Acupuncture in heroin addicts; changes in Met-enkephalin and beta-endorphin in blood and cerebrospinal fluid.

In heroin addicts showing features of heroin withdrawal basal beta-endorphin levels were elevated in both blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and did not change during electroacupuncture, although this therapy suppressed the clinical features of withdrawal. Met-enkephalin levels were not elevated in blood or CSF before treatment. However, successful electroacupuncture was associated with a rise in CSF met-enkephalin levels in all patients studied, although concentrations in blood did not alter.