GB 13 — Běn Shén (本神) — Root of the Spirit
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1. Overview
GB 13 — Běn Shén (本神) — is an acupuncture point on the Gallbladder meridian and a meeting point with the Yang Wei Mai. Its name Root of the Spirit reflects its profound action on the Shen, making it one of the most useful points in acupuncture for severe anxiety, panic and emotional disturbance.
I am Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto, a member of the British Acupuncture Council with over 25 years of clinical experience. I use GB 13 as part of individually tailored acupuncture prescriptions at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.
2. Location
0.5 cun within the anterior hairline, directly above the outer canthus of the eye and 3 cun lateral to GV 24 (Shenting).
3. Actions
- Calms the Shen and roots the spirit
- Resolves Phlegm misting the mind
- Subdues internal Wind in the head
4. Indications
- Anxiety with palpitations and a sense of unreality
- Panic attacks
- Phobias and obsessive thinking
- Severe insomnia with overactive mind
- Manic-depressive states (Phlegm-Fire misting the mind)
- Dissociative states and emotional shock
- Epilepsy and tic disorders
- Vertigo and dizziness
5. Needling
Oblique insertion backward (toward the occiput) or transversely along the hairline 0.3–0.5 cun.
6. Clinical notes
GB 13 is one of the most underused yet powerful Shen-anchoring points. I reach for it when standard calming points (HT 7, Yin Tang, An Mian) have not been enough, particularly in patients whose anxiety has dissociative or detachment features. Often combined with GV 24 (Shenting) and Si Shen Cong for a powerful Shen-anchoring frontal triad.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I use GB 13 for severe anxiety, panic disorder, post-traumatic states and stubborn insomnia with mental overactivity. Book a consultation in Wokingham, Berkshire.
