About Earthing

Important Health Advisory For People On Medication
A Personal Introduction To Earthing
How And Why Earthing Works On The Human Body?
Earth’s Electricity Vs. An Electrical Outlet
Earthing And Electrical Safety
How Grounded Is The Average Person?
The Most Common Health Benefit: Improved Sleep
List Of Health Benefits Of Body Earthing
A Very Special Benefit Of Earthing: Lower Blood Pressure
How To Connect Your Body To The Earth?
What Is The Best Time For Earthing?
How Long Does It Take For Earthing To Start Working?
Who Can Benefit From Earthing?
How Long To Stay Grounded For Real Results?
Localized Treatments: Earthing Where The Pain Is
Is Too Much Earthing Possible?
Possible Symptoms After Starting Earthing
Earthing As An Anti-Aging Treatment?
How Is Earthing Connected To Fighting Inflammation?

The physical and emotional health benefits of Earthing may sound too good to be true at first, but it is more than likely, that after you start getting grounded, you will call or e-mail everyone you know and care about, to spread the word about this amazing, natural and forgotten healing source.

It will take an open mind and the willingness to do some research, but after the initial introduction, Earthing seems to make sense to most. If Earthing sounds too “New Age” at first, it soon will become obvious, that Earthing is anything but “New Age”.

Actually that knee-jerk, sceptically and negative branding could not be further from the truth. Earthing is truly “Old Age”, as throughout its history, up until recently, humanity was a lot more connected to the Earth.

After my first night of amazing, deep and grounded sleep, I fell in love with Earthing so much, that I wanted to reach more people than just a few friends. So I decided to start this blog.

Important Health Advisory For People On Medication

Yes, walking barefoot, swimming in the ocean or laying on the ground may sound like the most natural and harmless activities. But in our chronically ill and over-medicated society, words of caution is warranted.

Patients using blood-thinning, hypertension, thyroid and blood sugar medications or any other combination of multiple medications are advised to get medical advice and approval before starting prolonged Earthing, i.e. sleeping Earthed (using grounded sheets).
This is because Earthing has a blood-thinning and other physiological effects.

People on certain medication(s), under their physician’s supervision, may be able to reduce or even stop some of their meds, as Earthing may stabilize certain imbalances and may heal inflammation.

Please read the complete Medical Disclaimer before starting Earthing.

A Personal Introduction To Earthing

During the last century, people in modern and industrial societies lost their most basic birth right: physically being in touch with the planet! The culprits were many of the conveniences we could not imagine living without.

The change from our previous non-stop physical connection to the Earth got so severe, that some people may go days, weeks or longer without their body being grounded. In addition, static electricity build-up and prolonged exposure to EMF (electromagnetic field) dramatically tilts the balance of our bodies’ electrical potential (electrical charge).

The subject of not being spiritually connected to Earth has been hammered away to the extent, that it is almost just static background noise. The big difference is that Body Earthing is not about a spiritual or emotional connection, but a literal, physical one.

The concept of Earthing is a lot more tangible than a conceptual, abstract idea, i.e. the “Save the Earth” movement or caring about plants and animals.

One would think that after this obviously unnatural separation is discovered and brought forth, all discussions would stop and every man, woman, child, indoor pet and indoor plant would immediately be grounded by a “Global Earthing Movement”. It is not quite so, at least not until there is a tipping point.

Accepting the merits of Body Earthing does not test or challenge the personal belief structure of the individual. Earthing will make sense regardless of religious affiliation or lack there of. Since every living thing is “full time” or “part time” connected to Earth, most people’s common sense will accept that Earthing is natural and is missing from our modern way of living.

The benefits and importance of his vital and age old connection to the physical Earth has curiously not been part of mainstream knowledge. Shocking it may be, but the subject of Body Earthing is often foreign, unknown or dismissed by professionals in the medical field.

How is it possible that “Nature’s Most Powerful Antioxidant” has not been on the cover of all major magazines? Even though Earthing has been coined as “Vitamin G” as in Vitamin Ground, it does not automatically fit into our current pill-prescribing health care culture.

