It’s funny too, because research doctors have been finding systems in the body that we didn’t know about until very recently. I have no doubt that there are treatments like acupuncture that interact with these or other systems that we’re currently unaware of. Heck, even gut bacteria affects the brain!

and traditional chinese medicine have known for years the connection between gut and mental health. ex) fecal transfer is recently being studied again

and its funny that people also throw in their subtle racially driven Western exceptionalism as if its civilization is totally healthy and isn't addicted to substances and magic pills.

People don't respect traditional Chinese medicine because it's not rigorous enough.

Modern Chinese research is well regarded though.

With acupuncture if there's effects beyond placebo, could it be endorphins or similar mainly or do you think there's merit to the meridian system etc?

Because endorphins can clearly relieve pain, and acupuncture definitely seems something that could make endorphins release.

> I cannot explain the number of times the arguments I've had with coworkers with acupuncture.

Tell them it helps with blood flow. The needles stimulate the body to bring more blood to a specific area, which can help with certain issues like pain. It's not mysterious.