The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases (Chevalier et al., 2015)
Grounding
The research on grounding (earthing) suggests significant benefits in areas like inflammation reduction, immune function improvement, and faster wound healing. Grounding works by transferring electrons from the Earth to the body, which neutralizes free radicals and reduces oxidative stress. Studies showed grounded participants experienced lower blood viscosity, improved heart rate variability, and better autonomic nervous system function. This suggests grounding can be used to reduce chronic pain, stress, and improve sleep, making it a useful complementary therapy in mental health treatment for anxiety, depression, and trauma.
Key Research Highlights
Inflammation Reduction: One of the core findings is that grounding significantly reduces inflammation. This was observed through lowered blood markers of inflammation, with participants reporting less pain and swelling. This has significant implications for individuals suffering from chronic conditions like arthritis or autoimmune diseases, where inflammation is the primary symptom.
Immune Response: Studies suggest grounding enhances the body’s immune response. Participants who engaged in grounding practices showed a more robust recovery from illness or injury. Researchers hypothesize that grounding helps regulate immune system activity, keeping it in balance and improving overall resilience to infections.
Wound Healing: Research on athletes demonstrated that grounding accelerates wound healing. Injuries such as cuts, bruises, and burns healed faster in grounded individuals compared to non-grounded ones. This is attributed to improved blood flow and reduced oxidative stress, aiding tissue repair.
Chronic Pain Relief: Grounding has been shown to lower pain levels in individuals with chronic pain conditions. One study found that participants reported significant pain reduction after grounding practices. This was linked to the neutralization of free radicals and the reduction of inflammation, which play a central role in chronic pain syndromes.
Sleep and Stress Reduction: Grounding influences stress and sleep regulation. Participants reported better sleep quality, faster sleep onset, and fewer night-time disturbances when regularly engaged in grounding activities. This is due to grounding’s ability to lower cortisol (the stress hormone) levels and restore balance to the autonomic nervous system.
Cardiovascular Health: Grounding has demonstrated positive effects on cardiovascular health. It reduces blood viscosity, which is critical for preventing heart disease and stroke. Grounded participants also had better heart rate variability, a marker of heart health and resilience to stress.
Neurological Effects: Research indicates that grounding impacts the autonomic nervous system, helping shift the body from a fight-or-flight response (sympathetic activation) to a state of rest and recovery (parasympathetic activation). This shift is crucial for reducing the stress response and promoting emotional regulation, which is especially beneficial for mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Reduction of Oxidative Stress: Grounding allows the body to absorb electrons from the Earth’s surface, neutralizing free radicals and reducing oxidative stress. This has broad implications for slowing the aging process, improving overall health, and preventing diseases related to oxidative damage.
Electrophysiological Research: Studies using thermography and blood tests show that grounding affects the electrical activity in the brain and muscles. Participants who practiced grounding exhibited a stabilization of electrical activity, which could be connected to improved cognitive function and emotional regulation.