We live in an electrified world surrounded by gadgets, appliances and wiring that constantly exposes us to electromagnetic fields (EMFs). With plenty of people becoming more and more sensitive to EMFs and suffering the health consequences of them, many people look for ways to reduce their exposure. One way to do that is earthing or grounding.
So how does being grounded help protect you from EMFs? Well, electrons are transferred from the Earth to the human body through physical connection to the Earth. We therefore equalise with the Earth’s electrical potential, giving us a net negative charge – just the way the body likes it!
But it’s not as simple as thinking the electrons from the ground are canceling out or neutralising the EMFs directly. The protective mechanism actually works through what is known as the “umbrella effect.”
Our bodies are conductors. To understand the umbrella effect, we first need to appreciate that our bodies are conductive due to the electrolytes and charged ions present, especially in our blood and cells. This allows alternating EMFs from sources like appliances and wiring to induce tiny currents and make our body’s electrons wiggle back and forth.
You can measure this effect by checking your body’s AC voltage with a multimeter – it will read higher when you are close to EMF sources compared to being further away. This increased “body voltage” happens because the EMFs are driving a movement of electrons inside you.
So when you become grounded or earthed, for example by going barefoot outside or using an earthing mat or bedsheet, your body’s electrical potential equalises with the electrical potential of the Earth itself (as I mentioned earlier).
By connecting your body to this vast electrical system of the Earth, your body essentially becomes an extension of it.
And this is where the protective “umbrella effect” comes into play. Once your body’s electrical potential matches the Earth’s, the EMFs experienced are deflected and pushed away from your body. It’s like opening up an umbrella – the umbrella doesn’t stop the rain, but it creates a deflected space around your body where the rain cannot enter.
When grounded, a person’s measured body voltage decreases by ~97% compared to being ungrounded around active EMF sources. The EMFs are being pushed away and your body is being shielded from creating induced electrical currents within.
Whether through being barefoot outdoors, using grounding mats or sheets, or installation of grounded floors, experiencing the umbrella shielding effect is a simple way to reduce your body’s unnatural exposure to electromagnetic fields and their potential health impacts.
As a naturopath, I will always prefer and suggest for the individual to ground “naturally” by going outside, barefoot and spending time in nature whenever and wherever possible. If you are EMF sensitive, just doing this activity each day, maybe numerous times per day may significantly reduce EMF sensitivity symptoms.
My name is Ash and I am a naturopath with a special interest in EMF sensitivity and helping people who struggle with this. If this is you, or someone you know, perhaps you would benefit from a naturopathic consultation with me!