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Acupuncture and Longevity

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As an acupuncture physician, I am keen to share emerging research that highlights the profound influence of mental health on longevity. Growing evidence suggests that psychological well-being not only shapes the risk of chronic disease and cognitive decline but also plays a pivotal role in the ageing process.

A study in BMJ Mental Health underscores how stress, anxiety, and depression accelerate harmful biological mechanisms, whereas psychological resilience acts as a safeguard against premature ageing. Acupuncture is increasingly recognised as an effective approach to strengthening mental resilience and preserving cognitive function, offering a holistic means of fostering long-term well-being.

Research indicates that acupuncture modulates key neural networks involved in emotional processing, mitigates neuroinflammation, and enhances neuroplasticity. A study in Nature Communications found that electroacupuncture prevents astrocytic atrophy in the prefrontal cortex, thereby alleviating depressive symptoms.

Similarly, research published in Translational Psychiatry suggests that acupuncture reduces inflammation in the hippocampus — a region essential for memory and emotional regulation — thereby enhancing stress resilience.

Further insights reveal acupuncture’s influence on the cortico-striatal circuit, a critical pathway in mood regulation. Studies indicate that patients with depression who undergo acupuncture treatment exhibit improved neural activity in this region, contributing to emotional stability and psychological equilibrium.

Additionally, acupuncture stimulates the release of serotonin and dopamine — neurotransmitters associated with well-being — while simultaneously lowering cortisol levels, a hormone closely linked to stress and the ageing process.

These findings reinforce acupuncture as a powerful tool for promoting mental resilience and cognitive longevity. By modulating neurobiological mechanisms, this time-honoured practice offers a valuable means of supporting healthy ageing and emotional well-being.

References

Steptoe, A. (2024). Mental health as the main determinant of longevity: A review of the literature. BMJ Mental Health, 27(1), e301064.

Liu, C. H., et al. (2023). Electroacupuncture prevents astrocyte atrophy in the prefrontal cortex, alleviating depressive behaviours. Nature Communications, 14, 3452.

Zhang, Y., et al. (2019). Electroacupuncture alleviates anxiety- and depression-like behaviours induced by chronic stress through reducing neuroinflammation in the hippocampus. Translational Psychiatry, 9(1), 271.

Yang, W., et al. (2024). Acupuncture modulates cortico-striatal connectivity in major depressive disorder. Translational Psychiatry, 14(1), 84.
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