The Past And Future Of Earthing

What’s interesting is how this knowledge has been present and has survived in some cultures. For example in Scandinavia, walking in wet grass in the morning is known to keep the body healthy and ensure its longevity. In Native American culture, it is customary to dig a hole in the Earth and place their sick in there for days, as a treatment. (Not by burying them but by lowering them, having them surrounded by the Earth.)

The later is one of the most glaring examples of the many differences between traditional and modern medicine. Let’s compare the sophistication of antibiotics via digging a hole to placing a person in it. I owe a disclaimer here: no, I am not suggesting that Earthing should take the place of all antibiotic treatments, but I would love to see just a fraction of antibiotic research funds being used for studies about Grounding!

Earthing is free, if done naturally, and affordable if done using Earthing products. Certainly very affordable comparing to drug, treatment or hospital costs.

So it is safe to say, that Big Pharma-type money will not be available anytime soon for Grounding research. At least not until the market realizes the potential in every pair of shoe, every house, hotel, hospital, restaurant, workplace, every type of transportation, etc. being grounded.

The good news is that via the Internet, more and more anecdotal stories and real medical data of the health benefits of Grounding are being shared. There may be a tipping point in the not too distant future when grounding will be as accepted and as widely practiced as brushing teeth.

Earthing will move beyond being trendy and become the social norm. Not being grounded would be frowned upon, like the current consumption of unhealthy junk food.

How And Why Earthing Works On The Human Body?

It all starts with lightning! It is quite poetic that the “active ingredient” of Earthing, Earth’s negative electrons, produced by something so awesome and seemingly so untameable as lightning.

Yet every barefoot step (and every second of being grounded naturally or via an Earthing product) is how humans and all living beings have been harnessing the power of lightning.

Approximate Global Lightning Statistics

• number of thunderstorms happening at any given time: 2000
• number of lightning strikes over the Earth per second: 100
• 100 per second = 6000 per minute, 360,000 per hour, 8,640,000 lightnings per day (lightning statistics source)

Lightnings continually replenish Earth’s negative electron supply, thus making it negatively charged. Our body carries positive charge while insulated from Earth. As soon as our body makes a physical connection with Earth, the negatively charged electrons enter our bodies, balancing out our positive charge.

All this can be checked easily with an inexpensive volt meter.

The Healing Power Of The Planet

Our bodies, like all electrical systems, need to be in a balanced state to function optimally. When the negatively charged Earth connects with the positively charged You, electrical balance occurs.

For most, this vital equilibrium is missing due to our insulated lifestyles. Earth’s healing electrons “automatically” seek out and target inflammation and other ailments.

The lack of electrons, thus the surplus of positive charge and the lack of electrical balance effect the human body in numerous ways. Grounding protects our bodies from static electricity build-up and EMF (electromagnetic fields), which are the “byproduct” of modern living.

Earth’s Electricity Vs. An Electrical Outlet

Our Planet’s electric charge consist of direct current (DC). Throughout the lives of all living beings, more or less this continuous current has partially shaped and effected their evolution, including ours.

The electricity we use via the outlets and wiring is alternating current (AC). These are fundamentally two very different ways of how electricity travels. Alternating current, unless very low frequency is foreign to our body.

The effects of this foreign type of electricity are far reaching, not only figuratively but literally as well, in the form of EMF (electromagnetic field). Not being grounded means that EMF and static electricity can build up in our bodies and cause abnormalities and imbalances.

Some of the possible consequences of exposure to EMF and static electricity may include childhood leukemia, brain tumors, some types of cancer, birth defects, miscarriages and currently still unknown health problems.

Earthing And Electrical Safety

This is a quick summary of a subject, that deserves more research on the part of everyone who wants to start Earthing.

Earthing during lightning and thunderstorms

Lightning usually finds the least resistance to the ground. While the person is indoors and in an urban environment, this path is usually does not lead indoors but through metal pipes, fixtures or metal structures.

Best practice: disconnect your Earthing device during lightning and thunderstorms

Connecting Earthing products into electrical outlets

When a direct connection to the earth (via an Earthing wire and grounding rod) is not possible, Earthing products are connected to the ground part of the common electrical outlet.

