Feinstein, D. · Frontiers in Psychology · 2025
Narrative review synthesizing two decades of research on acupoint tapping: consistent positive clinical outcomes with notable speed and durability; neurobiological evidence that tapping modulates limbic and executive brain regions; biomarker shifts (cortisol, immune markers, gene expression) tracking clinical improvement; dismantling studies indicating acupoint stimulation is an active, non-placebo component; and a proposed stepwise physiological cascade from tapping to symptom relief via memory reconsolidation.
Directly answers the 'it's just placebo' objection with the dismantling-study evidence and a concrete physiological pathway.
Second citable pillar for the mechanisms page alongside Schwarz & Stapleton 2026: covers the physiological side (biomarkers, brain modulation, dismantling evidence, memory reconsolidation cascade).
| Design | Biology / mechanism |
|---|---|
| Population | N/A (narrative review synthesizing 200+ clinical trials, meta-analyses, biomarker and dismantling studies) |
| Journal | Frontiers in Psychology |
| Year | 2025 |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Method | EFT / Tapping |
| Publication type | Review or meta-analysis |
| Verification | ✓ Confirmed against the primary source |
Feinstein, D. (2025). How tapping works: physiological and psychological mechanisms in energy psychology. Frontiers in Psychology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1660375
This record is part of the Tapping Evidence Base — an openly-sourced, fully-referenced directory of the research on EFT/Tapping. Explore more studies on How It Works (Biology)
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