Acupuncture may alleviate depression by simultaneously regulating brain, immune, hormonal, and gut-related processes through multiple protective biological pathways.
The article synthesised clinical and experimental evidence on acupuncture for several forms of depression, including depression after childbirth, stroke-related depression, and adolescent depression. It examined findings from animal models to identify how acupuncture affects the brain, blood-based biological markers, and communication between the brain and gut.
The reviewed evidence suggests that acupuncture influences depression through interconnected anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, and nerve-growth-promoting effects. It may also support neuronal adaptability, regulate chemical messengers in the brain, balance hormonal and immune activity, and alter cellular signalling processes, indicating a broad bidirectional regulatory action rather than a single mechanism.