Earthing products connected this way are at no time in contact with actual electricity.

Special note about electrical outlet safety: although an outlet may look grounded from the outside, it my not be wired so. Always test your outlet using a socket tester, which can be purchased for a few dollars.

Earthing and electrical or electronic devices

Earthing products have a 100kohm resistor built into their cords, which reduces the danger of an electric shock from a shorted device to a manageable and safe level. For this reason, homemade Earthing connections are not recommended as they would lack this important resistor component.

How Grounded Is The Average Person?

Let’s do a walkthrough of the average weekday of an average person, living in a modern and urban environment. How long is the average body is grounded during a 24hr period?

• shower, breakfast, getting dressed – not grounded
• commute, work, commute – not grounded
• gym, yoga class, riding bicycle – not grounded
• running, walking dog – not grounded
• dinner at home or eating out – not grounded
• watching late night tv or using computer – not grounded
• romantic activities, sleep – not grounded

In Summary, Your Body Is Only Grounded If

• barefoot or wearing conducting shoes that are touching the Earth, grass, water or any conducting surface under your feet
• touching a conductive material (i.e. metal) connected to the Earth via metal wire

These are the only ways Earthing takes place and the positive electrical surplus charge (electrical potential) of the body is stabilized.

How Could We Be Grounded For Longer?

• breakfast – with grounding mat under bare feet, sitting on grounded sheet or blanket with skin contact
• commute – with a grounded car seat or by walking in leather soled shoes on the actual ground/grass etc. and not on asphalt
• gym, yoga class outdoors – exercise barefoot, without standing on an isolating synthetic mat (i.e. kettle bell or yoga workout in park, lakeside or beach)
• gym, yoga class indoors – exercise while standing on an Earthing mat or use treadmill etc. while grounded via an Earthing wrist band
• running, walking dog – by walking in leather soled shoes on the actual ground/grass etc. and not on asphalt
• dinner at home, watching late night tv or using computer – with grounding mat under bare feet, sitting on grounded sheet or blanket with skin contact
• romantic activities, sleep – by using grounded mattress or bed covers

The Most Common Health Benefit: Improved Sleep

If there is a question: What Is The Most Profound Change That Earthing Will Bring?, the answer is deeper sleep and faster falling asleep. A great sleep should be the most natural activity, and achieving it should come without effort every night.

In the United States, an approximate 50-70 million adults have a sleep or wakefulness disorder. Many of these people, because they are physically and emotionally suffer from insomnia, resort to using prescription medication as a sleep aid, like Ambien.

By Googling: “Ambien side effects”, “Ambien sleepwalking”, “Ambien sleepwalking stories”, “Ambien overdose” or related searches, one can get a clearer picture of the severity of this epidemic.

If we consider the purpose and process of sleep, medicating during a time of rest, recovery and regeneration is one of the most unhealthy ways to live.

Probably one of the fastest, most noticeable and most appreciated health benefits of Earthing is simply better sleep. The marked improvement usually is noticed after the very first night of grounded sleep.

Related Benefits Connected To Better Sleep

• decreased dependency on morning coffee or coffee throughout the day
• ability to ween off sleep aids, including Ambien
• more productivity at work
• more energy throughout the day for sports, family or children
• no more dark circles or bags under the eyes, hence better self image and less dependency on make-up
• having a clearer head to make more informed and less emotional decisions, based on feeling energetic and healthy
• rekindled romantic life due to more energy and the elimination of depression
• other positive lifestyle and financial improvements, simply being in a better mood leads to

List Of Health Benefits Of Body Earthing

The degree and variety of benefits will depend from person to person. Someone may experience noticeable improvement, for example regarding pain or vitality, in as little as an hour or two.

Someone after sleeping grounded for a full night may feel significantly better. Others with more chronic illnesses may need to be grounded for weeks or months for results to gradually show.

