For those of you who've been to Acupuncture Happy Hour, you know that the ear points have a profound effect on the nervous system and the bodymind. Well, a 2007 study published in The American Journal of Chinese Medicine backs up that claim with scientific evidence. One of the points that I use in Happy Hour is called Shenmen and it's effect on heart rate, pulse rate and blood pressure are measured. The study shows that the point can calm the mind, slow down the heart rate and activate the parasympathetic nerves. But... we already knew that...

http://www.worldscinet.com/ajcm/35/3502/S0192415X0700476X.html