Source Index
The papers and background sources behind these videos. Each entry tells you what kind of evidence it provides.
Kaptchuk TJ. Acupuncture: theory, efficacy, and practice. Ann Intern Med. 2002;136(5):374–383.
Used for classical concepts, not for current treatment-effectiveness advice.
Used in: Acupuncture: The Classical View
Vickers A, Zollman C. ABC of complementary medicine. Acupuncture. BMJ. 1999;319(7215):973–976.
Background on qi, meridians, and yin and yang.
Used in: Acupuncture: The Classical View
Li S. [Development of the connotation of deficiency and excess and acupuncture reinforcing and reducing theory]. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2018;38(3):309–313.
Supplementary context. The English abstract was checked; the full text was not reviewed.
Used in: Acupuncture: The Classical View
Zhou W, Benharash P. Effects and mechanisms of acupuncture based on the principle of meridians. J Acupunct Meridian Stud. 2014;7(4):190–193.
Provides context for comparing meridians and nerves without treating them as identical.
Used in: Acupuncture: The Classical View
Liu S, Wang Z, Su Y, et al. A neuroanatomical basis for electroacupuncture to drive the vagal–adrenal axis. Nature. 2021;598:641–645.
Tests a specific nerve response to low-intensity electroacupuncture.
Used in: Acupuncture: The Classical View · Acupuncture and Nerve Messages
Liu S, et al. Author Correction: A neuroanatomical basis for electroacupuncture to drive the vagal–adrenal axis. Nature. 2022;601:E9.
Corrects affiliation information; it does not change the reported findings.
Used in: Acupuncture: The Classical View · Acupuncture and Nerve Messages
Langevin HM, Churchill DL, Fox JR, Badger GJ, Garra BS, Krag MH. Biomechanical response to acupuncture needling in humans. J Appl Physiol. 2001;91(6):2471–2478.
Measures needle pullout force, not symptom relief.
Used in: When an Acupuncture Needle Turns
Goldman N, Chen M, Fujita T, et al. Adenosine A1 receptors mediate local anti-nociceptive effects of acupuncture. Nature Neuroscience. 2010;13:883–888.
Studies adenosine and A1 receptors. The caffeine experiments came later.
Fujita T, Feng C, Takano T. Presence of caffeine reversibly interferes with efficacy of acupuncture-induced analgesia. Scientific Reports. 2017;7:3397.
Tests caffeine exposure and withdrawal in mouse pain models.
Cao J, Tu Y, Lang C, et al. Daily Caffeine Consumption Does Not Influence Acupuncture Analgesia in Healthy Individuals: A Preliminary Study. Anesthesia & Analgesia. 2021;132:e6–e9.
Examines habitual caffeine use. This is not a trial of stopping coffee in patients.
Liu K, Cui X, Zhi M, et al. Caffeine Attenuates Electroacupuncture Effect on Pressure Pain Threshold and Tolerance in Healthy Individuals: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Frontiers in Neurology. 2022;13:859624.
Tests coffee versus juice with outcomes from experimental pain tests.
National Cancer Institute. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: Inflammation.
Explains the word inflammation in everyday language.
Used in: Acupuncture and Nerve Messages
Maeda Y, Kim H, Kettner N, et al. Rewiring the primary somatosensory cortex in carpal tunnel syndrome with acupuncture. Brain. 2017;140(4):914–927.
Studies symptoms, nerve signals, and the brain’s touch map.