The Biophysics of Earthing/Grounding

The earth is our home, but how often do we meet with it in our day? A child is naturally drawn to the outdoors and can spend hours playing on and with the different earth materials. Their hands and feet and whole bodies experience the joy of contact with these many substances. 

When we understand how our lives are entwined with nature and the rhythms of the earth, we recognise the gift this is to our health. Life is created on the surface of the earth. Lightning and the sun have given the surface an abundance of electrons. This resultant negative charge feeds our bodies with energy to fuel its many processes. Light only interacts with electrons. Biophysicists can measure and quantify this energy exchange.

The voltage on the earth’s surface measures -20mV to -25mV. The sun acts like a cathode in a reaction with the anode which is the earth. When an anode is bombarded by a cathode ray, the liberation of free electrons from the anode surface always occurs. The net negative charge on the earth is approximately 110 electrons per square micrometre, according to Dr. Gerald Pollack’s estimate. Humans are conduits in the charge channelling circuit between the sun and the earth, via the tensegrity system (fascia and extracellular matrix). We conduct through our skin (especially our sweat glands) and our mucosal surfaces. When we are grounded to the earth, there is less energy demand on our mitochondria. The tensegrity system functions more optimally when our body water carries more net negative charge and our cells have a higher negative voltage. Under full spectrum light and connected to the earth, muscles also function more optimally.

The solar wind, carrying electrons and protons from the sun, arrives at the earth’s magnetosphere. Here it compresses the earth’s magnetic field on the sunny side and lengthens it on the dark side. On the dark side of the earth magnetic fields dominate and induce electric charge flow, whilst on the sunny side of the earth, electric fields dominate and induce magnetic fields. In the next layer down, the ionosphere, the gases are heated and ionised into positive and negative ions, including free electrons. Currents are formed in the ionosphere around the earth’s magnetic field and charged particles collide, excite gases, which emit light of various wavelengths. These can be seen as auroras such as, auroras borealis and australis. The troposphere is the 16 km (10 mile) layer of atmosphere in which we live. When warm air from the earth rises and collides with cold air and ice crystals at the top of the troposphere, clouds form. Without this ice layer earth would lose all its water. In this process water drops and ice crystals in the cloud bump together creating static electrical charge. The positive charges accumulate in the upper part of the cloud and the negative charge in the bottom. So the cloud has become a type of battery. When the negative charge builds up, it creates a positive region on the earth below the cloud. Eventually the cloud discharges its energy and electrons to  the place on the earth with a positive charge. Lightening occurs. It is the lightning that allows the earth to maintain its surface negativity. Without lightning this would not be possible.

Delivering negative electrons to our body has many positive effects. One of the main ones is reducing inflammation, widely considered the cause of most of our diseases. This is possible when we stand barefoot and bare skinned on the earth’s soil, grass, sand or rocks. Our body absorbs the earth’s electrons quickly, distributing them where they are most needed. The result is a  neutralising of excess positive free radicals, calming of the nervous system, improved mood and cognition, reducing pain and inflammation. Our circadian clock gets into rhythm as our cortisol levels are normalised. Our sleep improves. 

Through the action of lightning, electromagnetic waves circle the earth about 7.8 times per second. This is called the Schumann resonance and is the heartbeat of the earth. It influences our body day and night. When we attune to this frequency of 7.8 Hz and its harmonics (14 Hz, 20 Hz etc) we are in a relaxed and calm state of mind. It calms our brain to an alpha state when we are in stillness. 

The brain oscillates from a deep sleep or restorative delta wave between 0.5Hz - 4Hz, all the way up to cognitive processing, heightened perception, learning, and integration of information at beta and gamma (4Hz - 30Hz and above). Experiments have shown that our brains are able to detect the magnetic field of the earth, especially when we are in an alpha state. It may be that tuning onto the earth’s Schumann resonance can help us attain a calm and still mind with an alpha waveform. 

