Exhausted but Can’t Slow Down? Baihui (GV-20) Offers Instant Reset

Tap the Top of Your Head to Reset Your Day

You’re drained, but the emails keep coming. You’re mentally overloaded, but the deadlines won’t wait. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. For professionals stuck in high-pressure, screen-heavy jobs, it’s common to feel mentally and physically exhausted long before the workday ends. When traditional breaks don’t cut it—and coffee just adds to the jittery tension—you need a smarter solution that calms your mind while restoring focus.

That’s where Baihui (GV-20) comes in. This powerful acupressure point, located at the top of the head, has been used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine to balance the body’s energy and settle the mind. Today, its effectiveness is being confirmed through modern scientific research, making it a go-to reset tool for stressed professionals who need fast, natural relief.

What Is Baihui (GV-20) and Where Is It Located?

Baihui (GV-20), also known as “Hundred Meetings,” sits at the crown of your head—right where your head feels highest when upright. In acupuncture and acupressure practices, GV-20 is considered a master point for regulating yang energy, lifting mental fog, and calming the spirit.

Physiologically, the location corresponds with important cranial nerve pathways and the central nervous system, making it ideal for influencing mental clarity, alertness, and emotional regulation. Pressing this point gently sends signals to the brain that help transition the body from a stressed, high-alert state to a calmer, more focused one.

Why GV-20 Matters for High-Stress Professionals

For people in careers where multitasking, mental fatigue, and overstimulation are the norm, GV-20 offers a rare combination of benefits:

  • Clears brain fog without stimulants
  • Promotes relaxation without drowsiness
  • Enhances cognitive function and memory
  • Helps regulate mood and reduce anxious energy

When you stimulate GV-20 during your day—between meetings, after a difficult email, or mid-afternoon slump—you’re not just pressing a point on your head. You’re activating a neurological reset that can make a noticeable difference in how you feel and function.

Scientific Studies Supporting the Use of Baihui (GV-20)

Modern research has validated GV-20’s calming and cognitive effects, offering compelling evidence for its practical use in daily life.

1. Sedative Effect on the Brain’s Electrical Activity

In a study published in the Neural Regeneration Research Journal, researchers observed the effects of acupuncture at GV-20 on rats suffering from sleep deprivation. Results showed a notable increase in alpha wave activity and a decrease in beta waves, which are associated with stress and hyper-alertness. This implies a natural sedative effect, making GV-20 ideal for managing mental overactivity. You can read the full study here.

2. Acupressure’s Effectiveness in Real-World Work Settings

A study involving shift-work nurses—who face constant mental and physical strain—evaluated the use of meridian acupressure including GV-20. Participants in the intervention group showed significant reductions in stress, anxiety, and fatigue levels compared to those in the control group. The study supports GV-20 as a valuable part of practical stress management for professionals. See the full research on PubMed.

3. Reversal of Cognitive Impairment Caused by Sleep Deprivation

In another controlled experiment, researchers examined the role of electroacupuncture at GV-20 on sleep-deprived rats. The results showed improved learning and memory abilities, along with better synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus—key areas for cognitive performance. These findings are especially relevant for professionals who struggle with focus, memory recall, and decision-making under pressure. Full article available here.

4. Relaxation Through EEG Modulation

In a human study published on ResearchGate, researchers used EEG monitoring to observe how acupuncture at GV-20 affects brainwave activity. Results showed an increase in alpha wave power and a reduction in beta activity, which are associated with a calm, focused mind. This suggests that even short stimulation of GV-20 can bring measurable brain-level changes.

How to Use GV-20 Acupressure at Work

Acupoint: GV-20 (Other Names: The Governing Vessel-20/Bai Hui/Hundred Convergence)
Acupoint: GV-20 (Other Names: The Governing Vessel-20/Bai Hui/Hundred Convergence)

GV-20 acupressure is discreet and can be done in under a minute. Here’s how:

  1. Locate the Point: Place your fingers at the top of your ears and trace an imaginary line to the center of your scalp. The intersection is GV-20.
  2. Apply Gentle Pressure: Use one or two fingers to press lightly on the point. Massage in small circular motions.
  3. Breathe Deeply: Inhale slowly as you apply pressure for 30–60 seconds.
  4. Repeat as Needed: Use it 1–3 times a day, especially during transitions between tasks or when you feel your energy dipping.

Long-Term Benefits of Incorporating GV-20 Into Your Routine

Regular use of Baihui (GV-20) doesn’t just offer a quick fix—it creates a foundation for better mental resilience, emotional regulation, and energy stability. Over time, many people notice:

  • Fewer episodes of mental exhaustion
  • Improved ability to focus during complex tasks
  • Reduced reliance on caffeine for energy
  • Greater emotional steadiness under pressure

Final Thoughts

If you’re feeling exhausted but can’t afford to slow down, Baihui (GV-20) may be exactly what your mind needs to function at its best. Backed by research from PMC5994783, PubMed33921026, PMC7456497, and ResearchGate, GV-20 is more than an ancient pressure point—it’s a modern wellness tool you can use anytime, anywhere.

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Author: P. Sze

P. Sze P. Sze is the founder of TCM Tips and Dragon Acupuncture®. She graduated from the National University of Singapore with a first-class honor in Civil Engineering. S he also holds a master’s degree in Engineering and is the brain behind the innovative TCM products of Dragon Acupuncture®. She is the author of The Beginner's Guide to Auricular Therapy: Application of Ear Seeds (ISBN 978-1520451398) and Facial Gua Sha - Fight the Signs of Aging Naturally and Inexpensively (ISBN 978-1980678922). She has dedicated her life to ensuring that the complex theories behind oriental medicine and the seemingly dangerous techniques that involve needles and fire do not scare you from trying oriental medicine. This is why she writes endlessly about acupressure and its countless health and wellness benefits.

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