Insights on Physiology of Acupuncture and Pain

My notes from Dr. Lundeberg’s lecture are not at all similar to his abstract (Thomas Lundeberg.)  He might have chosen to speak about related topics.
From my notes, he said that for acupuncture to be effective for pain, the stimulus must be strong enough and long enough and in the area of the pain.
The unpleasantness aspect of pain may be targeted by acupuncture.
Fear increases the release of CCK (cholecystokinin) which can decrease action of “off cells” which can lead to pain facilitation.  It also leads to some alteration of the functional activity in the brain.
Neuropeptide Y

• conteracts the stress effect
• enhances extinction
• enhances resilience in fear and stress

Acupuncture has similarities with muscular activity, stimulating neuro peptide y in the hippocampus.  Acupuncture induces extinction but requires repeated sessions. (Copying down my notes here, so not entirely sure what that means.)
He made a big pitch for increasing the use of acupuncture because of rampant drug side effects, and the trace residues of all manner of medications in ground water and sea life making a joke about the fish we were all eating in Stockholm having Prozac in it…