Earthing : A Natural Blood Thinner?

As the expression goes, blood is thicker than water. But thick, inflammatory clumpy blood, typical in patients with cardiovascular disease and diabetes, isn't a good thing. That's why there are some very expensive drugs on the market to help us thin our human blood. 

  Here is the good news. In a 2009 pilot study by cardiologist Dr. Stephen Sinatra and DR. Gaeten Chevalier ( published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine in the spring of 2013) , it was found that grounding, even for a very short period of time (two hours), dramatically altered the zeta potential of a cell by an average of 270 percent. 






The zeta potential relates to the degree of negative charge on the surface of a red blood cell. The higher the zeta potential the more likely the blood is to be thin and flow freely, which means a much lower risk of clotting. 

  While more studies are needed, this study suggest what we've seen time  and again: you literally get healthier by plugging into the earth, even for brief periods of time such as your barefoot walks. In this case, your blood gets thinner and healthier; helping it flow better. And it means, in Dr. Chevalier's words, " If Earthing affects blood as we have seen in this pilot investigation, that means Earthing really affects the metabolism of the entire body at the cellular level. This further supports our hypothesis that grounded people have a different physiology than people who are ungrounded. As more research rolls out, we may find that we need to rewrite physiology books!"

  In Michael Sandler's case, with barefoot walking he was on the world's  largest dose of anti-inflammatory and healing drugs, all in one, just by plugging into the ground.

  It turns out that planet Earth has a frequency, or a heartbeat, called the Schumann resonance, of approximately 7.83 hertz (Hz). This number 7.83 is important because it's approximately the same frequency our human brain use. In other words, we exist to vibrate at the same frequency or heartbeat as our planet earth does.
  
We vibrate in sync with the world around us. When our environment is out of sync, we're out of sync too, which can have significant harmful effects on our bodies and minds. Studies are showing that when our environment is not vibrating at approximately 7.83 hertz ー for instance, in an environment bombarded by cell phone signals and electromagnetic waves from all sorts of other devices (which some call "electro-pollution"), human brain wave function can be disturbed, causing ADD-like symptoms, depression, and other psychological conditions along with a number of medical conditions. Unfortunately, as cell phone use becomes more ubiquitous , found everywhere, electro-pollution continues to rise, as do corresponding health risks. We're not even safe in our beds at home; we're still bombarded by electrical radiation as we sleep , from cell phone signals, household electrical appliances, the hidden wiring in the walls behind our beds, and even microwave towers miles away. 

  While the earth's frequency averages 7.83 hertz, it cycles throughout the day, peaking twice, around 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. wherever you are in the world. 





These peaks help keep our bodies in tune with the twenty-four -hour cycle of the planet. Since our bodies and minds are in tune with the earth, these cycles give us our circadian rhythm or internal twenty-four-hour clock, helping us naturally know when to rise and when to sleep. However, when our environment's overload with artificially created electromagnetic radiation, we're thrown out of sync with the natural circadian rhythm.
  Being barefoot for just a few minutes a day may not be enough to bring you back to sync. It's not just a matter of dissipating the charges, but of re-synchronizing ourselves with the cycles and vibration of the earth. This takes time, such as long barefoot walks, runs, or hikes daily ( or even twice daily, following the cycle of the earth).

  Additionally, being barefoot for a few minutes each day doesn't protect us from the harmful electromagnetic frequencies we're virtually swimming in. To protect ourselves, we must be grounded. 

Clint Ober, the Father of Earthing

Clint Ober is a true pioneer in the field of grounding, or what he termed "Earthing." A former cable television network expert, he lost his health and nearly his life after an infection from a root canal compromised 80 percent of his liver. The infection spread throughout his entire body and he was given just months to live. However, after experimental surgery his liver grew back to its original size. 

During the healing process, he experienced a paradigm shift. In his book Earthing (click here to look inside the book) : The Most Important Health Discovery Ever?. 


he wrote, "A stark realization came over me that I did not really own my home and the mountain of possession I had. Rather, they owned me." He sold his possessions and business, bought an RV*, ( A recreational vehicle (RV) is, in North America, the usual term for a motor vehicle or trailer equipped with living space and amenities found in a home. ), and spent four(4) years driving around the country in search of his purpose in life. In meditation, he thought, " I want to do something different. Whatever time I have left I want to dedicate it to something worthwhile and with purpose."







