The Ignored Science of Grounding: 5 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Grounding

Grounding is nothing more than direct body contact with the earth's natural electrical charge.

Although it seems trivial, studies, although still few, have shown the significant effects of grounding on reducing inflammation, better blood flow, reducing pain, faster wound healing, better sleep or mood, among others.

Before going on to briefly discuss the research to date on the subject, it is essential to better understand the presumed main mechanism of action of grounding on the human body.

How does it works?

Grounding operates on the scientific premise that direct contact with the Earth's surface allows the transfer of a huge number of free electrons into the body.

These electrons are hypothesized to neutralize free radicals —positively charged molecules produced through normal cellular processes as well as injuries, infections etc., which can cause tissue damage by stripping electrons from healthy cells.

The introduction of Earth's electrons is thought to counteract this oxidative stress, acting as a potent anti-inflammatory and bolstering the immune system. (1, 2)

And in short:

Transfer of free electrons from Earth --> Neutralization of excess of free radicals in the body --> Reduced oxidative stress --> Decreased chronic and acute inflammation --> Enhanced immune system function.

Shown benefits:

1. Blood viscosity & cardiovascular health.

Blood viscosity refers to the thickness and stickiness of blood, playing a crucial role in cardiovascular health by affecting blood flow and the risk of clot formation.

In a 2013 study by Chevalier et al., grounding was shown to significantly improve blood flow.

The methodology involved 10 healthy subjects sitting in a relaxed atmosphere while grounded for 2 hours, with blood samples taken before and after the grounding session.

Results indicated a dramatic increase in zeta potential, about 270% on average, signifying a stronger negative charge on the surface of red blood cells. This increase promotes cell repulsion, reducing blood clumping and viscosity, thus enhancing blood flow.

The study, despite lacking control groups, concluded that grounding naturally thins the blood, potentially offering a simple yet profound intervention to lower cardiovascular risk and events. (3)

In research by Brown & Chevalier, the impact of biological grounding during yoga on blood viscosity was studied in a group of 28 participants. Participants were divided into two groups: those grounded (n=14) and those sham-grounded (n=14) during yoga exercises.

Results showed that the grounded group experienced significant reductions in both diastolic (p=0.031) and systolic (p=0.032) blood viscosity post-exercise, compared to the sham-grounded group.

This suggests that grounding can specifically contribute to lower blood viscosity beyond the relaxation effect (4)

A pilot case series in a cardiology practice investigated grounding's effect on high blood pressure (BP) by having patients ground themselves at home for at least 10 hours daily over several months.

BP was measured at baseline and then three times at monthly intervals in the clinic, with additional measurements taken twice daily three times a week for 12 weeks.

Results from all 10 patients showed significant improvements, with systolic BP decreasing by 8.6% to 22.7% across individuals, averaging a 14.3% reduction.

This very small study suggested grounding may be a safe and effective therapy for reducing BP. (5)

In a study examining the effects of earthing on facial blood circulation, 40 middle-aged volunteers were divided into grounded and sham-grounded groups.

Participants sat in recliner chairs equipped with grounding mats, pillows, and patches, which were connected to the Earth via a grounding wire.

Infrared imaging captured before and after one hour of earthing showed significant improvements in blood and fluid circulation throughout the torso, enhancing blood delivery to the head and facial circulation.

This led to better autonomic nervous system control of body fluids and peripheral blood flow, potentially improving facial tissue health, skin vitality, and appearance. (6)

The above study suggests that the role of grounding not only in the health field but in the entire field of skincare may be significantly underestimated.

Grounding can improve facial blood flow (potentially aiding in skin tissue repair), reduce secondary injuries and nerve sensitization.

2. Pain reduction

The study by Haider Abdul-Lateef Mousa on earthing demonstrated marked health improvements, with a mean recovery time of 2.9 days from various symptoms, significantly shorter than the average illness duration of 8.9 days.

Notably, a critically ill patient experienced a substantial increase in blood oxygen levels after two days of earthing.

The research indicated earthing's potential for reducing illness duration and its preventive benefits, alongside mentioning enhanced pain relief in COVID-19 patients following grounding practices. (7)

Müller et al. assessed the impact of sleeping grounded versus sham-grounded on athletic recovery and muscle soreness in individuals after intensive exercise.

The study involved 12 participants sleeping grounded and 10 sham-grounded, focusing on recovery metrics following eccentric muscle loading.

The results indicated that those who slept grounded experienced a less significant decline in performance, a lower rise in creatine kinase (a marker of muscle damage), and improved recovery.

This was evidenced by reduced inflammation markers and maintained hemoconcentration levels, suggesting grounded sleep facilitates better athletic recovery and less muscle damage compared to sham-grounding.

