Decision fatigue—mental exhaustion from making too many choices—has become a modern challenge. More than 30 percent of Americans report working on weekends, balancing professional demands with personal responsibilities. When one’s mind feels foggy, even simple decisions can feel overwhelming.
Thankfully, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers an ancient solution: Eye Window (Mu Chuang, GB16). This acupoint is known for improving eye health, sharpening mental clarity, and helping you make better decisions.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective
Mu Chuang has been recognized in TCM since the classic text “Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing (The Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion).” As the name Eye Window suggests, this acupoint plays a key role in eye health, helping with redness, swelling, and blurry vision. Beyond physical sight, it also enhances mental clarity.
Mu Chuang is located on the gallbladder meridian, an energy pathway in the body that extends from the head to the feet. In Traditional Chinese medicine philosophy, the gallbladder works closely with the liver to store and regulate blood and detoxify the body.
TCM views the body holistically, and the gallbladder also plays a significant role in emotions and cognitive processes, particularly in regulating courage and decisiveness. When blood and qi, or vital energy, become stagnant, this can lead to feelings of hesitation, indecisiveness, and mental fog. Stimulating Mu Chuang can help unblock stagnation, promoting clearer thinking and a stronger sense of direction.
Scientific Research on Acupuncture
Modern research is beginning to uncover Mu Chuang’s healing properties and mainly focuses on how acupuncture at Mu Chuang supports eye health. Research grounded in the clinical application of acupuncture for eye disorders examined the use of Mu Chuang to treat glaucoma. Acupuncture improved blood circulation, particularly benefiting patients with normal tension glaucoma. This approach addressed the physical aspects of glaucoma and provided patients with a holistic strategy to enhance their quality of life and visual function.
How to Locate and Stimulate Mu Chuang
To locate Mu Chuang, look straight ahead and find the center of your pupil. From there, trace an imaginary vertical line upward toward your hairline. Measure about three finger-widths into your hairline along this line. Press around gently—you should find a slightly sore or tender spot—that is Mu Chuang.
To stimulate Mu Chuang, use these techniques:
- Direct Pressure: Press firmly for three to five seconds, relax for three seconds, and repeat for one to three minutes on each side.
- Circular Massage: Use your index finger or thumb to massage the area in gentle circles for one to three minutes per side.
- Advanced Therapies: Acupuncture and moxibustion (a heat therapy using burning mugwort) can further enhance Mu Chuang’s benefits. If using moxibustion, be cautious of hair in the area.
When to Avoid Mu Chuang
If you have injuries or open wounds near Mu Chuang, avoid applying pressure or heat to the area.
Clear Your Mind, One Acupoint at a Time
The average adult makes about 35,000 decisions every day. From simple choices like what to eat to major life decisions, this constant demand on the brain can lead to exhaustion. Decision fatigue can drain your mental and physical energy. By stimulating Mu Chuang, you can relieve mental fog, improve focus, and restore clarity. A few minutes of acupressure could support you as you regain control over your thoughts and decisions.
Originally published in Epoch Times on 5 Mar 2025
