The Third Eye Point pressure point (GV 24.5) is a well-known acupressure location along the Governing Vessel (Du Mai) meridian. Situated between the eyebrows, this point has historical relevance in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for calming the nervous system, regulating emotional activity, and supporting upper respiratory health. It is frequently used in both therapeutic and meditative contexts due to its association with mental clarity and energetic balance.
Summary Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Pressure Point Name | GV 24.5 – Third Eye Point |
| Body Area | Face |
| Exact Location | Between eyebrows in indentation where nose meets forehead |
| Common Uses | Calms nervous system, enhances intuition, relieves sinus congestion |
| Stimulation Technique | Lightly touch with fingertips for 1–2 min |
| Contraindications | Avoid during episodes of dizziness, hypotension, or active sinus infection |
Clinical Significance & Associated Conditions
The Third Eye Point pressure point is commonly associated with conditions involving psychological, neurological, and sinus-related dysfunction. Clinically, this point is used for:
- Mild anxiety and restlessness
- Overactive mental states or difficulty focusing
- Frontal sinus congestion and pressure
- Insomnia or irregular sleep cycles
Due to its central craniofacial location and innervation via the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve, this point is neurologically connected to both autonomic regulation and sensory input in the frontal region of the head.
Location
GV 24.5 is located at the midpoint between the eyebrows, in the shallow indentation where the bridge of the nose meets the forehead.
To locate it:
- Look straight ahead
- Place your fingertip in the space directly between the inner ends of your eyebrows
- You will feel a subtle dip at the base of the glabella, a common landmark used in both Eastern and Western cranial mapping
This point is frequently illustrated in facial acupressure charts and meditation diagrams.
How to Stimulate It
To stimulate the Third Eye Point:
- Technique: Use your index or middle fingertip to apply a gentle, stationary touch
- Intensity: Very light pressure — this area is highly sensitive
- Duration: Hold for 1–2 minutes, using calm and steady breathing
- Frequency: Apply once or twice daily, particularly during moments of stress or before sleep
- Position: Best performed seated or lying down with eyes closed for full relaxation
GV 24.5 is often used in conjunction with breath regulation and meditative techniques, and may be combined with other facial points for nervous system or respiratory support.
Benefits and Common Uses
This point is traditionally and clinically applied for:
- Soothing overstimulation and calming emotional agitation
- Relieving sinus pressure and improving nasal airflow
- Enhancing focus and promoting clarity of thought
- Supporting sleep onset and mental stillness
In TCM, GV 24.5 is said to pacify wind and benefit the brain, suggesting a calming influence over chaotic mental activity. Its location at the confluence of several energetic pathways gives it significance in both somatic and psychosomatic applications.
Physiological Functions & Mechanisms
GV 24.5 lies over the glabellar region, near branches of the facial and trigeminal nerves, and adjacent to the frontal sinuses. Stimulation at this point is believed to:
- Modulate parasympathetic activity, reducing physiological signs of stress
- Improve microcirculation in the forehead and sinus cavities
- Activate areas related to prefrontal cortex function, potentially enhancing mental regulation and sensory integration
Energetically, it serves as a central access point for balancing yin and yang within the upper body and mind, and is often used to integrate energetic flow along the Governing Vessel with the brain and sensory orifices.
Practitioner Insight
In my experience, this point has consistently helped induce a gentle shift into stillness, especially when overstimulation accumulates around the forehead and eyes. It’s one of the first points I turn to when seeking to quiet the mind before sleep or meditation.
Safety & Contraindications
Use caution and avoid stimulation of this point:
- During active sinus infection with significant tenderness or inflammation
- In cases of dizziness, lightheadedness, or extremely low blood pressure
- When the skin is injured, inflamed, or overly sensitive in the glabellar region
Always apply with a light touch. Avoid pressing hard or using tools on this delicate area. See our acupressure safety guide for more guidance.
As always, listen to your body and stop if discomfort arises.
Related Points & Techniques
This point is often paired with:
- Yin Tang – Hall of Impression for emotional grounding
- GV 20 – Hundred Meetings to stabilize mental focus
- LI20 – Welcome Fragrance for enhanced sinus relief
Complementary techniques include:
- Box breathing or alternate nostril breathing during stimulation
- Guided meditative visualization
- Warm compress on the brow prior to application
Scientific Perspective
Research on acupressure applied to the forehead region has demonstrated potential benefits in reducing anxiety, lowering heart rate, and improving subjective sleep quality. Studies involving stimulation of this zone have shown changes in EEG activity consistent with relaxed mental states. These outcomes may reflect the modulation of frontal lobe function and autonomic tone. PubMed Source