by Dr. Alex Heyne Contributor

PTSD and Psychosis: How Traditional Chinese Medicine Supports Mental Health Recovery

PTSD and psychosis are two complex mental health conditions that often present unique challenges for both patients and providers. Current treatments typically include SSRIs, antipsychotics, and various forms of psychotherapy, which can provide relief for many individuals. However, these options are not universally effective—treatment resistance, significant side effects, and limited response rates remain pressing concerns.

This blog statement explores how Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) may provide additional support for PTSD, psychosis, and overall mental health by addressing underlying imbalances through a holistic mind–body framework.

Table of Contents

Understanding PTSD and Psychosis
How Can TCM Help with PTSD and Psychosis Recovery
1. Acupuncture
  1. Acupuncture for PTSD and Psychosis: Scientific Evidence
2. Herbal Medicine
  1. Herbal Medicine for PTSD and Psychosis: Scientific Evidence
Integrative Care: TCM and Conventional Psychiatry
TCM Benefits for PTSD and Psychosis Recovery
Conclusion

Understanding PTSD and Psychosis

From a biomedical perspective, both PTSD and psychosis can be understood as disorders of disrupted brain and body regulation.

PTSD is often linked to stress-response dysregulation, particularly within the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which governs how the body reacts to stress. This dysregulation contributes to symptoms like hyperarousal, intrusive memories, and avoidance.

Key Term: PTSD stands for persistent re experiencing, avoidance, hyperarousal

In contrast, psychosis is typically associated with dopamine and glutamate imbalances as well as abnormal brain connectivity, which underlie hallucinations, delusions, and impaired reality testing.

Together, these insights reflect how disruptions in key neurobiological systems can manifest as complex psychiatric conditions.

From the lens of TCM, PTSD and psychosis are explained through patterns of disharmony within the body’s organ systems and energy pathways. For instance:

PTSD is often attributed to:
- Liver Qi stagnation, which reflects blocked emotional flow and tension.
- Heart–Shen disturbance, leading to restlessness, insomnia, and intrusive memories.
Psychosis may be seen as:
- Phlegm misting the mind, clouding perception and leading to hallucinations or confusion.
- Kidney Yin deficiency affecting the Shen (mind/spirit), resulting in instability, agitation, and disconnection from reality.

By comparing these frameworks, we can see how biomedical and TCM perspectives converge on the idea that PTSD and psychosis involve disruptions in both physiological systems and the mind–body connection, albeit described through different languages of medicine.

How Can TCM Help with PTSD and Psychosis Recovery

TCM interventions offer a range of supportive therapies that complement biomedical approaches by addressing both the physical and energetic imbalances underlying PTSD, psychosis, and broader mental health concerns.

Each modality targets different pathways to restore regulation and harmony in the mind–body system.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been increasingly studied for its impact on mental health, particularly in conditions involving chronic stress and dysregulation of the nervous system.

By stimulating specific meridian points, acupuncture not only restores energetic balance from a TCM perspective but also exerts the following measurable neurobiological effects:

Stress-Response Regulation: Helps normalize the HPA axis, reducing excessive cortisol release and mitigating hyperarousal, insomnia, and intrusive symptoms common in PTSD.
Neurotransmitter Modulation: Influences serotonin, dopamine, and GABA pathways, which are critical for mood regulation and reality testing in psychosis.
Brain Network Effects: Neuroimaging studies suggest acupuncture alters connectivity in brain regions associated with fear processing, memory, and emotional regulation (e.g., amygdala and prefrontal cortex).

Key Takeaway: Altogether, patients often report improved sleep, reduced anxiety, calmer mood, and fewer intrusive or racing thoughts after consistent acupuncture treatments.

Acupuncture for PTSD and Psychosis: Scientific Support

A 2013 systematic review/meta-analysis on acupuncture for PTSD shows encouraging—but not conclusive—evidence of symptom improvement.

Results were mixed: one strong trial showed acupuncture worked better than no treatment and was about as effective as CBT; another found no difference compared to antidepressants; a third suggested acupuncture plus CBT worked better than CBT alone; and a meta-analysis showed acupuncture with moxibustion outperformed antidepressants in some areas.

Similarly, a 2024 randomized clinical trial involving veterans found that true acupuncture produced greater PTSD symptom reduction versus sham. A clinical trial tested real acupuncture against sham acupuncture in 93 combat veterans with PTSD. Participants received up to 24 sessions over 15 weeks.

Results showed that real acupuncture led to a larger reduction in PTSD symptoms compared to sham, with a moderate effect size favoring acupuncture. It also improved fear extinction (the ability to “unlearn” fear responses), which was linked to symptom improvement.

Both groups showed benefits, but real acupuncture worked better. Withdrawal rates were low, suggesting it was well-tolerated.

Moreover, a 2023 research in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience reported that acupuncture may influence brain structure, pathways, and neuroendocrine function relevant to PTSD. Researchers analyzed 8 meta-analyses, 56 acupoint studies, and 33 mechanistic studies published between 2012 and 2022.