They concluded: “Grounding might be seen as a simple methodology to enhance acute and long-term recovery after intensive exercises within the training process or following intensive competitions.” (8)

Exercise induced pain and inflammation was also reduced following grounding in other studies. (9, 10)

3. Health of infants

In a 2017 study at the Pennsylvania State University Children's Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, researchers explored the effects of earthing on premature infants.

The method involved attaching an Earthing patch, akin to an EKG electrode, to the infants' skin while they were in their incubators or cribs, with the patch wire connected to the hospital's grounding system.

The results were immediate and significant, showing improvements in autonomic nervous system functioning (crucial for regulating inflammatory and stress responses).

Specifically, earthing significantly increased heart rate variability (HRV), indicative of improved vagal tone. HRV, the beat-to-beat variations in heart rate, reflects the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system. (11)

4. Sleep & Cortisol

In a study on the effects of grounding on sleep and circadian cortisol profiles, 12 subjects experiencing pain and sleep issues were grounded during sleep for 8 weeks using a conductive mattress pad in their own beds.

The methodology involved pregrounding baseline saliva tests for cortisol, followed by repeated testing at 6 weeks to assess changes in the 24-hour circadian cortisol profile. Additionally, subjects reported their symptoms of sleep dysfunction, pain, and stress daily.

The results demonstrated measurable improvements in diurnal cortisol profiles, with significant reductions in cortisol levels during night-time sleep, indicating a trend towards normalization of the 24-hour circadian cortisol profile.

Subjective reports from nearly all subjects noted reduced or eliminated symptoms of sleep dysfunction, pain, and stress.

The study concludes that grounding the human body to the Earth during sleep can reduce night-time cortisol levels and realign cortisol secretion more closely with the natural circadian rhythm. (12)

One 2022 study explored grounding as a non-pharmacological therapy for sleep disturbances in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease (AD), finding that grounding significantly improved sleep quality.

Over 12 weeks, 22 patients with mild AD were monitored, but only 15 completed the study.

Utilizing the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, researchers observed notable improvements in sleep scores for those in the grounding group compared to the sham-grounding group. (13)

5. Stress & mood

As many studies have shown, including the one already mentioned above, earthing has been shown to significantly reduce stress and enhance mood by normalizing the autonomic nervous system, as evidenced by improved heart rate variability and vagal tone, and regulating the stress hormone cortisol. (14, 15, 16)

Interestingly, a recent 2023 study has shown similar effects on animals, specifically, on Sprague-Dawley male rats, which were divided into groups: normal, stressed, and stressed with earthing mat exposure for 7 or 21 days.

Behavioral tests indicated that the earthing mat significantly increased time spent in the open arm of an elevated plus maze, suggesting reduced anxiety.

Additionally, the earthing mat groups showed decreased expression of stress-related hormones and markers in the brain, such as corticotrophin-releasing factor and c-Fos, compared to the control group.

These findings imply that earthing mats can mitigate stress-related behaviors and neurohormonal changes in animals as well. (17)

Bonus: meditation

A study explored the effects of grounding during meditation on brain function in 10 long-time meditators, using EEG brain mapping to compare grounded versus non-grounded meditation sessions.

Participants meditated in a conductive chair, grounded for a 40-minute mid-session period through conductive cords and hand patches.

Results indicated a deeper meditation experience when grounded, with about half of the participants showing EEG improvements in brain function.

Specifically, increases in Alpha waves in the frontal lobes (linked to emotional control) and Theta waves (associated with internal focus and meditation) were observed, alongside a reduction in tendencies toward brain disorders. (18)

How do you ground yourself effectively?

Grounding does not require special attention, it can be done at any time (while working, sleeping, eating, etc.) in almost any place (outside, at your desk, in your bedroom, etc.). It is also not very expensive and can be done even for free.

Methods:

• Walk Barefoot: walking barefoot on grass, soil, sand, or concrete to directly connect with the Earth's surface.
• Grounding Mats: Using grounding mats under your feet or under your computer keyboard while working.
• Grounding Sheets or Pillows: Sleeping on grounding sheets or/and grounding pillows.
• Grounding Footwear: Wearing shoes with grounding technology, such as conductive soles, to maintain a connection to the Earth.
• Other grounding devices to buy.

NOTE: for effective grounding in the house it is worth checking that we have a grounded outlet, or alternatively you can use a wire and connect to the grounding rod outside.

Summary:

Although we still have few studies on grounding so far, these results seem clinically relevant enough to be convincing and worth applying. Especially since it is a method with no side effects, inexpensive and requires little commitment.

21.02.2024