  One day he sat on the bay in Key largo, Florida, and asked for guidance. When he returned to the RV, he hear these words: " Become an opposite charge." Years later, thinking about static electricity ( which caused "snow" and white lines on TV) he wondered if being insulated from the ground in footwear would have an effect on people' health. He realized that electronic and electrical equipment had to be grounded and thought perhaps humans do too. 

  And thus began his quest. First he developed a grounding pad that could connect someone with the earth when indoors ( he simply calls it an " extension cord" for the earth). He performed a humble study showing that of the people who used the grounding pad,  


Grounding Pad ⇧

85 percent went to sleep more quickly, 
93 percent reported sleeping better throughout the night, 
82 percent experienced a significant  reduction in muscle stiffness. 74 percent experienced elimination or reduction of chronic back and joint pain, 
100 percent reported feeling more rested when they woke up, and 
78 percent reported improved general health. This was just the beginning of a long career in research on the effects of grounding.

  Clint Ober's research is a major reason we now have science starting to catch up with what we intuitively know: that getting grounded is good for us. 

  When you touch the ground, barefoot or barehand, something special, almost magical happens. Or perhaps we should say that something electrical happens. Because when you touch the ground, you're connected electrically with the earth.



  Look at it this way: the earth is a giant negatively charged electrical battery. That's why our electronic equipment is grounded and why electrical plugs have a third, grounding prong.





  Anything disconnected from the earth tends to hold a positive charge (which is why there are electrical storms or why your hair stands on end, particularly in the winter). How many times have you shuffled across the carpet and then zapped someone? Shocking!

  That static charge is harmful. For example, computer chip makers avoid static electricity because it can fry a circuit board. Anyone who works around gunpowder or fills up at gas stations knows the danger of stray sparks causing an explosion.
  Those charges build up in our human bodies. The earth was always there to take the hit, so to speak. But along the way, we became disconnected from Mother Earth. Not grounded directly. Our ancestors walked barefoot or in leather-soled sandals. Leather soaked with sweat is a good conductor. They slept on the earth, tilled the earth with bare-hands, and, in a very real sense, were one with the earth.
  Not so today. Because we're insulated from the ground, that static electricity charge builds up ー with no place to go.
  When you slip off your shoes at the end of a day work, walk barefoot through the grass, or squish your toes on a sandy beach, you're not just draining tension away, you are off-loading the excess positive charge clinging onto and in your body. You're plugging back into the earth, getting grounded, and getting your  dose of vitamin G. we call it vitamin G for "Ground," but maybe we should call it vitamin G for "Good."

  Here's some more good stuff. When it comes to injuries and disease, the number one word you'll hear doctors use is inflammation. It's linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, various cancers, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and plenty more of our modern ills.
  And where does this inflammation come from? One major source of inflammation is free radicals, those pesky little electrically charged buggers we're all trying to get rid of by taking antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, and E.
  Think of free radicals as electrically imbalanced or electrically unstable charged particles in your human body. They are a by-product of metabolism and are also produced by your immune system (specifically by white blood cells) to go hunting for problems.



Trouble is, when they don't find something unhealthy to latch onto and clean up, or a way to be drained (grounded) from the body, they build up, creating inflammation and latching onto healthy tissue, causing damage. 

  Studies reported in the book Earthing: The Most Importance Health Discovery Ever? and in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine show that going barefoot reduces your excess charge, and voilà ― bye-bye free radicals, hello reduced inflammation, blood pressure, cortisol levels, stress, pain, and muscle tension. 






 Why Walking Barefoot Might Be an Essential Element of Good Health 

Story at-a-glance

• Walking barefoot outside or using conductive systems that transfer the Earth's electrons from the ground into your body, known as Earthing or grounding, is emerging as an essential element to good health
• Going barefoot allows you to “ground” with the Earth and absorb free electrons directly through the soles of your feet; this type of grounding has one of the most potent antioxidant effects we know of and may also reduce inflammation throughout your body
• Research shows grounding may play a profoundly beneficial role in sleep disturbances, stress relief, pain relief, heart rhythm, immune response and much more
• If you can’t walk outside barefoot due to weather or during air travel, a grounding pad can be used to harness the benefits of the Earth’s electrons even if you’re indoors

By Dr. Mercola

When's the last time you kicked off your shoes and reveled in the feeling of the Earth under your feet?

