Dr. Riley Smith

San Diego · Nationwide · Worldwide — In-Person & Virtual

LAC · DACM · DIPLOM

Book Now
Contact Us
Grounded in a peer-netewed science

Nothing here is alternative.
It's evidence.

Everything I do in clinic traces back to the same literature your physician trained on-the biology of burnout, cortisol, hormones, inflammation, the gut, blood sugar, sleep and the mind. Below are the studies behind the work, organized by system and written in plain language. Read them. Bring them to your next appointment. Let’s chat about it after. I can show you the proof,“

16k+

Patient Visits

20

Years Clinical Experience

5+

Treatment Pathways

16k+

Patient
Visits

20

Years Clinical
Experience

5+

Treatment
Pathways

2×

Board

Certified

Your body is telling the truth. I can show you the proof.™

THE EVIDENCE LIBRARY

Nine systems. One body.
All of it documented.

My team and I have organized the research by the systems that shape how you feel. Open a topic to see examples of the peer-reviewed studies behind it – the same science that informs every custom plan I build.

Burnout is biological – it leaves a measurable signature on the
body’s central stress-response system, the HPA axis. The research here traces how chronic load reshapes that system and why exhaustion outlasts rest.

Yes – sustained stress physically wears on the body, and cortisol rhythm is
one of its clearest markers. These papers map that wear across multiple systems at once.

Yes-fatigue, weight changes and low
mood often trace to hormones even when standard labs read normal. The literature here covers thyroid, adrenal cortisol and sex-hormone function and why reference ranges sometimes miss the picture.

Yes-low-grade inflammation runs quietly beneath many chronic conditions, from
mood to metabolism. These reviews connect it to aging, the brain and disease across the lifespan.

Yes – the gut talks to nearly every system in the body, including the brain.
The research here covers the microbiome’s role in immunity, mood and metabolic health.

Yes-how the body handles glucose shapes energy, mood and long-
term risk. These landmark trials show how much metabolic health responds to targeted change.

Yes – anxiety is biological as well as psychological. The studies here examine the links between
inflammation, the stress response and conditions like anxiety and depression.

Yes – waking at the same time most nights often points to an overnight cortisol or blood-sugar shift. This research
covers what disrupted sleep does to the body and why the timing matters.

Acupuncture has measurable effects backed by
high-quality trials, particularly for chronic pain. It works alongside conventional care, not instead of it.

THE EVIDENCE LIBRARY

Nine systems. One body.
All of it documented.

My team and I have organized the research by the systems that shape how you feel. Open a topic to see examples of the peer-reviewed studies behind it – the same science that informs every custom plan I build.

Burnout is biological – it leaves a measurable signature on the body’s central stress-response system, the HPA axis. The research here traces how chronic load reshapes that system and why exhaustion outlasts rest.

 

  1. NCCIH — Stress
    Overview of chronic stress, stress physiology, and evidence-based management approaches.
  2. Harvard Health Publishing — Stress
    Comprehensive resource on stress, resilience, cortisol, and long-term health effects.
  3. Harvard Health Publishing — Understanding the Stress Response
     Explains the body’s stress response, hormones, and physiological adaptations.
  4. American Psychological Association — Stress Effects on the Body
    Describes how chronic stress affects major body systems and health.
  5. PubMed — Burnout HPA Axis
    Current reviews examining burnout-related changes in HPA-axis function.
  6. Mayo Clinic — Stress Symptoms: Effects on Your Body and Behavior
    Clinical overview of stress symptoms, causes, and health consequences.

Yes – sustained stress physically wears on the body, and cortisol rhythm is one of its clearest markers. These papers map that wear across multiple systems at once.

  1. Harvard Health Publishing — Understanding the Stress Response
     Explains cortisol, stress hormones, and the body’s adaptive response.
  2. NIMH — I’m So Stressed Out! Fact Sheet
     Explains stress, anxiety, coping strategies, and effects on health.
  3. American Psychological Association — Stress
    Evidence-based information about stress, resilience, and psychological health.
  4. Mayo Clinic — Stress Management
    Clinical guidance on understanding and managing stress responses.
  5. PubMed – The Role of Cortisol in Chronic Stress, Neurodegenerative Diseases, and Psychological Disorders
    Emphasizes the role of cortisol in neurodegenerative diseases and psychological disorders

Yes-fatigue, weight changes and low mood often trace to hormones even when standard labs read normal. The literature here covers thyroid, adrenal cortisol and sex-hormone function and why reference ranges sometimes miss the picture.

 

  1. Office on Women’s Health — Hormones
    Comprehensive resource covering hormone health, menopause, and endocrine changes.
  2. Office on Women’s Health — Menopause
     Overview of hormonal changes, symptoms, treatment options, and health impacts.
  3. Endocrine Society — Hormone Health Network
    Trusted patient resource covering thyroid, adrenal, and reproductive hormones.
  4. Mayo Clinic — Thyroid Disease https://womenshealth.gov/menopause
    Overview of thyroid disorders, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
  5. PubMed — Thyroid Hormones Health 
    Recent reviews on thyroid function and overall health outcomes.
  6. Office on Women’s Health — Menopause Basics 
    Explains hormonal shifts during menopause and their effects on health.

Yes-low-grade inflammation runs quietly beneath many chronic conditions, from mood to metabolism. These reviews connect it to aging, the brain and disease across the lifespan.

