THE LIMBIC SYSTEM, WHERE THE MIND, BODY, SOULINTERACT (AND WHAT THE HECK IS THE DEFAULT MODE NETWORK AND HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE AFFECT IT?)

摘要

The past 30 years has seen an explosion in research in the physiology of acupuncture from all regions of the world. Much of the research has focused on the response of the nervous system to acupuncture. This is an extremely difficult system to study due to the vast number and variability of transmitters and reflexes involved. Through advances in the technology of neurologic studies, acupuncture is gaining enormous credibility in the medical world and today many of the world's top medical institutionsare actively involved in further study and employment of this ancient art. I wish to cover some of the highlights of the evolving understanding of acupuncture by looking esp. at one relatively recent discovery - its effects on the limbic system in the brain and associated responses.