regulating various components in the nervous system and brain that all contribute to depression.
Acupuncture Works By Regulating:
- Opioid receptors and opioid peptides (involved in the central and peripheral nervous system involved in pain modulation, response to stress, and reward)
- Neurotransmitters
- Hippocampus – this area of the brain can diminish in those with depression
- Neuroinflammation – can be caused by autoimmune issues or traumatic brain injury
- Neuroendocrine system & HPA axis – these can affect bodily function
Acupuncture treatment will target specific points on the body to boost circulation and the release of feel-good hormones. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, depression results from both chemical and environmental factors. Due to the ever-changing knowledge surrounding depression and various diagnosis, utilizing acupuncture treatment for depression is essential as individualized treatments is the main part of treatment. Depression is multi-faceted and complicated requiring a comprehensive treatment that acupuncture offers.
Acupuncture for Depression Works By:
- Stimulating the area of the brain that is responsible for decreasing pain and stress, and switching off the amygdala responsible for worry forcing the body to relax.
- Altering how various areas of the brain communicate with each other by increasing resting brain activity which is dysfunctional with depression.
- Decreasing pain which can often be a main factor in those who have chronic illnesses who have developed depression.
- Changing the brain chemistry, and increase serotonin and endorphin production (these are the hormones that encourage feelings of wellbeing).
Research suggests that acupuncture is as effective or potentially more effective than anti-depressant medications.
Research on Acupuncture for Depression:
- Effect of Acupuncture on Physical Symptoms and Quality of Life in Treatment-Resistant Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder, 2022:
- This study found acupuncture to improve “psychiatric symptoms but also physical symptoms and QoL (quality of life) in patients with treatment-resistant mood disorders.”
- This study found acupuncture to improve “psychiatric symptoms but also physical symptoms and QoL (quality of life) in patients with treatment-resistant mood disorders.”
- Efficacy and Safety of Acupuncture for Depression, 2023:
- This study found electroacupuncture along with anti-depressants achieved significant outcomes. Acupuncture alone or in conjunction with pharmaceutical interventions is considered a beneficial and safe option for managing depression.
- This study found electroacupuncture along with anti-depressants achieved significant outcomes. Acupuncture alone or in conjunction with pharmaceutical interventions is considered a beneficial and safe option for managing depression.
- Efficacy and Safety of Auricular Acupuncture for Depression, 2023:
- This study found that auricular (ear) acupuncture had “greater symptom remission at 3 months.”
- This study found that auricular (ear) acupuncture had “greater symptom remission at 3 months.”
- Efficacy of Acupuncture for Depression, 2024:
- This study found acupuncture to be effective as an individual treatment for depression. After 4 weeks of acupuncture treatment alone, there were fewer adverse outcomes and side effects in the acupuncture group than anti-depressants alone.
Depression affects 5% of adults globally with the highest prevalence being among those adults aged 18 – 25 years old. Even more frightening of a statistic is that suicide ranks number 11 as cause of death, and reached 49,476 deaths in 2022. Acupuncture is an effective and applicable treatment option for depression whether alone or in conjunction with standard treatments. Acupuncture offers a well-rounded modality that addresses not only the emotional issues surrounding depression, but also any imbalances in the body. Around 39% of adults have major depressive episodes, and are not receiving treatment. Acupuncture treatment can help mitigate issues with depression, and possibly help save a life.
*If you or someone you love is experiencing severe depression, medical, or mental health emergency, it is vital to call 911. If you or someone you love is not in an emergency situation, but needs immediate help with depression symptoms escalating, there are many sources to contact:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255
- Trevor Project for LGBTQ+ individuals – 1-866-488-7386
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) – 1-800-662-4357
- Suicide and Crisis Lifeline – Dial 988