The bars question
What are the "bars" on your head?
If you are new to Access Bars, the idea of "bars" on your head might sound strange. The term comes from the Access Consciousness system, where it refers to 32 designated points on the head.
These points are not physical bars, metal objects, or anything solid. They are conceptual points, locations on the head that the Access Consciousness system associates with different areas of life.
The points include names like Money, Control, Creativity, Healing, and Awareness. Each one is said to store thoughts, emotions, and limiting beliefs related to that area.
The "bars" are touched gently during a session. Practitioners believe this helps release the stored charge. However, the system is not based on established science.
Understanding what the bars are (and what they are not) is key to understanding Access Bars.
The bars on your head: general locations
A neutral visual showing the generalized location of the bars on the head.
Front bars
Some bars are located on the front of the head.
Top bars
Other bars are located on the top of the head.
Side bars
Some bars are located on the sides of the head.
Back bars
Some bars are located at the back of the head.
Skim first
Key takeaways
The shortest useful version of this page.
The "bars" are 32 designated points on the head.
Each bar has a name and meaning within the system.
Examples: Money, Control, Creativity, Healing, Awareness.
They are not physical or anatomical structures.
The claimed mechanism is not established by evidence.
Do not use them as a substitute for professional care.
Where the bars came from
- Gary Douglas claimed to discover 32 points on the head that could release stored thoughts.The "bars" concept was established.
- Practitioners were taught the bar names and locations.A standardized vocabulary developed.
- The bars are searched for by people exploring the practice.Understanding the bars became important for potential participants.
What are the different bars on your head?
The Access Bars system describes 32 points on the head, each with a specific name and meaning. The following is a selection of the most commonly mentioned bars.
The names and meanings belong to the Access Bars system. They are not recognized as anatomical structures or medically validated treatment points.
Money
Associated with thoughts and attitudes about money.
One of the most commonly mentioned bars.
No established evidence that financial beliefs are stored here.Control
Associated with control-related points of view.
A named conceptual area within the system.
The meaning is part of the system's philosophy.Creativity
Associated with creativity and related limitations.
A bar mentioned by practitioners.
Touching this bar has not been established as a treatment for creative blocks.Healing
Associated with healing and the body.
A commonly mentioned bar.
The claimed association is not scientifically established.Awareness
Associated with awareness and consciousness.
A bar within the Access Consciousness framework.
The claimed association is part of the system's philosophy.Communication
Associated with communication-related beliefs or patterns.
A bar mentioned in practitioner materials.
No established evidence for this specific association.Body
Associated with the physical body and related limitations.
A bar within the Access Bars map.
The claimed association is part of the system's philosophy.
Understanding the meanings
What do the bars on your head mean?
The "bars" on your head are not random. Each one has a specific name and meaning within the Access Consciousness system.
The names include Money, Control, Creativity, Healing, Awareness, Communication, Body, Aging, and Sexuality. There are 32 bars in total, each with a different name and meaning.
According to Access Consciousness, each bar stores the electromagnetic charge of thoughts and emotions related to that life area. For example, the Money bar is said to store every thought you have ever had about money that you considered important.
The meanings are part of the Access Consciousness philosophy. They are not based on anatomical or neurological science.
When you hear someone talk about the bars on your head, they are referring to this system of named points.
How are the bars claimed to work?
The Access Consciousness system has a specific explanation for how touching the bars works.
Stored thoughts
The bars are said to store the electromagnetic charge of thoughts, ideas, decisions, and beliefs.
Like files stored on a computer.Gentle touch
During a session, a practitioner gently touches the bars on the head.
Release of charge
Touching the bars is said to release the electromagnetic charge and clear the stored thoughts.
Like deleting files from a computer.Scientific perspective
The proposed mechanism is not established by independent research.
How different groups view the bars on your head
- Practitioner
Practitioners describe the bars as locations of stored thoughts and beliefs that can be cleared through touch.
- Participant
Recipients often describe feeling relaxed or calm after bars are touched, but may not focus on the specific names.
- Balanced view
The bar names and meanings are part of the Access Consciousness framework. They are useful for understanding the system but not scientifically established.
- Evidence view
There is no established evidence that thoughts or emotions are stored in specific head points.
Do not confuse the bar names with recognized medical or scientific terms.
Evidence scan
What does the evidence say about the bars on your head?
The evidence question is whether the bar system corresponds to anything established by science.