Some Of The Benefits Of Grounding

… based on both anecdotal evidence and medical research:

• reduction or elimination of chronic pain, muscle tension, headache relief
• increased energy
• better digestion
• improved immune function
• reduced stress, anxiety, irritability
• reduction or elimination of jet leg
• harmonization and stabilization of the body’s basic biological rhythms
• faster falling asleep, deeper sleep thus more energy during the day
• lessened hormonal and menstrual symptoms
• reduction or prevention of bedsores
• rapid healing of injuries, recovery from surgery and intense athletic activity
• increased heart rate variability: the time interval between heartbeats
• improved blood circulation, blood pressure and blood flow
• reduced blood viscosity, thinner blood (see Medical Disclaimer.)
• optimized autonomic nervous system balance: a shift from sympathetic to parasympathetic activation (from “fight or flight response” to “rest and digest”)
• reduction of inflammation, improvement or elimination of the symptoms of many inflammation-related disorders
• normalized cortisol levels (a stress indicator)
• reduced electrosensitivity
• protection against potentially health-disturbing environmental electromagnetic fields (EMF)
• improved glucose regulation
• reduction of primary indicators of osteoporosis
• Earthing is nature’s most powerful antioxidant
• the immeasurable improvements in overall quality of life, productivity, personal and romantic life
• benefits which we either do not have tests for or have not conducted medical research to find out

A Very Special Benefit: Lower Blood Pressure

Especially when the subject of the connection between Earthing and lower blood pressure comes up, a word of caution is warranted. If you have not, please read the complete Medical Disclaimer before starting Earthing.

While not enough scientific research has been conducted, preliminary results and anecdotal stories indicate that Earthing improves blood viscosity and lowers blood pressure. This is ofter referred to going from ketchup blood to red wine blood.

Thinner blood means improved blood flow via less friction and resistance from clumped together red blood cells. The reason because red blood cells clump together is related to their accumulated positive charge, which Earthing can neutralize.

The lowering the blood pressure via Earthing can be attributed no only the blood thinning phenomena, but a group of benefits working synergistically. Fro example the stress reducing effect of Earthing, via the normalization of cortisol.

Demonstrating The Blood Thinning Effects Of Earthing

Fortunately it is quite easy to view red blood cells under the microscope, so proving the blood thinning effect of Earthing has been very popular via this simple visual demonstration.

The difference between thick, ketchup blood and thin, red wine blood is striking and very convincing. These results are usually achieved after being grounded between 1 and 2 hours.

High blood pressure being a serious condition, and because of the use of blood thinners, people with this and related conditions and on blood thinner medications should first consult with their physician.

Follow-up doctor visits and blood work test are also recommended as Earthing continues. Anecdotal evidence suggests that some people have been able to either lower or stop taking their high blood pressure medications.

Good And Bad News About The Blood Thinning Effects Of Earthing

The good news: when applicable, lowering the blood pressure and increasing blood viscosity can have far reaching health benefits. Lower blood viscosity is on the top of the wish list of most cardiologists for their patients!

The bad news: the amount of revenue high blood pressure prescription medications generate makes Earthing a threat to profit margins. There is really no comparison between the cost of Earthing products and the cost of prescription medications.

Not to mention that Earthing can also be done for free outdoors, in nature!

Funding for further scientific Earthing research will no doubt be mostly privately raised. But there are two sides to this issue, and while big pharmaceutical companies would loose revenue, new Earthing related businesses could thrive. It would be in the moral and financial interest of these new Earthing companies to further push scientific research along.

There is also the danger of anti-Earthing online “agent provocateurs”. These online anonymous sources may spread false information about Earthing on forums or in blog posts. But negative propaganda with headlines like: “Earthing Debunked”, “Earthing Is A Hoax” will be swiftly met with honest and passionate Earthing testimonials, quickly diffusing those against Earthing.

How To Connect Your Body To The Earth?

As long as any part of your body touches the ground or a conductive material that is connected to the ground, you are grounded. The water and mineral content of our bodies provides excellent conductivity.

For this very reason Earthing may be less effective or take longer for the same benefits, for a dehydrated person.

Food for thought: the most connective part of our body is on the bottom of our feet. If possible, Earth yourself via your feet, if cannot, connect through elsewhere.

Conductive surfaces include: earth, grass, water, concrete, ceramic, carbon, metal, wool.
Surfaces that are not connective (insulative): asphalt, wood, rubber. plastic.

