Earthing Debunked: What Is Grounding and How Does It Work?

Grounding matters because research has been shown to have a range of potential health benefits and can even have an effect on the regulation of genes associated with inflammation.

In this blog post, we will explore the history of grounding, starting with its origins in traditional medicine and its early investigations. We will also delve into the physiological mechanisms behind grounding, including the role of electrons and inflammation in the body.

Additionally, we will discuss some practical tips for how to incorporate grounding into your daily routine as well as some recommendations for the safe and effective use of grounding products in the comfort of your own home.

What Is the Science Behind Grounding and What Does It Mean?

This practice is based on the idea that the earth's surface has a negative charge, and that when we come into contact with it, our bodies can absorb the earth’s free electrons, which can help to balance our own infinite internal electrical systems. 

Electrons play a vital role in the functioning of our bodies. They are involved in many important processes, including energy production and communication between cells. 

However, in today's modern world, we are constantly exposed to EMR (Electromagnetic Radiation) from electronic devices, which can disrupt the natural balance of electrons in our bodies, which can lead to inflammation, oxidative stress, and other health problems.

Various scientific studies have explored the benefits of grounding. For example, one study found that grounding can help to reduce chronic back pain and improve sleep quality. 

Another study found that grounding can reduce inflammation and improve wound healing in rats. While more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind these benefits, grounding is a safe and simple practice that anyone can try.

What Are the Benefits of Grounding?

Grounders all from around the world have found a variety of benefits such as improved sleep, reduced pain and inflammation, lowered stress levels, enhanced athletic performance and recovery.

One of the most common benefits of grounding is improved sleep quality and duration. By balancing the electrical charge in your body, grounding can help you fall asleep faster and achieve a deeper, more restful sleep. It's like being rocked to sleep by Mother Earth herself!

Another benefit of grounding is a reduction in pain and inflammation. Whether you're experiencing chronic pain, an injury, or sore muscles from a workout, grounding can help reduce inflammation by reducing free radicals and promoting antioxidant activity in the body.

It has also been found to lower stress levels and improve mood. Another study found that grounding can lower cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress, and increase the production of endorphins, the body's natural mood-enhancers.

For athletes, grounding can help enhance performance and speed up recovery. Grounding has been found to improve blood flow, which can enhance oxygen and nutrient delivery to muscles. It's like turbocharging your body's engine! These are just a few of the many potential benefits of grounding.

How Can I Incorporate Grounding Into My Everyday Wellness Routine?

Incorporating grounding into your routine is easier than you might think!

There are a variety of techniques you can use.

Clint Ober says the more you can fit in, the better. Plus, it's a great excuse to kick off your shoes and feel like a kid again! Grounding sandals are cool as the soles are made from special materials that allow you to be grounded when you walk on grass, mud or concrete. Lovely. 

Start incorporating some ancestral living techniques and embrace your inner hippie with a barefoot walk in nature where there are plenty of trees & wildlife with little to no noise and flat, soft ground. Avoid sharp or protruding objects like sticks, nails, screws and glass. 

Remember grass, soil and sand are all highly conductive surfaces (especially damp or wet)

Concrete works as a good conductor too if you do not have access to these.

Try to avoid standing on wood, asphalt or dry rock as these are poor conductors. 

We think this works best on a spring/autumn morning when it’s misty and wet. Climb a clay hill, take your shoes off and check in on how you feel! 

You could begin to use our grounding products. Check out our other blog on how to ground yourself indoors to learn more about our wide selection we currently have to offer.

They are versatile and can be used whilst sleeping, doing yoga and even as a desk mat for work.

The feeling can be described as an electrical energy flow from the earth being distributed around your body to bring it back into harmony.

If you are in the garden, try going barefoot.

Become aware of how you feel, ask yourself what is happening here within my body and feel the energy flow through.

Become present in the moment, take some deep breaths and think of the earth, trees, you, and other living things around you as a collective consciousness.

erthe by Earthling 3.0 Grounding Straps are great as you can attach them to your shoe so you can make sure you are grounded going about your day-to-day.

Conclusion

Incorporating grounding into your daily routine can be as simple as spending time outside, walking barefoot on the grass, taking a stroll on the beach or using a grounding mat.

By making grounding a regular part of your routine, you could experience improved sleep, reduced pain and inflammation, and enhanced athletic performance, among other benefits. 

Whilst it is a fairly unknown concept, it is very easy to incorporate into a routine.  Simply sleeping with grounding sheets or using a grounding mat at your feet or hands whilst working can provide benefits that you may not even be aware of.

While grounding may not be a cure-all, it has been shown to be a safe and effective way to support your overall health and well-being. It is always a good idea to consult with a healthcare practitioner before using grounding products, especially if you have any underlying medical conditions. 

Overall, incorporating grounding into your life can be an enjoyable and accessible way to reconnect with the natural world and promote a greater sense of inner peace and well-being.

Recommended Grounding Products

References

1. Clint Ober. (2014). Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever? 2nd Edition. Basic Health Publications, Inc.

2. Ghaly, M., & Teplitz, D. (2004). The biologic effects of grounding the human body during sleep as measured by cortisol levels and subjective reporting of sleep, pain, and stress. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 10(5), 767-776.

3. Chevalier, G., Mori, K., & Oschman, J. L. (2006). The effect of Earthing (grounding) on human physiology. European Biology and Bioelectromagnetics, 2(1), 600-621.

4. Sinatra, S. T., & Oschman, J. L. (2012). Earthing: health implications of reconnecting the human body to the Earth's surface electrons. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2012, 291541.

5. Ober, C., Sinatra, S. T., & Zucker, M. (2010). Earthing: the benefits of connecting with the Earth's electrons. Alternative and Complementary Therapies, 16(6), 292-298.

6. Gaétan Chevalier, Stephen T. Sinatra, James L. Oschman, Karol Sokal, Pawel Sokal. (2012). Earthing (Grounding) the Human Body Reduces Blood Viscosity—A Major Factor in Cardiovascular Disease. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 18(2), 1-10.

7. Karol Sokal, Paweł Sokal, James L. Oschman, Gaétan Chevalier, and Stephen T. Sinatra. (2013). Earthing the Human Body Influences Physiologic Processes. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 19(2), 102-110.

8. Ober, C., & Sinatra, S. T. (2017). Grounding the human body: The healing benefits of earthing. Global Advances in Health and Medicine, 6, 2164957X17725972.

9. Oschman, J. L. (2009). Charge transfer in the living matrix. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 13(3), 215-228.

10. Johannes Stalpers, Gerard C. van Rhoon, and Jacoba van der Zee. (2007). The Validity of Radiofrequency Simulations Used for SAR Calculations in Homogeneous Muscle Tissue. IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, 54(11), 2027-2035.

11. Chevalier, G., Sinatra, S. T., Oschman, J. L., Sokal, K., & Sokal, P. (2012). Earthing: health implications of reconnecting the human body to the Earth's surface electrons. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2012, 291541.

Disclaimer