Been awhile?

It may sound hard to believe, but engaging in this simple pleasure could give your health a much-needed boost.

Often it is the case that engaging in activities that feel good on an intrinsic level really are good for your health -- like the feeling of the afternoon sun warming your bare skin.

Walking barefoot outside, with the soles of your feet free to mesh with the surface of the Earth – an activity known as Earthing, or grounding -- is another such case.

I have been personally intrigued with grounding for nearly seven years and have been seeking to ground myself most of the time.

This is a fascinating leading-edge concept, and I would strongly encourage you to carefully read the featured article for more details.

You are an Electrical Being, and the Earth's Surface is Electrically Conductive

You are an electrical being -- your body regularly produces positive charges, which can oxidize and harm you if it is excessive..

The Earth's surface is electrically conductive; it maintains a negative charge with its free electron supply continually replenished by the global atmospheric electrical circuit.

As such, as reported in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health:

"It is an established, though not widely appreciated fact, that the Earth's surface possesses a limitless and continuously renewed supply of free or mobile electrons. 

… Mounting evidence suggests that the Earth's negative potential can create a stable internal bioelectrical environment for the normal functioning of all body systems. Moreover, oscillations of the intensity of the Earth's potential may be important for setting the biological clocks regulating diurnal body rhythms, such as cortisol secretion."

There is growing research showing that this connection to the Earth's surface plays a vital role in preventing disease and offers a host of benefits from improved sleep to pain relief. The problem, of course, is that while humans have historically spent much of their days with their bare skin next to the Earth (both while walking and sleeping, including on animal skins, which still allow electrons to enter the body), today this vital connection has been lost.

Researchers continue:

"Throughout history, humans mostly walked barefoot or with footwear made of animal skins. They slept on the ground or on skins. Through direct contact or through perspiration-moistened animal skins used as footwear or sleeping mats, the ground's abundant free electrons were able to enter the body, which is electrically conductive. Through this mechanism, every part of the body could equilibrate with the electrical potential of the Earth, thereby stabilizing the electrical environment of all organs, tissues, and cells.

Modern lifestyle has increasingly separated humans from the primordial flow of Earth's electrons. For example, since the 1960s, we have increasingly worn insulating rubber or plastic soled shoes, instead of the traditional leather fashioned from hides… Obviously, we no longer sleep on the ground as we did in times past."

What Happens When You Absorb Free Electrons from the Earth?

The scientific theory behind the health benefits seen from this simple practice is that since the Earth has a greater negative charge than your body, you end up absorbing electrons from it. This is, in my understanding, one of the most potent antioxidants we know of and may have an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect on your body. As written in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine:1

"It is well established, though not widely known, that the surface of the earth possesses a limitless and continuously renewed supply of free or mobile electrons as a consequence of a global atmospheric electron circuit. Wearing shoes with insulating soles and/or sleeping in beds that are isolated from the electrical ground plane of the earth have disconnected most people from the earth's electrical rhythms and free electrons.

… A previous study demonstrated that connecting the human body to the earth during sleep (earthing) normalizes the daily cortisol rhythm and improves sleep. A variety of other benefits were reported, including reductions in pain and inflammation.  Subsequent studies have confirmed these earlier findings and documented virtually immediate physiologic and clinical effects of grounding or earthing the body."

To put it simply, it's thought that the influx of free electrons from the Earth's surface will help to neutralize free radicals and reduce both acute and chronic inflammation, which is at the root of many health conditions and accelerated aging.

