Are there negative side effects of earthing? Earthing is an ancient practice dating back thousands of years. In fact, it’s been used since the dawn of civilization. The ancient Egyptians believed that grounding oneself in the earth helped one maintain balance and harmony. They built pyramids to help them achieve this state of being.
The benefits of connecting to the Earth are numerous. For example, you can experience better sleep, improved mood, increased energy levels, and decreased stress. You can even improve your digestion and boost your immune system.
How Does Earthing Work?
When we touch something, such as a table or chair, our body sends out electrical signals called electrostatic fields. These fields travel up to 10 feet away from the source. When we stand on the ground, the surface of the Earth acts like a giant capacitor. As a result, the negative charge on our body transfers to the positive charge on the Earth.
This transfer of electrons creates a current that flows into our body. Our skin becomes charged, too, and provides another pathway for electrons to flow into our body.
Can Earthing Be Dangerous?
However, while this sounds great, there is a potential downside to doing this. If you don’t know where you are standing, you might end up touching something dangerous. For example, if you’re walking along a road, you could accidentally touch a power cable or live wire. You could also touch a metal fence, or step into potholes.
While this doesn’t sound too serious, it does carry risks. As well as potentially causing electric shocks, you could also cause yourself damage. For instance, if you fall over and hit your head against a hard surface, you could suffer brain injuries.
What Are The negative side effects Of Earthing?
Risk Of Shock
The problem arises due to the fact that earthing devices are often used near sources of power such as computers, televisions, appliances, and even lighting fixtures. If you live in a house where there are multiple outlets nearby, it is easy to imagine how one might accidentally touch the metal prongs of an outlet without realizing it.
In addition, some earthing mats are designed to sit directly on the floor, which means that you may inadvertently step on them. When you combine the potential for accidental contact with a source of electricity with the presence of high voltages, you may end up receiving a dangerous shock.
Damage To The Nerves
The theory behind grounding is that when we connect with the Earth, we become less susceptible to the effects of EMF exposure. However, there are many different types of EMFs, and each one can affect the human body differently. Some studies show that EMFs can interfere with the functioning of the autonomic nervous system.
One study found that EMFs can damage the nerves in the spinal cord, causing symptoms including muscle weakness, numbness, tingling, burning sensations, headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Another study showed that EMFs can lead to nerve cell death.
Increased Risk Of Cancer
The World Health Organization says that there is a 95 per cent chance of staying safe from leukemia due to EMF exposure but there could be a small risk of developing the disease. This is because the body absorbs too much energy from electromagnetic fields.
However, it is vital that people understand the potential for certain types of cancer and in the case where you become grounded indoors, we must consider the potential for EMF exposure.
Dirty Electricity
But what happens when you put a grounded device inside the house? You are still able to benefit from the grounding properties of the Earth, but there is now a second layer of electrical current running through your body. This is known as ‘dirty electricity’ and it is very different to the clean earth current that you are receiving from touching the ground.
This dirty electricity can interfere with the way your brain processes information. It can make you feel anxious and depressed. And it can even lead to insomnia.
Conclusion
Earthing is an ancient practice that dates back thousands of years.
There are many ways to connect to the Earth, including grounding pads, earthing blankets, and earthing mats. We’ve also written about grounding mat dangers, so be sure to check that out.
Earthing is beneficial for health, but there are risks associated with it.