• Cite: https://www.eneuro.org/content/6/2/ENEURO.0483-18.2019

Gaétan Chevalier, an engineering physicist, has shown that humans have a bioelectric body that changes when we are grounded to the earth. The electric charge can be measured through the body’s meridian system, in particular the kidney meridian which starts at the balls of the feet. Their research repeatedly found subjects showed a decrease in inflammation after grounding and an increase in parasympathetic activity of the internal organs. This means a reduction in stress and balancing of the autonomic nervous system.

Earthing also helpes to charge the red blood cells (RBCs) with a negative surface, high zeta potential, creating smooth flowing blood. This avoids the effect of increased blood viscosity leading to RBC clumping, poor circulation and vascular damage.

Not only does the earth provide an electric charge for us, it also gives us a natural magnetic field. We have evolved in these environments and are intimately attuned to them. When we are chronically detached from them, it creates disease. When people are isolated from earth’s magnetic field, cardiovascular and microcirculation problems occur after only 1 hour.

• Cite: Gurfinkel YI, At'kov OY, Vasin AL, Breus TK, Sasonko ML, Pishchalnikov RY. Effect of zero magnetic field on cardiovascular system and microcirculation. Life Sci Space Res (Amst). 2016 Feb;8:1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.lssr.2015.11.001. Epub 2015 Nov 19. PMID: 26948007. 

Everything we are surrounded by including ourselves is made up of energy. Every single cell in the body vibrates at a microscopic frequency. There is a natural pulsation to its activity. When cells are healthy, meaning when they are not damaged in some way and are able to efficiently metabolise nutrients and make ATP, their vibrational frequency is high. When cells are unhealthy their vibration slows. This can be thought of as low cell voltage. 

Some Basic Benefits:

• When you practise earthing or grounding you can help balance cortisol levels and reduce stress.

• When choosing the type of shoe you walk in, leather soles allow the energy to pass through compared with rubber which acts as an insulator. Practice earthing throughout the day and while you sleep, if you can make a safe electric and magnetic field sleeping environment. 

• Earthing has been shown to delay muscle soreness, balance the autonomic nervous system and increase Heart Rate Variability (HRV). It also acts as an antioxidant, neutralising free radicals.Grounding yourself boosts your mitochondria and makes you more thermodynamically efficient. It balances our pH and electrolyte levels. Grounding to the earth improves our immune system and assists healing and recovery. It has been shown to prevent and treat COVID 19 infection. Your gut microbiome relies on the negative electric charge to function well ,otherwise they secrete digestive enzymes that can harm your gut cell lining.

• If you are taking medications, it is important to begin with just one hour a day of earthing. Then gradually increase if you are feeling the benefits without side effects. 

However, earthing/grounding is not as simple in this modern world: Earth's magnetic and electric fields are strongest in places where flowing water, volcanoes and near edges of tectonic plates are located. In addition to this, magnetic fields also induce coherent domains of free electrons in the body's water. This water baths every protein in the human body providing an integrated communication network and battery for our entire body. It is important to mention here that man-made electric and magnetic fields from our AC power grid, solar inverters, power lines, technology devices, electric cars, refrigerators and so on are also detected by our body. In addition to these frequencies our environments are filled with a plethora of radiofrequency and microwave radiation. These mostly come from our wireless emitting devices including phones, cell phone towers, bluetooth and WiFi routers. These alien electromagnetic fields disrupt our internal electrical system, stressing the importance of connecting to nature more regularly. When we are grounded and surrounded by a native magnetic environment, our water networks can carry more free electrons and we generate more energy and water from our mitochondria.

The easiest and best source of electrons for our body is the earth. Get in touch frequently. Get outdoors and acclimatise. Find the most nature rich places, breathe them in and get earthed.