A Review of Earthing Research Shows Significant Benefits

In a new article published in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health2, researchers reviewed the Earthing research, revealing an impressive impact on a variety of health conditions. Most of the studies involved indoor testing methods that simulated being barefoot outdoors. This was found to offer improvements in the following conditions:

Sleep disturbances, including sleep apnea	Chronic muscle and joint pain, and other types of pain	Asthmatic and respiratory conditions	Rheumatoid arthritis
PMS	Hypertension	Energy levels	Stress
Immune system activity and response	Heart rate variability	Primary indicators of osteoporosis	Fasting glucose levels among people with diabetes

Another invaluable benefit is this: when your body is grounded, researchers write, "its electrical potential becomes equalized with the Earth's electrical potential through a transfer of electrons from the Earth to the body." This, in turn, offers an "umbrella" of protection against the electromagnetic fields that are now ubiquitous in our environment. The paper continues:

"The study confirms the 'umbrella' effect of earthing the body explained by Nobel Prize winner Richard Feynman in his lectures on electromagnetism. Feynman said that when the body's potential is the same as the Earth's electric potential (and thus grounded), it becomes an extension of the Earth's gigantic electric system. The Earth's potential thus becomes the "working agent that cancels, reduces, or pushes away electric fields from the body."

Most of the scientists working in this area now believe that the beneficial effects are mediated through reduction in inflammation and a thinning of the blood. In fact the blood thinning effect is so profound that if you are taking blood thinners it is recommended to immediately consult with your doctor, as most likely your blood thinner will need to be lowered.

Two Ways to Make Sure You Stay Grounded

The effects of grounding appear to be so profound that researchers suggest health practitioners prescribe outdoor "barefoot sessions" as the weather permits. This is as simple as it sounds – you kick off your shoes and socks and walk barefoot on the grass, the dirt, the sand or whatever "Earth" is available to you. Studies suggest that benefits such as pain relief and stress reduction may occur in just 30-80 minutes of barefoot time a day.

This can obviously be a challenge during the winter, or if you live in an urban area without easy access to parks or other barefoot-friendly surfaces, so the other option is to use a grounding or Earthing pad, which allows you to get the benefits of the Earth's electrons even if you're indoors, especially when you're sleeping. I've been using one for several months now, especially when I travel by plane, as air travel is a suspected cause of weakening bio-electric currents.

So, like access to regular sun exposure, walking barefoot outside is a grossly neglected foundational practice that you can easily correct. In the Journal of Environmental and Public Health, researchers concluded:

"Emerging evidence shows that contact with the Earth—whether being outside barefoot or indoors connected to grounded conductive systems—may be a simple, natural, and yet profoundly effective environmental strategy against chronic stress, ANS [autonomic nervous system] dysfunction, inflammation, pain, poor sleep, disturbed HRV [heart rate variability], hypercoagulable blood, and many common health disorders, including cardiovascular disease.

The research done to date supports the concept that grounding or earthing the human body may be an essential element in the health equation along with sunshine, clean air and water, nutritious food, and physical activity."

Earthing

For Health and EMF protection.

In the last hundred or so years we have lost something vital for our health and wellbeing: our electrical connection to the Earth.  With the advent of rubber and plastic soled shoes, and insulating mattresses in insulating houses, we spend our days and nights disconnected from the Earth.

One only has to walk barefoot in the grass or on a beach to regain this connection and feel the nurturing effects, and yet in our modern lives it is not always practical to do so.  There is a very physical and scientifically verifiable reason why we feel better when we do this:

The Earth is a massive reservoir of negatively charged free electrons.  Without a connection to this reservoir, the cells in our body are unable to balance the positive charge which results from things like electron-deficient free radicals.  The effect of excess positive charge in the blood can be seen very clearly by the way in which the cells are attracted to clump together (see Scientific Research).

There are various things we can do to balance this electron-deficiency, such as anti-oxidant rich foods and drinking living water.  But what has been largely overlooked until recently is receiving free electrons from the Earth.

It's such a simple thing and yet the effect can be so profound.  In our modern lives we can't always be outside and barefoot, and so the products offered on this website are designed to provide this electrical connection to the Earth in a convenient and practical way.

There is another effect of grounding which is particularly relevant in our modern electrical world.  Our environment is full of a wide spectrum of electromagnetic radiation, from computers, mobile phones & masts, radio & TV broadcasts, WiFi, Bluetooth, power lines, domestic wiring, and other electrical appliances.

This electromagnetic radiation induces voltages in our bodies, disrupting the trillions of subtle electrical communications which are a vital part of the function of our body's systems.  By being grounded to the Earth we greatly reduce the levels of these induced voltages. 