Overall: not supported by evidence
Leans against
Points that do not support the claim
The bars store thoughts and emotions.
This is a claim within the Access Consciousness system and is not supported by scientific evidence.
The bar names correspond to specific stored thoughts.
There is no evidence that thoughts about money, control, or creativity are stored in specific head points.
Touching the bars releases stored energy.
No established evidence supports this mechanism.
Reality check
Common misunderstandings about the bars on your head
- Myth
The bars are physical structures on your head.
RealityThey are conceptual points within the Access Consciousness system.
- Myth
The bar names describe what the brain does.
RealityThe names are metaphorical within the system, not scientific descriptions.
- Myth
Touching the bars has been scientifically proven to work.
RealityThe broader claims are not supported by independent evidence.
- Myth
Everyone has the same bars in the same locations.
RealityPractitioners follow the Access Consciousness map, but exact locations may vary.
The bars on your head compared to other point systems
Understanding how the Access Bars system compares to other systems helps clarify what it is.
Origin
Access Consciousness system
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Various traditions
Number
32 points
Hundreds of points
Varies
Meaning
Life areas and themes
Meridians and energy flow
Pain and tension relief
Scientific basis
Not established
Limited for some uses
Limited for some uses
Method
Gentle touch
Needle insertion
Pressure
Safety
Is touching the bars on your head safe?
The physical touch is gentle and low risk, but the claims about the bars should not create unrealistic expectations.
Generally low-risk for
- Adults who understand the system's limitations
- People comfortable with gentle head touch
- Those who continue professional care
Use caution if
- You have a head injury or recent surgery
- You are in a mental health crisis
- A practitioner makes unrealistic claims
Seek professional help if
- You have persistent symptoms
- You need a diagnosis or treatment plan
- You are experiencing a mental health emergency
Access Bars is a complementary wellness practice, not a substitute for professional medical or psychological care.
What to remember about the bars on your head
The "bars" are 32 designated points on the head.
Each bar has a name and meaning within the system.
Examples: Money, Control, Creativity, Healing, Awareness.
They are not physical or anatomical structures.
The claimed mechanism is not established by evidence.
Do not use them as a substitute for professional care.
Verdict
Our evidence-based verdict on the bars on your head
not-supported
The "bars on your head" are 32 conceptual points with names and meanings within the Access Consciousness system. They are not physical structures, and the system's claims are not supported by science. The broader claims about storing and releasing thoughts and emotions are not established.
What we know
- The Access Bars system describes 32 points on the head.
- Each point has a name and meaning within the system.
- Examples include Money, Control, Creativity, and Healing.
- Practitioners gently touch these points during sessions.
What we do not know
- Whether thoughts and emotions are stored in these points.
- Whether the point names correspond to anything real.
- Whether touching the points produces specific effects.
The bars are a conceptual system within a specific philosophy. They can be useful for understanding the practice, but the evidence does not support the broader claims.
Bottom line
Bars in perspective
The "bars on your head" are a conceptual system with specific names and meanings. They are useful for understanding Access Bars, but the evidence does not support the broader claims.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
What are the bars on your head?
They are 32 designated points on the head used in the Access Bars practice.
What do the bars on your head mean?
Each bar is associated with a different area of life like money, control, or creativity.
Are there really bars on your head?
Only in the conceptual sense within the Access Consciousness system. They are not physical structures.
How many bars are on your head?
The Access Bars system describes 32 bars.
Can touching the bars on your head help you?
Some people find it relaxing, but the broader claims are not scientifically established.
Sources
REPLACE IF AVAILABLE. REPLACE WITH VERIFIED OFFICIAL ACCESS BARS PAGE TITLE. Access Consciousness, REPLACE_IF_AVAILABLE. Accessed YYYY-MM-DD
Use to establish what the system claims about the bars.
REPLACE WITH VERIFIED AUTHORS. REPLACE WITH VERIFIED CRITICAL ANALYSIS TITLE. REPLACE WITH VERIFIED SOURCE, REPLACE WITH VERIFIED DATE. Accessed YYYY-MM-DD
Use to provide a balanced perspective on the bar system.
REPLACE IF AVAILABLE. REPLACE WITH VERIFIED MEDICAL EVIDENCE GUIDANCE. REPLACE WITH RECOGNIZED MEDICAL SOURCE, REPLACE IF AVAILABLE. Accessed YYYY-MM-DD
Use for appropriate complementary-care, safety, and treatment-substitution context.
