Suppression of narcotic withdrawals and plasma ACTH by auricular electroacupuncture

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Abstract

Auricular electroacupuncture (AES) has been found to be successful in the suppression of withdrawal symptoms of morphine-addicted mice. In abrupt withdrawals precipited by naloxone, the plasma adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) rises to a high level which can also be effectively suppressed by AES. This elevation of plasma ACTH is not due to naloxone, as naloxone has no effect on the ACTH level in non-addicted mice. The possible physiological effect produced by AES is discussed.

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      In support of this, another randomized controlled trial (RCT) found that the success of acupuncture in reducing cigarette consumption in students was not affected by giving naloxone (which blocks the effect of β-endorphin but not met-enkephalin) [25]. This model was also supported by some isolated laboratory experiments, but not by a sustained research program: auricular EA produced a significant reduction in withdrawal symptoms in rats [26] and in mice [27]. Some studies found that high-frequency EA, which preferentially releases met-enkephalin, was much more effective than low-frequency EA at reducing withdrawal symptoms [8,28].

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    Part of this paper will be presented at the 4th International Conference on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence at Liverpool, England, 9–14 April, 1978.

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