Grounding Your Body Outdoors

• walk barefoot on grass or Earth (the wetter the ground, the better the conductivity)
• swim, walk, sit in a lake, river or ocean (salt water has better conductivity)

Grounding Your Body Using Earthing Products

• sleep grounded on an Earthing sheet or in an Earthing sleeping bag
• drive grounded sitting an Earthing car seat
• work in an office or use the computer grounded with an Earthing mouse or keyboard pad, Earthing floor mat, patch or wrist band
• watch tv grounded using an Earthing sheet, blanket or mat under feet
• if barefoot is not an option, walk or run in grounded shoes

These products will connect to the ground either through wire and an Earthing rod or through the ground hole of an electrical outlet.

What Is The Best Time For Earthing?

The benefits of Earthing do depend on the amount of time spent being grounded. The most convenient time for Earthing is during sleep. This is also the time when the body repairs, resets, detoxifies itself, so this is truly the premium time.

Earthing during the day can add several hours to the time spent grounded at night. Next to sleep, people spend a big chunk of their day working.

Ways To Get Grounded At Work

• office work: by using an Earthing product, such as Earthing mat, mouse / keyboard pad or patch
• driving work: by using an Earthing car seat mat, patch or wrist band connected to a metallic surface of the vehicle (i.e. under the seat)
• outdoor work: by wearing Earthing footwear (or by working barefoot if applicable) on a conductive surface, i.e. ground or grass

Special Note On Getting Grounded In A Car

While at first look, the insulating rubber tires should to make Earthing impossible while in a vehicle, there is a “relative grounding plane” created by the mass of the metal frame of the car.

Getting grounded in a car is not as “complete” as being directly connected to the Earth but the average length of commutes can add sometimes several hours of grounding to a person’s daily grounding time.
For people driving professionally for several hours a day, Earthing in a car can be even more beneficial.

How Long Does It Take For Earthing To Start Working?

While electricity “travels” almost at the speed of light, the individual electrons are moving a lot slower, approximately a few inches an hour.

So there is a difference between the time it takes to be grounded (practically instantaneously) and the time it takes for the healing electrons to reach the location of the particular electric imbalance.

So as soon as the human body gets connected to the Earth, it is grounded withing a second or two, depending on the quality of the connection.

While there are many variables, a good ballpark figure is about 20-30 minutes for the electrons to reach a site of inflammation. Some people actually able to feel the electrons traveling through their bodies, especially at the area of contact. The feeling of a tingling sensation is sometimes reported.

Some “less localized” and “more global” effects may be much more rapid, i.e. when it comes to brain waves, muscle tension and skin conductance.

Who Can Benefit From Earthing?

All that’s alive can benefit from Earthing: kids, adults, the elderly, indoor pets, potted plants and flowers! Look at it this way: if it is naturally supposed to be touching the ground, but no longer does, it can benefit from being reconnected to the Earth.

The most dramatic effects will be felt by those who have pain, sleep disorders or other nagging symptoms, which when eased or eliminated will immediately be noticed.

Others may discover their improvements gradually or “by accident” (i.e. not getting their usual spring allergy, feeling less joint pain, getting compliments from others about vitality, or medical/blood test coming back with improved results).

Indoor pets usually will choose an Earthed mat or blanket, even over their old, favorite rug. They may be more peaceful and relaxed, sleep better and experience an improvement in their overall quality of life, specially if ill or old.

Indoor plants and flower may bloom sooner, grow larger and faster if Earthed.

How Long To Stay Grounded For Real Results?

Every body is different so beside the time spend being grounded, the “quality of connection” to the Earth is also important. Quality means: total area of skin surface, moisture content of skin / body and connective surface.

Certain physiological improvements will happen immediately or shortly after the connection is made with the Earth as mentioned above (i.e. brain waves, muscle tension and skin conductance).

As quickly as in 30 minutes, some or complete pain relief, reduction or disappearance of jet leg, appearance of rosy cheeks, elevated mood, vitality and vigor may occur. Laboratory thermal imaging has illustrated reduction of inflammation in minutes.