 Earthing cites and links

• Mousa HA. Prevention and treatment of COVID-19 infection by earthing. Biomed J. 2023 Feb;46(1):60-69. doi: 10.1016/j.bj.2022.08.002. Epub 2022 Aug 17. PMID: 35987499; PMCID: PMC9381424.

• Chevalier G, Sinatra ST, Oschman JL, Sokal K, Sokal P. Earthing: health implications of reconnecting the human body to the Earth's surface electrons. J Environ Public Health. 2012;2012:291541. doi: 10.1155/2012/291541. Epub 2012 Jan 12. PMID: 22291721; PMCID: PMC3265077.

•  Williams, E. R., & Heckman, S. J. (1993). The local diurnal variation of cloud electrification and the global diurnal variation of negative charge on the Earth. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 98(D3), 5221-5234.

• Anisimov, S. V., Mareev, E. A., & Bakastov, S. S. (1999). On the generation and evolution of aeroelectric structures in the surface layer. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 104(D12), 14359-14367.

• Oschman JL. Perspective: assume a spherical cow: the role of free or mobile electrons in bodywork, energetic and movement therapies. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2008 Jan;12(1):40-57. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2007.08.002. Epub 2007 Dec 3. PMID: 19083655.

• Sokal P, Sokal K. The neuromodulative role of earthing. Med Hypotheses. 2011 Nov;77(5):824-6. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2011.07.046. PMID: 21856083.

• Martel J, Chang SH, Chevalier G, Ojcius DM, Young JD. Influence of electromagnetic fields on the circadian rhythm: Implications for human health and disease. Biomed J. 2023 Feb;46(1):48-59. doi: 10.1016/j.bj.2023.01.003. Epub 2023 Jan 19. PMID: 36681118; PMCID: PMC10105029.

• Koniver L. Practical applications of grounding to support health. Biomed J. 2023 Feb;46(1):41-47. doi: 10.1016/j.bj.2022.12.001. Epub 2022 Dec 5. PMID: 36481428; PMCID: PMC10105020.

• Martel J, Ojcius DM. Is a return to nature a piece of the health puzzle? Biomed J. 2023 Feb;46(1):8-10. doi: 10.1016/j.bj.2023.02.002. Epub 2023 Feb 8. PMID: 36758944; PMCID: PMC10105008.

• Chevalier G, Sinatra ST, Oschman JL, Delany RM. Earthing (grounding) the human body reduces blood viscosity-a major factor in cardiovascular disease. J Altern Complement Med. 2013 Feb;19(2):102-10. doi: 10.1089/acm.2011.0820. Epub 2012 Jul 3. PMID: 22757749; PMCID: PMC3576907.

• https://www.healthydirections.com/articles/heart-health/boost-heart-health-through-grounding 

• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2319417022001706?utm_acid=82792186&SIS_ID=&dgcid=STMJ_AUTH_SERV_PUBLISHED&CMX_ID=&utm_in=DM327306

• http://alternative-therapies.com/openaccess/26-6_Elkin.pdf 

• https://journals.sfu.ca/seemj/index.php/seemj/article/view/9/7

• https://earthinginstitute.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Changes-in-Pulse-Rate-Study.pdf

• https://earthinginstitute.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Brown_Chevalier_Hill_earthing_delayed_muscle_2010.pdf

• https://earthinginstitute.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Emotional-stress-study.pdf

• https://earthinginstitute.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Sokal-and-Sokal-2012-Bioelectrical-processes.pdf

• https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/pdfplus/10.1089/acm.2011.0820

• Earthing during exercise lowers blood urea concentrations and may inhibit hepatic protein catabolism or increase renal urea excretion. Exertion under earthing may result in a positive protein balance. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2013/382643/

• https://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=51326#.VHDemfnF8SA

• https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.2466/06.pr0.116k21w5

• https://www.scirp.org/Journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=58836

• https://earthinginstitute.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Effects-of-Grounding-on-Body-Voltage-and-Current-in-the-Presence-of-Electromagnetic-Fields-2016.pdf