We are electrical beings, living on an electrical planet, and our connection is vital for our health and well-being.

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

The effect of grounding on the blood

One of the most dramatic demonstrations of the benefits of grounding is the effect it has on the blood.

On the right are darkfield microscope images of blood taken from three individuals just before and after forty minutes of grounding.

The before images are on the left, the after on the right.  The pictures clearly show a dramatic thinning and decoupling of the blood cells.

The blood samples were taken during research into grounding by Dr Stephen Sinatra MD.

The video clip on above ⇧ shows the results of some similar blood tests which were performed on some volunteers live during the recent Longevity Now Conference 2010.  Presented by David Wolfe.

Or watch the full video on YouTube here.

Further reading

For further reading, case studies and personal reports, we recommended a visit to www.earthinginstitute.net

Another great resource is the book ⇩ ‘Earthing’ by Clinton Ober.

⇗The authoritative book on Earthing/Grounding.  Highly recommended for a deeper understanding of why earthing is so important to health.

This is the English version of the book.  It is also available in German, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, Arabic, Polish, Danish, Dutch, Swedish, Italian, French, Finnish, Serbo-Croatian and Czech.

Price: £13.95  for Quantity:1

ESD JOURNAL

January, 2000

http://www.esdjournal.com/articles/cober/ground.htm

GROUNDING THE HUMAN BODY TO NEUTRALIZE

BIOELECTRICAL STRESS FROM STATIC ELECTRICITY AND EMFs.

A. Clinton Ober

Ventura, CA

INTRODUCTION

From the beginning of time, except for the past few generations, humans lived their entire lives primarily in direct physical contact with the earth; therefore, it is assumed that humans throughout evolution were naturally grounded.

  In modern times, humans have insulated themselves from contact with the earth by wearing synthetic soled shoes and living in homes that elevate the body above the earth. Consequently, humans are no longer naturally grounded and now the body becomes charged with static electricity and radiated electric fields can now create unnatural weak electric currents with-in the body. [1]

  This work provides evidence that loss of natural ground allows extraneous electricity to interfere with and stress the normal bio-electrical activities of the body, which thereby interferes with natural health and sleep.

  Today everyone is physically stressed, their muscles are tense, back and joint pain are the norm and most do not sleep well. These conditions all relate to excess stimulation of the nervous system and/or interference of the bio-electrical communications between cells.

  For instance, muscles only respond to bio-electrical communications from nerves. When these communications are interfered with muscles become tense and remain tight. This leads to fatigue, skeletal problems and pain.

To what extent do EMFs create abnormal electrical activity in/or on the body?

  In 1995 the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences [NIEHS] and the US Department of Energy [DOE] stated that common exposure to electric and magnetic fields [EMFs] from household electrical wires now produce unnatural weak electric currents between human cells. In other words 24 hours a day if you live and sleep in a modern home. [1]

These unnatural currents in the body are the direct result of the body being insulated from ground contact. The question is do these currents along with the static electricity created on the body from carpets etc. interfere with normal bio-electrical functions?

An indication is; according to the American Institute of Stress, over 75% of all visits to primary care physicians are now for stress related health conditions.

The description of stress is; a state of continuous anxiety and nervousness in which muscles become and remain tensed. Stress is now confirmed to be a primary contributor to cardiovascular disease, cancer, gastrointestinal, skin, neurological and emotional disorders, and a host of disorders linked to immune system disturbances ranging from the common cold and herpes, to arthritis and AIDS. [2]

In the late 1960s, when humans were first widely diagnosed as being stressed, synthetic soled shoes, carpets and the like had just become popular and the use electricity and household electrical devices tripled from the previous generation.

Do these unnatural weak electric currents in the body also interfere with sleep? According to the National Sleep Foundation's Sleep-2000 report [3], nearly two thirds of American adults [62%] now suffer from sleep problems. Americans have the most comfortable beds and the most protected sleep environments in the world. Yet, in traditional societies where most humans sleep on animal skins, grass mats or directly on the ground, sleep problems do not exist. [4]
As for Americans, most now sleep within 12 inches of electrical wires hidden in the wall at the head of their bed and with electric cords around or near the bed. All of which emanate e-fields throughout the night and create weak electric currents in the body [1].

