tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142743152971096915.post3014951604639149283..comments2023-10-05T04:44:25.174-05:00Comments on Addiction Inbox: Acupuncture for Addiction: It Doesn't Look GoodDirk Hansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07429793255785560043noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142743152971096915.post-6009525332343430032011-11-02T10:23:31.207-05:002011-11-02T10:23:31.207-05:00I seriously doubt any U.S. publication would come ...I seriously doubt any U.S. publication would come out and give anyone the "hard evidence" on this subject, DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE FDA, AND DRUG COMPANIES MAKING BILLIONS OFF METHOD 1, OR EVEN WORSE SUBOXONE.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142743152971096915.post-37921292313318895642011-01-01T00:57:12.064-06:002011-01-01T00:57:12.064-06:00yes, e-mail response if you have one.yes, e-mail response if you have one.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08553882896290145134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142743152971096915.post-61678511376348771352011-01-01T00:47:22.374-06:002011-01-01T00:47:22.374-06:00I agree completely. All one can conclude from thi...I agree completely. All one can conclude from this study is that ear clips are just as effective or ineffective as needles. <br /><br />I am a licensed acupuncturist and I happen to use ear seeds (tiny seeds affixed to adhesive tape which stimulate points on the ear) all the time in lieu of needles, because they can stay in for a few days and are really effective. I call it the 'to go' treatment.<br /><br />And what was the nature of the ear clips exactly?<br /><br />And by the way, the ear is pretty much covered in acupuncture points, it is a continuum of points really, so any application of clips, needles, seeds, etc. on the ear is going to stimulate acupuncture points. Furthermore, I believe there is already research that demonstrates a systemic effect of acupuncture which does not depend on the points selected. In 1997 the NIH released research on acupuncture that stated one of the side effects of acupuncture is 'a feeling of well being'. It was a big joke at the conference because it was listed as a side effect, and typically side effects are unwanted effects. But researchers didn't know how to categorize it. Anyway, I suspect that this 'feeling of well being' is actually some kind of endorphin release or subtle effect on neurotransmitters in the brain. So I suspect that in general acupuncture is good for addiction no matter which points are used because of these subtle effects on the brain, which in turn curb cravings, induce a state of relaxation, reduce irritability etc.<br /><br />Obviously, a more skilled practitioner can create different effects through point selection, needle stimulation, number of needles used and duration and frequency of treatment. And that is generally an individualized treatment, which is really hard to study scientifically. <br /><br />But I love your blog and your articles. Thank you for all the interesting information on addiction.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08553882896290145134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142743152971096915.post-62310562038974977052010-04-12T03:41:41.174-05:002010-04-12T03:41:41.174-05:00This article made me feel sad. Not because they ar...This article made me feel sad. Not because they are saying that acupuncture doesn't work for addiction, but because they are giving out false information. I am currently 18 months clean from an opiate addiction, yes I went to rehab and I had relapsed many times until I got acupuncture. It has done wonders for me and has given me the will power and serenity and calmness in my head I need. The "sham" is this article. I also believe that they should have done a control group any true scientist knows an experiment has to have one to even prove anything. What I truely believe that I had to have to right help to get through my withdrawl process and then get acupuncture to help me with the cravings and keep me clean and thanks to acupuncture I am 18 months clean and it is a miracle!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142743152971096915.post-75879421700079081592009-08-29T11:08:23.074-05:002009-08-29T11:08:23.074-05:00this study was carried out on patients being treat...this study was carried out on patients being treated with methadone.i dont know how many people know this but methadone is a sham itself. compare the height of withdrawal symptoms of heroin (72 hours)with methadone (3 weeks).why are opiate addicts given a drug which is harder to come off than heroin itself? im EA qualified but pretty skeptical generally. i have WATCHED PEOPLE IMPROVE with EA. ive seen people destroyed by methadone.more long term studies are needed as the world of drug recovery is a chaotic one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142743152971096915.post-40491768248211672142009-07-07T10:32:28.672-05:002009-07-07T10:32:28.672-05:00"Why did the study not compare the group rece..."Why did the study not compare the group receiving acupuncture, both "sham" and the presumably authentic protocol against a control group that received no ear manipulation whatsoever?"<br />-----------<br /><br />A valid criticism. I wish more studies incorporated that "third arm" you have suggested.Dirk Hansonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07429793255785560043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142743152971096915.post-58537198174310023912009-07-07T10:25:25.608-05:002009-07-07T10:25:25.608-05:00The added thoughts at the end regarding the potent...The added thoughts at the end regarding the potential attractor quality of acupuncture suggest one explanation for why there is so much testimony supporting the effectiveness of ear acupuncture in treating addiction.<br />There are ways of designing studies to test such hypotheses. Additionally, there are other reasons why this study may not be the final word. The assumption is that "sham acupuncture" is ineffective. Why did the study not compare the group receiving acupuncture, both "sham" and the presumably authentic protocol against a control group that received no ear manipulation whatsoever? A higher success rate for the broader acupuncture group would be suggestive and would demand further, clarifying studies. An absence of any success differential would also be illustrative.<br />"Science" demands thoughtful questions and clear studies. Otherwise we can "prove" anything any old way...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com