The results showed acupuncture outperformed both medication and psychotherapy in reducing PTSD symptoms and improving quality of life. The most common acupoint used was GV20 (on the top of the head). Mechanism studies suggest acupuncture works by regulating brain structures, balancing the neuroendocrine system, and influencing key signaling pathways.

Herbal Medicine

Herbal formulations in TCM are designed to target both the root imbalance and the manifesting symptoms, making them particularly relevant for complex mental health disorders. Rather than prescribing single herbs, formulas combine synergistic ingredients to restore harmony across multiple organ systems.

Shugan Jieyu Capsule (containing Hypericum perforatum and Acanthopanax senticosus) is traditionally used to soothe Liver Qi stagnation, addressing irritability, anger, and emotional constraint. It calms the Heart–Shen, helping reduce restlessness, insomnia, and agitation.

Consider This: Modern studies suggest Shugan Jieyu Capsule gives antidepressant-like effects via serotonin reuptake modulation and neuroprotective properties, making it particularly promising for mood-related symptoms of PTSD.

Here are some other common herbal strategies to help treat PTSD and Psychosis:

Phlegm-resolving formulas to clear “Phlegm misting the mind,” reducing confusion, delusional thought, and mental cloudiness.
Kidney Yin–nourishing herbs (e.g., Rehmannia, Schisandra) to anchor the Shen and stabilize fear, paranoia, or agitation.
Adaptogenic herbs like Acanthopanax or Astragalus to regulate stress resilience and reduce fatigue.

Compared to pharmacological interventions, herbal medicine often carries fewer side effects and can be adjusted to the patient’s constitution, making it a flexible and individualized therapy.

Herbal Medicine for PTSD and Psychosis: Scientific Support

A July 2025 review of 8 randomized controlled trials with 765 patients looked at using Shugan Jieyu Capsule together with Escitalopram to treat late-life depression.

The results showed the combination therapy significantly improved overall treatment effectiveness, lowered depression (HAMD) and anxiety (HAMA) scores, and increased serotonin (5-HT) levels compared to Escitalopram alone.

Importantly, it did not increase side effects—in fact, adverse reactions were fewer in the combined treatment group.

Another study from 2023 compared Shugan Jieyu Capsule to St. John’s wort (another herbal intervention) in patients with somatic-depression showed comparable efficacy—and possibly better benefit in male patients.

Furthermore, a review of 9 randomized controlled trials examined the use of Shugan Jieyu Capsule (SJC) for depression in people with epilepsy. The results showed SJC improved depression symptoms more than antidepressants or antiepileptic drugs alone, and it was also linked to a reduction in seizure frequency.

Quality of life scores were higher in the SJC group, and when added to standard antiepileptic drugs, it further improved mood symptoms. Side effects were fewer with SJC, though not statistically significant.

Integrative Care: TCM + Conventional Psychiatry

Evidence shows that combining TCM therapies with conventional care can enhance both treatment outcomes and patient adherence, offering a more comprehensive approach to complex mental health conditions.

In psychosis, integration may involve pairing antipsychotic medications with acupuncture or herbal formulas to help reduce side effects such as insomnia, agitation, or metabolic disturbances, while also improving overall stability of the Shen (mind/spirit).

For depression, TCM practices like herbal medicine (e.g., Shugan Jieyu Capsule), acupuncture, and mind–body exercises such as Tai Chi or Qi Gong can complement SSRIs and psychotherapy by regulating stress pathways, improving mood, and increasing resilience, which may in turn boost adherence to ongoing treatment plans.

TCM Benefits for PTSD and Psychosis Recovery

Integrating TCM with conventional mental health care offers several unique advantages that go beyond symptom suppression.

For individuals with PTSD, therapies such as acupuncture and herbal medicine may ease anxiety, hypervigilance, and insomnia, while those with psychosis may experience reduced distress from hallucinations or agitation when TCM is used alongside standard treatment.

Beyond symptom relief, TCM places strong emphasis on emotional regulation through the balance of the Shen(mind/spirit) and the coordination of mind–body practices. Techniques like Tai Chi and Qi Gong encourage resilience, grounding, and greater stability in emotional responses to stress.

Another important advantage is safety and tolerability. Compared to pharmaceuticals, many TCM therapies tend to produce fewer and milder side effects, which can improve adherence and make treatment more sustainable over time.

Finally, TCM introduces a holistic healing framework that empowers patients to take an active role in their recovery. This includes:

Lifestyle integration through diet and movement.
Stress management practices that promote balance.
A focus on long-term self-care rather than short-term symptom suppression.

Conclusion

PTSD and psychosis are complex, multifaceted conditions that demand integrated therapeutic strategies rather than one-size-fits-all solutions.

Important Takeaway: While Traditional Chinese Medicine should not replace conventional mental health treatment, it can serve as a powerful complement, offering additional avenues of support through evidence-supported tools such as acupuncture, herbal formulas, mind–body practices, and dietary therapy.

These approaches can enhance recovery, improve emotional balance, and contribute to a better quality of life when thoughtfully combined with standard care. As always, readers are encouraged to consult qualified healthcare professionals—both biomedical and TCM practitioners—to design personalized, safe, and effective treatment plans that honor the full complexity of their mental health needs.