The fact that the majority of people, with the best health care in human history, now increasingly suffer from poor sleep and stress related health problems suggests that something, largely unknown to the health community and public, is wrong. The dramatic change from the body being naturally grounded to now conducting unnatural weak electric currents between cells is the most likely

candidate. Circumstantial evidence is provided by the fact that humans in traditional societies that maintain contact with the earth do not experience the common sleep and stress related health problems of the modern world [4]. Nor do the animals that live in direct contact with the earth.

Evidence that is more conclusive was reported by the NIEHS and the DOE [1] that in some laboratory studies the biological effects of EMFs are:

-Changes in functions of cells and tissue

-Accelerated tumor growth

-Decrease in the hormone melatonin

-Changes in biorhythms

-Alterations of immune system

-Changes in human brain activity and heart rate.

The question is; by restoring natural ground to the body and thereby neutralizing these weak electric currents in the body and static electricity on the body, do muscle relax and normal sleep return?

In search of the answer the following test was performed.

METHOD AND MATERIALS 

To effectively restore ground contact for an extended period, test subjects slept on dissipative carbon fiber mattress pads placed under their fitted sheets, connected via a ground wire [protected with an inline 1/100 amp fast blow fuse], to a ground rod driven into the earth near their bedroom window. The grounded mattress pads were designed to replicate the ground plane of the earth in the bed.

Sleep disturbances along with chronic muscle and joint pain, which the subjects had been experiencing for at least six months, were recorded to establish a base line.

The test was for a period of 30 days.

SELECTION OF PARTICIPANTS

An advertisement, distributed to ten beauty salons in Ventura County, CA solicited individuals experiencing sleep problems accompanied by tense muscles and/or chronic joint pain to participate in the study. Of the respondents, sixty individuals participated.

Age of subjects was between 23 and 74 years

Male subjects = 22

Female subjects = 38

Declared sleep problems = 100%

Declared chronic muscle or joint pain = 100%

The subjects were randomly divided into two groups. The first group of thirty, slept on carbon fiber mattress pads connected to a dedicated earth ground, just outside their bedroom window. The second control group of thirty, slept on carbon fiber mattress pads but were not connected to an earth ground.

E-field created charge on their bodies were recorded with an AC voltmeter connected to the earth ground and body contact made with a hand held probe or an EKG electrode patch.

E-field created charge measured on subject's bodies while lying in their beds were as follows:

Test subjects Control subjects

Less than 1 volt 2 2

1 volts or more 28 28

2 volts or more * 16 15

3 volts or more 8 6

4 volts or more 4 3

5 volts or more 3 2

*All subjects averaged 2+ volts on their bodies while lying in their beds.

E-field created charge measured on test subject's bodies after grounding: averaged 10 millivolts or less. 

RESULTS

Test Subjects* Control Subjects**

Categories: Same Improved Same Improved

Time to fall asleep 4=15% 23=85% 20=87% 3=13%

Quality of sleep 2=7% 25=93% 20=87% 3=13%

Wake feeling rested 0=0% 27=100% 20=87% 3=13%

Muscles stiffness & pain 5=18% 22=82% 23=100% 0=0 %

Chronic back and/or joint pain 7=26% 20=74% 23=100% 0=0%

General well-being 6=22% 21=78% 20=87% 3=13%

*Reports not received from three participants.

**Reports not received from seven participants.

DISCUSSION

The purpose of this work was to provide evidence that when the human body is grounded it is naturally protected from static electricity and radiated electric fields. The meter reading of the grounded subject proved this true. The benefits of grounding the body were expected to relax muscles and improve sleep. This

also proved to be true.

Worthy of mention is that several subjects in the study stated they also experienced significant relief from asthmatic and respiratory conditions, rheumatoid arthritis, PMS, sleep apnea and hypertension, while sleeping grounded. These unexpected results indicate that loss of ground contact plays a much larger role in overall health then was anticipated at the start of this study.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO THESE FINDINGS

In the May 1999 NIEH-EMF RAPID report, mention is made that

reported biological effects to humans exposed to EMFs, such as changes in melatonin levels cannot be confirmed in animal studies. Therefore, the actual effects to humans are inconclusive. [5]

In the animal studies, sheep exposed to EMFs from a power line were reported to have experienced no change in melatonin levels. The sheep, which walked and slept directly on the ground were naturally grounded throughout the experiment. The fact that melatonin levels remain normal in sheep when grounded, supports these findings that when humans are grounded their sleep improves.

