Earthing and grounding are practices that have gained attention for their potential health benefits. These practices involve making direct contact with the Earth’s surface or connecting electrically conductive parts of the body to the Earth. This article explores what earthing and grounding are, the science behind earthing and grounding, and the benefits of earthing and grounding.
What Are Earthing and Grounding?
Earthing
Earthing, used interchangeably with grounding, refers to the direct physical contact between the human body and the Earth’s surface. This can be achieved by walking barefoot on grass, sand, or soil. The idea behind earthing is that the Earth’s surface has a natural, subtle electric charge, and by connecting with it, the body can benefit from the Earth’s electrons.
Grounding
Grounding has the same goal as earthing – to achieve a physical connection to the Earth’s electrons. However, grounding is done indoors through grounding devices that connect to electrical systems to simulate this contact. Grounding devices, such as grounding mats and sheets, connect an object or a person to the Earth.
The Science Behind Earthing and Grounding
Historically, humans have walked barefoot, used conductive footwear like leather-soled shoes, and slept directly on the ground or in areas that allow conductivity. This direct connection with the earth has provided abundant electrons and acted as natural antioxidants for the human body. However, this connectivity was replaced with footwear made of non-conductive materials like plastic and rubber in the 1950s.
Researchers now believe that this shift has led to the loss of contact with the Earth’s surface. This has resulted in a new disorder called “electron deficiency,” which correlates to the chronic disease crisis. The science behind earthing and grounding highlights the advantageous effects of the Earth’s electric charge.
Earth’s surface is rich in free electrons – negatively charged particles. These electrons can neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS), sometimes referred to as free radicals, in the body. Free radicals are positively charged molecules that strip electrons from healthy cells and tissues. These unstable atoms can cause cellular damage and are associated with inflammation, aging, and various chronic diseases. By grounding the body, it is thought that these free electrons can enter the body and stabilize these free radicals, thereby reducing inflammation and promoting overall health.
Benefits of Earthing and Grounding
Reducing Inflammation
One of the most cited benefits of earthing is its potential to reduce inflammation. Researchers believe that grounding or earthing could be the “anti-inflammatory antidote for modern man” due to their ability to decrease inflammation and oxidative stress. It seems as though the influx of electrons from the Earth helps to neutralize the positively charged free radicals that contribute to chronic inflammation. This natural anti-inflammatory supports biochemical and physiological effects that also promote faster recovery and healing.
Boosting Immune Function
Research suggests that grounding can even enhance immune function. A pilot study published in Integrative Medicine: A Clinician’s Journal found that grounding can affect various physiological processes linked to immune responses. The study observed improvements in heart rate variability and a reduction in markers of inflammation.
Enhancing Mood and Reducing Stress
Another great benefit of grounding is its positive effect on mental health. Multiple studies have documented grounding’s beneficial effect on stress. This is the result of normalizing cortisol levels, calming electrical activity in the brain and muscles, shifting the overactive expression of the sympathetic nervous system (associated with stress) into a parasympathetic calming mode, and improving heart rate variability.
Protecting Against EMFs
Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are areas of energy that surround electronic devices. EMFs have been associated with certain cancers, like childhood leukemia and brain cancer, neurological and reproductive issues. Wireless devices like mobile phones, Wi-Fi routers, microwave ovens, and broadcasting antennas emit radiofrequency (RF) EMFs while induction heating devices, computer monitors, and anti-theft devices emit intermediate frequency (IF) EMFs.
Research shows that earthing and grounding protect the body against health-disturbing EMFs and reduce AC body voltage by an average of 58-fold when participants were grounded compared with when they were not grounded. Learn more about EMFs with this FREE EMF Guide from the Energetic Health Institute!
Improving Sleep Quality
Another significant benefit of earthing is improved sleep quality. Studies show that grounding your body during sleep decreases pain and the secretion of cortisol (the stress hormone) at night, and gets the circadian rhythm in sync. Participants who slept grounded also reported better deeper sleep.
Reducing Chronic Pain
Chronic pain management is another area where earthing shows promise. A study in European Biology and Bioelectromagnetics reported that individuals who practiced grounding experienced a significant reduction in chronic pain. This finding suggests that earthing might be a useful complementary therapy for pain management.
Improving Health Conditions
Reconnection with the Earth’s electrons has been found to promote physiological changes and symptomatic improvement in numerous conditions. Significant relief has been reported in the following conditions:
- Asthmatic and respiratory conditions
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- PMS
- Sleep apnea
- Hypertension
- Blood viscosity
Conclusion
Earthing and grounding are simple practices that involve connecting the body with the Earth’s surface to harness its natural electric charge. Understanding the science behind earthing and grounding allows you to tap into natural methods of enhancing your health. Some of the benefits of earthing and grounding include reduced inflammation, improved sleep quality, enhanced mood, better immune function, and reduced chronic pain. Not many fully understand the mechanisms and long-term benefits of these practices. Yet, earthing presents a natural free option and grounding a low-cost approach to improving your well-being.
To a Fitter Healthier You,
The Fitness Wellness Mentor
