Acupuncture Points for Anhedonia

4 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

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Points cited for Anhedonia

How often each point appears across the 4 entries ranked highest for Anhedonia. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • GV20100 ConvergencesGoverning Vessel3 of 4
  • LV03Great SurgeLiver Meridian3 of 4
  • SP06Three Yin IntersectionSpleen Meridian3 of 4
  • CV04Original Qi GateConception Vessel2 of 4
  • CV06Sea Of QiConception Vessel2 of 4
  • CV12Stomach CentreConception Vessel2 of 4
  • GV24Spirit CourtGoverning Vessel2 of 4
  • XH01AFour Spirit BrightnessExtra Points: Head2 of 4
  • XH01BFour Spirit BrightnessExtra Points: Head2 of 4
  • XH01CFour Spirit BrightnessExtra Points: Head2 of 4
  • XH01DFour Spirit BrightnessExtra Points: Head2 of 4
  • BL15Heart Shu PointBladder Meridian1 of 4

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (6 points)

100%

ST24 · KD17 · CV04 · CV06 · CV10 · CV12

Point 1 of 6

ST24Slippery Flesh Gate

ST24 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 滑肉門 (huá ròu mén)

🎯 Location: 1 thumb width above the umbilicus 2 thumb widths lateral to the CV09.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in pregnancy.

🛡️ Treats: Phlegm, Depression, Vomiting, Upper Stomach Pain, Vomiting Blood

Study-reported

Needling · a 8-week course

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2016.09.014 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. CV04, CV06, CV12 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.2147/JIR.S436907 ↗

Protocol (9 points)

100%

LI04 · SP06 · HT07 · PC06 · LV03 · CV04 · CV06 · CV12 · GV20

Point 1 of 9

LI04Junction Valley

LI04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 合谷 (hé gǔ)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the hand between 1st & 2nd metacarpal bones approximately in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side.

⚠️ Cautions: Traditionally forbidden in pregnancy – these are the points used to bring on labour at term. Controlled data show no excess of preterm birth or stillbirth (Carr 2015), but in pregnancy needle only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Tinnitus, Release Exterior, Absent Periods, Wind

Study-reported

Needling · 16 sessions over 8 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.2147/JIR.S436907 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. CV04, CV06, CV12 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2016.09.014 ↗

Protocol (8 points)

100%

SP06 · LV03 · GV20 · GV24 · XH01A · XH01B · XH01C · XH01D

Point 1 of 8

SP06Three Yin Intersection

SP06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 三陰交 (sān yīn jiāo)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths directly above the tip of the medial malleolus posterior to the medial border of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: Traditionally forbidden in pregnancy – these are the points used to bring on labour at term. Controlled data show no excess of preterm birth or stillbirth (Carr 2015), but in pregnancy needle only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Palpitations, Abdominal Bloating

Study-reported

Needling · 12 sessions over 4 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1779004 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. SP06, LV03, GV20 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.2147/JIR.S436907 ↗

Protocol (10 points)

100%

SP06 · BL15 · BL17 · LV03 · GV20 · GV24 · XH01A · XH01B · XH01C · XH01D

Point 1 of 10

SP06Three Yin Intersection

SP06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 三陰交 (sān yīn jiāo)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths directly above the tip of the medial malleolus posterior to the medial border of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: Traditionally forbidden in pregnancy – these are the points used to bring on labour at term. Controlled data show no excess of preterm birth or stillbirth (Carr 2015), but in pregnancy needle only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Palpitations, Abdominal Bloating

Study-reported

Needling + Bloodletting + Cupping · a 4-week course

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1779004 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. SP06, LV03, GV20 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.2147/JIR.S436907 ↗
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How the studies delivered it

What the 3 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling3 of 3

Course: the 3 studies that gave a length ran a median of 8 weeks (middle half 6 weeks to 8 weeks).

After a treatment: what large safety surveys recorded, and which reactions need a doctor.

Disclaimer: The acupoint information provided is for educational purposes only.