● Personal note from Roger Coghill, MA Biol. MI Biol. MA Environ Mgt. a leading research scientist and author specialized in the field of Bioelectromagnetics, the science investigating the interaction of electricity with organic life. 

Yes, I would be prepared to believe that grounding the body will help dispel any extraneous electric fields which could otherwise interfere with the body’s own endogenous fields. We have found that these latter are vital for well-being, with adverse effects if disturbed. It could also be a way forward for protection against high frequency radiation.

Best, Roger Coghill 12/05/99

● Comments from Russell Whitten, D.C. Ojai, CA 8/25/00

Prompted by the results of a patient, who participated in Mr. Ober's

study, I grounded the beds of 35 additional patients over a two-month period. The bed e-field measurements in this group ranged from .3 to 47 volts before grounding. A variety of health benefits occurred in this time. Many of the improvements, such as increased energy and athletic performance, can be attributed to the improved sleep that almost everyone reported. However, in many cases metabolic and hormonal conditions responded as well. Chronic back pain went away in several cases, stiff arthritic joints became more flexible, asthma attacks subsided and PMS symptoms lessened greatly. These indications confirm that e -fields do affect the body.

CONCLUSIONS

The important finding of this study is that the human body when grounded is naturally protected from static electricity and the weak electric currents created in the body by radiated electric fields. The benefits of grounding the body are; sleep significantly improves, muscles relax, chronic back and joint pain subsides and general health improves.

PRINCIPAL REFERENCES

1. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the U.S.

Department of Energy, Questions and Answers about EMF, electric and magnetic fields associated with use of electric power [1995]

2. American Institute of Stress, www.stress.org/problems

3. National Sleep Foundation, www.sleepfoundation.org/pressarchives

4. Slumbers Unexplored Landscape [1999] Carol M. Worthman,

Anthropologist, Emory University Atlanta, GA

5. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences EMF Rapid Report.

[May, 1999]

For additional information on this study or for parties interested in performing additional studies related to personal grounding and health, please contact:

Clint Ober @ 805- 844-0888 or e-mail clintober @ prodigy.net 

Benefits To Earthing

We thought it was time to take you back to our first blog, when we first started The Earthing Store, and elaborate on why you might want to practice Earthing. There are many benefits to Grounding on a daily basis that we want to highlight but first let's make sure you understand what exactly is Earthing and why it has an effect on us nowadays.




Earthing is known as the activity of being in direct contact with the Earth in which its negative Grounding charge has the opportunity to neutralize and balance out the excess of positive electrons. These positive electrons come in the form of free radicals, that we acquire on a daily basis in our bodies through the use of personal devices, microwaves, radios etc. Free radicals are not bad for us but it is the excess of them that is the issue. The problem is that nowadays people have limited time contacting the bare Earth. Less time is spent in the garden on your hands and knees, running barefoot through the sprinkler or getting buried in the sand. So it is quite easy for an excess or build up of free radicals to occur in our bodies. The simple act of Grounding, by walking barefoot on the Earth, wearing Grounding shoes, or sleeping using a Earthing aid can open up a full range of benefits to you which is why some state that Earthing may be one of the most profound health discoveries ever.

Increases Energy Level
Those who practice Grounding on a regular basis claim they have an increase in their overall energy level. This may be from the reduction of free radicals in their system or from the therapeutic time spent in the fresh outside air, barefoot. Perhaps increased energy levels could also be from getting a good night's rest due to those who sleep Grounded.

Reduces Inflammation
Even small amounts of exposure to the Earth's healing power has shown to have a positive effect on inflammation. Thermographic imaging shows a heat map of inflammation in the body. The imaging of those found to practice Grounding results in significantly less heat patterns, compared to prior to Earthing. The electron transfer of Earthing directly reduces the inflammation immediately.

Lowers Chronic Pain And Affects Autoimmune Diseases
Because Earthing reduces inflammation it also alleviates chronic pain and has a positive impact on chronic diseases as well as autoimmune diseases because both stem from inflammation in the body.