Sleeping grounded overnight has farther reaching benefits, not only because of the length of time being connected to the Earth, but also because nighttime is when the body is naturally doing its repair, detoxifying and regenerative work. Some benefits: deeper sleep, faster falling asleep, more energy during the day, pain relief, decreased stress, optimized body rhythms.

Some people may notice “unexpected” benefits effecting pain, allergies or other symptoms, which they were so used to, that their absence constitutes a “surprise discovery”.

People with more serious illnesses may need several weeks or months of Earthing to notice symptoms improved or gone. If on prescription medication or if in doubt, please read the complete Medical Disclaimer before starting Earthing.

When the application of Earthing stops, some or all the symptoms or imbalances may return after time. Fortunately Earthing can easily become a permanent lifestyle choice, as it can be done effortlessly while sleeping, so it does not interfere with “living”.

Localized Treatments: Earthing Where The Pain Is

As soon as any part of the body is grounded the whole body is grounded. But Earthing seems to have localized effects.

For example: Tour de France cyclists were successfully treated for specific injuries by applying Earthing patches around the area. This phenomena should apply for non-athletes as well.

Is Too Much Earthing Possible?

If our modern societies were not so diseased and disconnected from the Earth, this question would be preposterous.

As earth’s electrons enter our bodies, “they are there to” equalize the body’s positive surplus charge, on an “as needed bases”. So there is no such thing as “overdosing on Earthing”

A question like: “Is It Unhealthy To Stand For Too Long On The Grass?” would make no sense. Or: “Is It Possible That Too Much Fresh Air Is Dangerous?“.

But the not uncommon, high degree of toxicity, disease and imbalance in our bodies and the epidemic use and abuse of prescription medication have made some people too sensitive and not physically ready for prolonged safe Earthing.

Please read the complete Medical Disclaimer before starting Earthing.

Possible Symptoms After Starting Earthing

Besides the harmless tingling sensation mentioned above, some people may experience a short period of flu-like symptoms, aches and pains. This may seem in contradiction with the pain-relieving benefits of Earthing.

All this means is that the body has excess toxins and their release cause these symptoms. Just as when somebody receives a deep tissue massage after a long time of absence from massages. After all, the body’s electrical system is being normalized after not being grounded for possibly weeks, months or years.

In these cases, it may be a good idea to reduce the time spent Earthing or the frequency of Earthing sessions. In severe cases stopping and restarting at a later time and seeing a physician is also recommended.

But especially in healthy individuals, these initial “Earthing pains” will disappear.

If seemingly healthy people develop some of the above symptoms, they may be electro-sensitive. As the natural, healing energy of the Earth is detoxing an electro-sensitive body, the same word of caution needs to be applied: slow down, lessen the frequency or stop and see a physician.

Earthing As An Anti-Aging Treatment?

Due to the relatively recent resurgence of Earthing, and lack of sufficient scientific studies, there is no conclusive answer yet. But a prediction can be made if the health benefits of Earthing are examined.

One of such health benefits of Earthing, which are also aging related are its anti-oxidant properties.

Earthing has been coined “Vitamin G” as in “Vitamin Ground”, and it is nature’s most powerful anti-oxidant. This ties in with the free radical damage, aging is associated with.

Along with its anti-inflammatory and immune system strengthening and repairing properties, it seems that Earthing could be part of anti-aging treatments in the future.

How Is Earthing Connected To Fighting Inflammation?

The word to concentrate when it comes to Earthing does seem to be: inflammation. Many people may not know, what has been recently established by modern medicine: a very large percentage of diseases, from minor to life-threatening, are caused by inflammation.

Even when seemingly an illness or injury has healed, the inflammation will not completely disappear and may continue to damage the body for time to come.

Earth’s negative electric charge, via its electrons, which can freely, safely and naturally can travel into our bodies, have anti-inflammatory effects.

As we evolved touching the Earth practically all the time, so did evolve our immune system in harmony and aided by the constant connection. If we look at the size discrepancy between the human body and the Earth, we can imagine how important that connection is (for the human body).

The recent and very dramatic break in that connection would no doubt significantly effect such an important and delicate system as our disease fighting, immune system.