This excerpt is quoted from an article in the Journal of Inflammation Research: (Oschman, Chevalier, and Brown, 2015)
Grounding or earthing refers to direct skin contact with the surface of the Earth, such as with bare feet or hands, or with various grounding systems… Multi-disciplinary research has revealed [this] electrically conductive contact of the human body with the surface of the Earth produces intriguing effects on physiology and health. Such effects relate to inflammation, immune responses, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases… Specifically, grounding … produces measurable differences in the concentrations of white blood cells, cytokines, and other molecules involved in the inflammatory response. We present several hypotheses to explain observed effects, based on current research results and our understanding of the electronic aspects of cell and tissue physiology, cell biology, biophysics, and biochemistry… Our main hypothesis is that connecting the body to the Earth enables free electrons from the Earth’s surface to spread over and into the body, where they can have antioxidant effects. Specifically, we suggest that mobile electrons create an antioxidant microenvironment around the injury repair field, slowing or preventing reactive oxygen species (ROS) delivered by the oxidative burst from causing “collateral damage” to healthy tissue.
Connecting to the Earth’s natural energy field can provide a source of electron donors which reduce inflammation and speed repair processes. One can’t see the Earth’s energy but some people can feel it as a warm, tingling, and pleasant sensation when they are out walking barefoot along the water’s edge at the beach, or on a stretch of dew-moistened grass.
I have tried earthing and feel a tremendous benefit from sleeping grounded. At our home we’ve placed “earthing sheets” on all our beds, and everyone sleeps soundly through the night. The sheets are made with a special conductive silver thread, and a wire connects the grounding sheet to the 3rd hole on an electric outlet (the grounding hole). Sheets and other grounding supplies are available from www.earthing.com
References:
Oschman, J. L., Chevalier, G., & Brown, R. (2015). The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Journal of inflammation research, 8, 83-96. doi:10.2147/JIR.S69656
