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Acupuncture and the Science of Weight Loss: How Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Medicine

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I recently came across an article online (see below) that drew my attention. Some of our patients are on Ozempic® for weight loss, many of them are looking for alternative so they don't have to stay on the medication for an extended period of time. They often find acupuncture being a great complementary therapy whether they are on medication or not.


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If you notice the TV ads recently, you may see the weight loss medication flourished the market like GLP-1 medications like semaglutide (Ozempic®, Wegovy®) and liraglutide (Saxenda®). These medications have been making headlines for their ability to help people lose weight by reducing appetite, slowing digestion, and improving blood sugar control.


But here’s something you may not know: research is showing that acupuncture may influence many of the same pathways in the body (wow!) particularly the gut–brain connection that these medications target. That means acupuncture could play an important role in supporting healthy weight loss, whether or not you’re taking a GLP-1 medication.


What Is GLP-1 and Why Does It Matter for Weight Loss?

GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone your body naturally produces in the gut. After you eat, GLP-1 helps:

  • Tell your brain you’re full (reducing appetite)

  • Slow the emptying of food from your stomach (helping you feel satisfied longer)

  • Balance blood sugar by stimulating insulin and reducing excess glucose release


A 2024 review published in Neurology explains how GLP-1 works not just in digestion, but also in the nervous system, influencing appetite, energy balance, and even brain health1.


Where Acupuncture Fits In

While GLP-1 medications work through synthetic versions of the hormone, acupuncture may naturally encourage your body’s own appetite and metabolism-regulating signals. Studies suggest that acupuncture, especially electroacupuncture, can:

  1. Enhance GLP-1 activity in the brain – Animal studies have found that acupuncture can increase GLP-1 levels in specific brain regions linked to appetite control2.

  2. Balance hunger hormones – Acupuncture can help reduce leptin (linked to overeating when too high) and adjust ghrelin (the “hunger hormone”) for better appetite regulation3.

  3. Support blood sugar and metabolism – Research shows improvements in insulin sensitivity, cholesterol, and triglycerides after regular acupuncture treatments4.

  4. Soothe the digestive system – By influencing the vagus nerve and gut motility, acupuncture can help reduce nausea, constipation, and other digestive changes sometimes experienced during weight loss5.


Acupuncture as a Partner to Your Weight Loss Plan

If you’re working on weight loss — whether naturally, through lifestyle changes, or alongside a GLP-1 prescription — acupuncture can be a safe, supportive therapy to:

  • Reduce appetite and cravings

  • Improve energy levels and mood

  • Ease medication side effects like nausea

  • Support long-term healthy habits


A Typical Weight Loss Acupuncture Program

At our clinic, weight loss acupuncture usually involves:

  • 2 sessions per week for the first 2–4 weeks, then once weekly for another 6–8 weeks

  • Use of points like ST36 (Zusanli), SP6 (Sanyinjiao), CV12 (Zhongwan), and ear points for appetite control

  • Optional electroacupuncture for added metabolic support

  • Integration with lifestyle recommendations for diet, movement, and stress reduction


Modern research into GLP-1 signaling is giving scientists new insight into how the gut and brain work together to regulate appetite and metabolism. What’s exciting is that acupuncture — a therapy that’s been practiced for thousands of years — may activate some of these same biological pathways.

Whether you’re considering GLP-1 medication, already on it, or simply want a natural boost for your weight loss journey, acupuncture can be a valuable partner in your plan.

References

  1. Turcano P, Savica R, Benarroch E. What Is the Role of Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Signaling in the Nervous System, and How Can This Be Used in Neurology? Neurology. 2024;103(1):23-33. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000209781 ↩

  2. Liu S, et al. Electroacupuncture elevates GLP-1 in hypothalamic nuclei and reduces food intake in obese rats. Neuropeptides. 2015;54:47-53. ↩

  3. Sui Y, et al. Effects of acupuncture on leptin and ghrelin in obesity: a systematic review. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:1-11. ↩

  4. Cui Z, et al. Acupuncture improves insulin resistance in obese patients: a randomized controlled trial. J Tradit Chin Med. 2018;38(4):529-535. ↩

  5. Lee A, Fan LT. Stimulation of the wrist acupuncture point P6 for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(11):CD003281. ↩


 
 
 

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