 

  1. Harvard Health Publishing — Fighting Inflammation
     Evidence-based information about inflammation and chronic disease risk.
  2. Cleveland Clinic — Inflammation
     Overview of inflammation, causes, symptoms, and health implications.
  3. PubMed — Chronic Inflammation
     Current systematic reviews on chronic inflammation and health outcomes.
  4. Johns Hopkins Medicine — Healthy Eating Tips to Ease Chronic Inflammation
    Provides healthy tips to prevent chronic inflammation and other causes

Yes – the gut talks to nearly every system in the body, including the brain. The research here covers the microbiome’s role in immunity, mood and metabolic health.

 

  1. NIDDK — Digestive Diseases
     Comprehensive resource on digestive health and gastrointestinal disorders.
  2. Harvard Health Publishing — The Gut Microbiome
     Overview of gut bacteria and their impact on overall health.
  3. Cleveland Clinic — How exercise can lead to a healthy gut
    Clinical guidance on maintaining a healthy digestive system through proper exercise
  4. PubMed — Gut Microbiome and Inflammation
    Recent reviews on microbiome influences on inflammation and health.
  5. Mayo Clinic — Get to know your microbiome: It can improve gut health and more, Mayo Clinic expert explains
    Educational resources covering digestion and microbiome-related health.

Yes-how the body handles glucose shapes energy, mood and long- term risk. These landmark trials show how much metabolic health responds to targeted change.

 

  1. NIDDK — Prediabetes & Insulin Resistance 
    Overview of insulin resistance, blood sugar regulation, and prevention.
  2. CDC — Diabetes Basics 
    Foundational information on blood sugar, diabetes, and prevention.
  3. Mayo Clinic — Type 2 Diabetes 
    Clinical overview of blood sugar dysregulation and metabolic health.
  4. Harvard Health Publishing — Blood Sugar and Metabolism 
    Evidence-based information on glucose control and metabolic wellness.
  5. PubMed — Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Syndrome
    Recent reviews on insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.
  6. Cleveland Clinic — Metabolic Syndrome
    Overview of risk factors, diagnosis, and prevention strategies.

Yes – anxiety is biological as well as psychological. The studies here examine the links between inflammation, the stress response and conditions like anxiety and depression.

 

  1. NIMH — Anxiety Disorders
    Authoritative resource covering common mental health conditions.
  2. American Psychological Association — Mental Health
     Evidence-based information on mental health and psychological wellness.
  3. NIMH — Depression
     Overview of depression symptoms, treatment, and research.
  4. Harvard Health Publishing — Mental Health
     Articles and resources on emotional well-being and resilience.
  5. PubMed — The associations between screen time and mental health in adolescents: a systematic review
    Recent systematic reviews on mental health research.

Yes – waking at the same time most nights often points to an overnight cortisol or blood-sugar shift. This research covers what disrupted sleep does to the body and why the timing matters.

 

  1. NHLBI — How Sleep Works
     Comprehensive information about healthy sleep and sleep disorders.
  2. CDC — Sleep Facts and Stats
    Public health guidance on sleep habits and health outcomes.
  3. Harvard Health Publishing — Sleep
    Evidence-based information about sleep quality and overall health.
  4. Mayo Clinic — Sleep Disorders
    Overview of common sleep disorders and treatment approaches.
  5. Johns Hopkins Medicine — Insomnia
    Research-based guidance for knowing insomnia and improving sleep and recovery.
  6. PubMed — The Role of Magnesium in Sleep Health: a Systematic Review of Available Literature
    Recent reviews on sleep, recovery, and long-term health outcomes with the role of magnesium

Acupuncture has measurable effects backed by high-quality trials, particularly for chronic pain. It works alongside conventional care, not instead of it.

 

  1. NCCIH — Acupuncture
    Overview of acupuncture research, safety, and effectiveness.
  2. Mayo Clinic — Acupuncture
    Clinical overview of acupuncture uses, benefits, and risks.
  3. Johns Hopkins Medicine — Stress Busters: 4 Integrative Treatments
    Overview of integrative approaches specifically focusing on integrative treatments.
  4. PubMed — Acupuncture for pediatric chronic pain: a systematic review
    Recent systematic reviews on acupuncture and chronic pain management.
  5. Cleveland Clinic — Acupuncture
    Evidence-based overview of acupuncture treatment and clinical applications.

Your burnout is biological.™

The science is settled enough to act on. When you’re ready to see what it means for your body specifically, that’s where I come in.
START HERE

Dr. Riley Smith, LAc · DACM · DiplOM

Find Your Best First Step

Seven quick questions. I'll match you with the care that actually fits what you're dealing with — no guessing required.

Start

Before we begin

Tell us where to send your results

Question 1

Where are you located?

Acupuncture is available in-person at our San Diego clinic only. All other services are fully virtual.

Question 2

What best describes what you're dealing with?

Pick the option that feels most like your primary concern right now.

Question 3

How long have you been dealing with this?

Question 4

What kind of support resonates most right now?

Go with your gut — there's no wrong answer here.

Question 5

How urgently do you need support?

Question 6

How do you feel about working with a provider virtually?

Coaching and lab services are 100% virtual. Acupuncture is in-person only.

Question 7

What level of investment feels realistic right now?

This helps match you to the right entry point — not a commitment.