*3D rendering of human dural lymphatics (curtesy of elifesciences.org)*

Recent scientific breakthroughs regarding the brain’s lymphatic system offer a new perspective on how we might treat and prevent neurological diseases through neuro-acupuncture.

For a long time, scientists knew the body used a lymphatic system to filter toxins and fight infections, but they hadn't found a similar system for the brain until 2017. Researchers at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke discovered that lymphatic vessels are actually embedded in the dura mater, the tough, leathery membrane that protects the brain. This is a major find because brain cells produce metabolic waste just like any other cell, and a failure in this "drainage system" may be linked to neurodegenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS).

This discovery also explains the biological mechanism behind neuro-acupuncture. When acupuncture pins are inserted into the scalp, they must pass through the dura mater to stimulate the area. Even before the treatment reaches the underlying brain cells, it stimulates the brain's lymphatic system located in that membrane. By doing so, neuro-acupuncture likely helps the brain remove waste products and boosts its immune functions, which can be a key factor in treating inflammatory brain conditions.