In a high-tech age, why is the concept of Earthing so important?
What is most profound about Earthing is that it is so natural and simple, and that it affects every aspect of human physiology. When you ground yourself, the entire body readjusts to a new level of functioning, the level, in fact, it seems to have been designed for throughout evolution. Many people who have lived Earthed for some years say that they do not want to go back to living ungrounded. They feel the difference. Living Earthed broadly elevates your quality of life to a level that seems not otherwise possible.
James Oschman, Ph.D., an internationally-renowned expert on energy medicine and a member of our board of advisors, describes the phenomenon thusly: “Recently I attended a meeting on the East coast. One of my colleagues came in from the West coast. She had a bad case of jet lag. I told her to take her shoes and socks off and step outside on the grass for 15 minutes. When she came back in, she was completely transformed. Her jet lag was gone. That is how fast Earthing works. Anyone can try this. If you don’t feel well, for whatever reason, just make barefoot contact with the Earth for a few minutes and see what happens. Of course, if you have a medical problem, you should see a doctor. There is nothing that comes close to Earthing for quick relief. You can literally feel pain draining from your body the instant you touch the Earth.”
Why does the Earth’s electric field transfer so easily to the body?
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The body is mostly water and minerals. It is a good conductor of electricity (electrons). The free electrons on the surface of the Earth are easily transferred to the human body as long as there is direct contact. Unfortunately, synthetically-soled shoes act as insulators so that even when we are outside we do not connect with the Earth’s electric field. When we are in homes and office buildings, we are also insulated and unable to receive the Earth’s balancing energies.
What is the difference between the Earth’s electric field and the electric field used to conduct electricity in my home?
The Earth’s electric field is mainly a continuous direct current (DC) producing field. Throughout history, life on the planet has attuned our biology to this subtle field. By comparison, home wiring systems in the U.S. use 60-cycle per second alternating current (AC). Unless at very low frequency (less that 10 cycles per second) and/or low power, alternating current is foreign to our biology. AC, and other forms of man-made environmental electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are being researched as possible factors in a variety of stress-related responses. Many people are sensitive to EMFs. Studies show an “association,” but not cause and effect, between living near power lines (or exposure to EMFs on the job) and higher rates of health problems.
How much “current” is actually being transferred from the Earth's surface via the wire to a grounding product?
There is no constant measurable current flow beyond the equalization charge that is instantly transferred to the body when a person lies on a conductive sheet or makes contact with another type of Earthing product. We are talking about numbers of electrons in the trillions and quadrillions. Once the body is grounded, the rate of influx changes, and the body will only absorb that amount of electrons needed to maintain the same electrical potential as the Earth and to restore what is lost in the body’s metabolic processes. It may take many quadrillions to get the body stable. As long as a person continues to be grounded, the body can use the Earth as a natural reservoir, or “power source,” of electrons to maintain a “topped up” homeostatic level that compensates for any attrition of internal electrons. With connection to the Earth, it would thus seem hard for the body to develop any electron deficiency, and, theoretically, any chronic inflammation. The actual amount of charge (electrons transferred) would vary significantly based upon location of the body above the Earth (voltage) and any potential electrostatic charge that has built up on the body. The continuing amount of electrons absorbed by the body to reduce metabolic and immune response free radicals would also vary significantly between people depending upon their life style and activity. This is all extremely difficult, if not impossible, to measure.
What is the difference between the Earthing technology and the use of magnets?
Although the use of magnets produce some therapeutic effects when properly applied, magnets cannot provide free electrons, nor can they connect the body with the naturally balancing electric frequencies of the Earth. Earthing technology used inside your home or office connects you with the Earth’s electrons in the same way as if you were standing barefoot on ground outside.
Can I wear any type of footwear and still be earthed?
No. Standard plastic/rubber or composite soles do not conduct the Earth’s electric energy. Most shoes today are made from those materials. You need leather or hide soles, which used to be the primary footwear materials in the past. Leather itself isn’t conductive, but the foot perspires and the moisture permits conduction of the energy from the Earth through the leather and up into the body. In addition, moisture from walking on damp ground or sidewalks could permeate up into the leather soled shoe. Thickness of the sole can also be a factor, and specifically that a very thick leather sole may not allow the moisture through. Moccasins are the best type of natural conductive footwear. Leather isn’t quite as good as bare feet on the ground but certainly much, much better than standard soles that are insulating. Hopefully soon shoe companies will begin making grounded shoes.
Can I ground myself outside by wearing electrostatic discharge (ESD) footwear?
ESD shoes are primarily designed for discharging static electricity but to a degree they ground the body beneficially. They are better than regular shoes but not as good as going barefoot. The difference between grounding and static discharge is that grounding instantly equalizes your body at Earth’s potential. Static discharge, generally called a soft ground or a dissipative ground, has an inline 1 meg ohm resistor in the ground cord which is design to slowly bleed off static electrical charges (contact and separation charges). These charges are created on the body by clothing and shoes whenever you move your clothing with arm movement or walk or sit on any synthetic material. The ESD industry uses dissipative grounding to prevent a rapid discharge of static electricity that might otherwise blow an electronic circuit or sensitive chip.
Does Earthing occur if I work, stand, or walk barefooted on a ceramic tile floor?
It depends on whether the tile floor sits on a concrete slab or on the ground. If directly on a slab or ground, the energy could come through. If the tile sits on plywood or some other kind of wood, plastic, or vinyl understructure, you are not likely to get any conductivity. It also depends on what kind of tile. Ceramic tile with a glazed finish on the surface will, like glass, probably prevent conductivity.
I live in a warm climate where we are reluctant to go out barefoot due to parasites in the soil like hookworm and roundworm. The soil never gets cold enough for the parasites to die off.
If being barefoot outside is risky, Earthing sheets and mats allow you to be grounded inside. The best opportunity to gain the many benefits of Earthing is to sleep grounded.
Can Earthing protect me from cell phone frequencies?
The protective potential of Earthing has not been tested yet on cell phone exposure. There is no research indicating that Earthing will or will not protect a person from exposure to cell phones signals, microwave radiation, or radio frequencies. What we know is that Earthing reduces significantly the induced body voltages generated by simple exposure to common household 60 Hz EMFs continuously emitted by all plugged-in electrical cords (even if the appliance is off), internal wiring, and all ungrounded electrical devices in the home or office. Based in the cases we have seen of people extremely sensitive to such EMFs it is prudent to be grounded as much as possible in the home or office.
If I sleep on the ground in a sleeping bag am I grounded?
Some part of your body needs to be in direct contact with the Earth in order for you to get the full benefit of Earthing. The skin of your body needs to come in contact with the “skin of the Earth.” It can be a bare foot, or arm, for instance, sticking out of the sleeping bag in contact with the Earth.
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