Have you ever heard of grounding or earthing to reduce chronic inflammation and prevent and treat chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases?
The multi-disciplinary research behind grounding reveals that the electrically conductive contact of our bodies with the surface of the Earth produces interesting effects to physiology and health in relation to inflammation, immune responses, wound healing, and chronic inflammatory diseases. A study done by the NIH showed that grounding reduces pain and alters the numbers of circulating neutrophils and lymphocytes (types of white blood cells our body uses to kill bacteria and fight infections), and also affected various circulating chemical factors related to inflammation.
If you’re unfamiliar like I was, grounding simply refers to making direct contact with your skin to the earth, such as bare feet or hands or using a grounding system. Also known as vitamin G or electronic nutrition, experts think grounding fixes an “electron deficiency syndrome” that plays a role in multiple health disorders.
The study documented inflammation before and after grounding with medical infrared imaging. By using thermal imaging cameras to record changes in skin temperatures, inflammation can be noted in hot areas across the body. After 4-6 days of sleeping on grounding mats, there was a significant reduction in pain and inflammation for participants. The study also showed that as time went on, participants continued to receive additional benefits, reduce inflammation and increased mobility without pain. One of the participants was a thirty-three-year-old woman who had a gymnastics knee injury when she was fifteen that resulted in chronic pain when walking, not being able to stand for an extended period of time, weakness and instability. After using grounding sheets for the first week, she noted a 50% reduction in pain and weakness. After one month she was able to participate in sports again, something she hadn’t been able to do in quite some time. By six months, she was running a half marathon, something she never thought she’d be able to do.
You may be wondering how on earth does grounding actually work? I was too.
The Earth is electronically active, with electrons floating on the surface. The human body naturally absorbs electricity from the Earth, which produces changes that affect our health. Today, most of us have little direct contact with the Earth, but historically, people used to spend more time outdoors with their feet and bodies in connected to the ground. Since we no longer do that often, if at all, our bodies build up positive electric charges that can’t be released unless we connect to the ground. Grounding neutralizes the charges by absorbing the negative electrons to balance our bodies out.
The premise of grounding is that connecting the body to the Earth enables free electrons from the Earth’s surface to spread over and into the body, having antioxidant effects. For wound healing, the electrons surround the injury with an antioxidant microenvironment to slow or prevent damage to healthy tissue. For chronic inflammatory diseases, the electrons from the Earth can prevent or resolve silent inflammation. Additional studies have been published finding a variety of benefits to grounding, including improved sleep, normalizing our cortisol rhythm, reducing stress, shifting to a parasympathetic nervous system response, increased heart rate variability, reduced blood viscosity, and even counteract cardiovascular, respiratory, neurodegenerative and autoimmune conditions, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.
Walking barefoot outside isn’t the only way to practice grounding. There is a wide variety of grounding products available for those who want to try it.
While some may enjoy walking barefoot through the grass or sand, most people prefer not to walk outside without shoes on. There are a variety of grounding systems available now that enable you to have frequent contact with the Earth, such as grounding sheets, mats, wrist or ankle bands, adhesive patches and earthing shoes. All of these options connect to the Earth by a cord into a grounded wall outlet or attach to a rod placed in the soil outside and below a window. If you do place a plug into an outlet, it’s important to make sure it’s properly grounded. You can do so with an outlet checker, and some product manufacturers include them when you buy a grounding product (or you can find one online or at a hardware store).
While there’s no set amount of time to practice grounding as it can be different for each person, most of the recommendations that I’ve found suggest starting with 10-20 minutes a day and build up to 30 minutes or more.
In today’s world, we’re always so busy and it feels impossible at times to squeeze out any more time in the day to take care of ourselves. Grounding products make it easier to incorporate it into your day while you’re doing something else like sleeping, cooking or working at your desk.
Grounding mat – mats are placed under your feet while you sit or stand or on your desk so it touches your hands and arms as you work.
Grounding sheets – sheets with a conductive material, usually silver or carbon, woven into the fabric that you sleep on. Note that silver can become oxidized due to washing and sweat, so grounding sheets can be less effective over time.
Grounding mattress pad – similar to grounding sheets, and can be slept directly on or placed under sheets.
Grounding socks – similarly made as grounding sheets, silver is typically added to the socks, and you can plug them into the wall or rod into the ground. There is also a type of grounding sock for those that want to be outside, but don’t feel comfortable going barefoot. These socks are made to attract electrons so your body can absorb them and you can wear them outdoors without shoes.
Grounding shoes – made with a conductive plug in the sole that allows electrons to pass to your body.
Grounding patches – an adhesive patch placed on your skin that is connected to a grounding port of an outlet.
Grounding rod – sometimes called earthing cords, these rods are placed in soil with a cord running through an open window or door to connect your grounding product.
Are there any risks associated with grounding?
Like with anything, there are some things to consider before trying grounding for the first time. It’s always important to check with your doctor before you try grounding because it could interact with pregnancy, allergies, existing nerve damage or issues with your feet. Some users have reported feeling a tingling sensation after spending more time connected to the Earth or a grounding product.
It's also recommended that you don’t use a plug-in grounding product during a thunderstorm as it can put you at risk for electrocution. Additionally, grounding enthusiasts suggest you check your outlets before plugging in a grounding device. If the outlet isn’t functioning correctly, it could cause an electric shock.
Overall, practicing grounding is relatively safe. While there are numerous medical studies showcasing how grounding can lead to better, improved health, there aren’t many proving that grounding can prevent diseases or replace modern medicine. It’s an additional tool in our proverbial therapeutic toolbox to help us feel better and heal.
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