Acupuncture In The Ear, And Weight Loss And Anxiety

It may look like a cool body piercing. But it's actually a weight-loss-cum-mood-enhancing device according to its advocates and followers. Acupuncture in the ear, and weight loss and anxiety treatments have come together in a radical fashion (or lifestyle) statement: ear piercing.

In the last decade or so you've probably seen lots of studs and hoops in other areas of the ear, other than the lobe that is. That's because some people believe that acupuncture in the ear, and weight loss and anxiety or mood swings are associated.

Also called auricular acupuncture, it is even backed by clinical research.

Scientific Evidence: Acupuncture in the Ear and Weight Loss
A study conducted at Australia's University of Adelaide stated acupuncture in the ear and weight loss are related because piercing certain parts of the ear elevates serotonin, which is the brain's chemical messenger that affects appetite and emotions.

Increased serotonin levels have been proven to increase the stomach's muscle tone, which leads to a suppressed appetite.

Low serotonin levels lead to stress, depression, and anxiety disorders (e.g., panic, phobia, etc.). In fact, antidepressants like Prozac are directed at increasing the body's serotonin levels.

Scientific Evidence: Acupuncture in the Ear and Anxiety
Compared to acupuncture in the ear and weight loss, anxiety-related studies appear to be more confirmatory.

A Yale School of Medicine study revealed that ear acupuncture decreases anxiety in adults who are about to undergo outpatient surgery.

Studies reported in the Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology have also shown its therapeutic effect on mood and anxiety disorders as well as the pain associated with cancer.

These studies are by no means limited to the United States. Universities around the world (e.g., France's Institut Gustave Roussy) have conducted similar studies.

But even scientists who have studied acupuncture in the ear, and weight loss and anxiety treatments in a clinical setting are the first to admit that further studies are needed to confirm their findings.

What You Need to Know
Before you run out to have your ears stapled, consider that the practice of acupuncture in the ear, and weight loss and anxiety procedures are far from being sufficiently regulated.

Any kind of piercing puts you at risk of infection, both during the procedure and while you're healing. This is so simply because - aside from the fact that piercing cartilage is a risk - state regulations that cover such procedures are far from strict. A business permit from city hall is hardly an assurance that the person piercing your ear is a qualified professional!

It may seem like such a trivial procedure unlikely to affect your hearing, but whichever way you look at it, piercing through your ear cartilage with a needle is indeed an invasive procedure; and not something you should take lightly.

One more thing, clinical studies on acupuncture in the ear, and weight loss and anxiety have often included exercise and diet components. So rather than getting your ear pierced to control your body mass, health, or mood, it makes better sense to do aerobics, work with weights, and adopt a well balanced diet. This is likely to give you better results without the risk.

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