Aids In Deeper Sleep
Earthing while sleeping causes your diurnal cortisol profiles to be normalized and allow you to enter into deep, restless sleep. Those who sleep Grounded claim they sleep through the night without disturbance or discomfort and feel rested when they wake up. 

Slows Down The Aging Process
Our body's aging process is affected by free radicals. The accumulative damage to your body caused by free radicals results in this process to speed up so by practicing Earthing you can slow the aging process down by eliminating the excess of free radicals in your body.

Improves Blood Flow And Pressure
Free radicals in our bodies are a killer to antioxidants. If you practice Earthing then it's like giving your body more antioxidants and as a result has beneficial changes in your heart rate. Grounding thins your blood, making it less viscous which improves your blood flow and blood pressure.

Relieves Headaches
Headaches usually come in the form of pulsing or throbbing pain. The most natural way to battle against them is by Earthing. Because Grounding reduces inflammation, it also has a positive effect on eliminating or reducing headache and even migraine pain.

Speeds Up The Healing Process
While Earthing, the healing process speeds up because the Earth's electrons are negative, while the damaging free radicals are positive which are designed to surround the injured or damaged area of the body, so the electrons cancel each other out. In essence Grounding protects your body from its own repair process and its collateral damage.

Decreases Muscle Tension
Those who practice Grounding regularly, and find themselves with muscular pain and stiffness from strenuous or unfamiliar exercise, have been found to have fewer circulating neutrophils and lymphocytes cells. Less of these type cells indicates that the original damage resolved more quickly, collateral damage reduced, and the recovery process accelerated.

Lowers Stress Levels and Promotes Calmness
Practicing Earthing is known to balance cortisol levels which has a direct impact on your body's stress levels and results in lowering the body from "fight or flight" mode to one of calmness and stability. It does this through switching the nervous system from a sympathetic mode towards a parasympathetic state which makes the nervous system focus on homeostasis. That is, one of rest and digestion.

Lessens Menstrual And Hormonal Symptoms
Because cortisol levels are affected by Earthing, and are also directly tied to hormone levels, practicing Earthing can positively affect female hormonal symptoms as well as reduce menstrual discomfort.

Supports Adrenal Health
Earthing can eliminate adrenal fatigue which is more than just feeling tired. If your adrenal levels are low then your body and its organs cease to function at their full potential and you feel exhausted even if you've had adequate sleep. You'll find that if your adrenal levels are normalized through Earthing, your body will stop feeling like you're at rock bottom and your energy level will be significantly improved. 

Offers Protection From EMFs
Grounding reduces the effects of electromagnetic frequencies (EMF’s) that people are surrounded with due to our modern world such as computers, power lines, machinery etc. It is inevitable that we are going to come in contact with EMFs and some people develop sensitivities to them so Grounding can help balance the negative effects of them.

Shortens Recovery Time From Injury Or Athletic Activity
Practicing Grounding after an injury allows negative electrons to migrate into your body and spread through your tissues. Any positive free radicals that have leaked into the healthy tissue of your body, around where the injury has occurred, will immediately be electrically neutralized. 

Reduces Snoring
If you sleep Grounded you enter into a deeper sleep cycle and thus you breath deeper and better so snoring is lessened and even eliminated in some cases.

Eliminates Feeling of Jet Lag
People live with a built in body cycle referred to as circadian rhythm. This cycle receives external clues from our environment such as temperature, light etc. Fast, long-distance travelling disrupts our inner circadian rhythm. The condition of jet lag is the feeling your body goes through while your circadian rhythm readjusts once you've arrived at your new destination. Jet lag can last several days unless you've been practicing Grounding in some form. Earthing eliminates jet lag headaches, dizziness and tiredness. 

Improves Pregnancy
Earthing can increases fertility by normalizing hormone levels. Pregnant women report having less mood swings as stress levels are lowered as well as emotional hormones are balanced. There are more cases reported where the mother claims her energy levels are higher and labour is faster because of Grounding on a regular basis. There is also less cases of new mother's with postpartum depression who regular contact the Earth.

Helps With Self Regulation
Earthing neutralizes free radicals that kids are bombarded with such as external stimuli that come in the form of stresses - eating fast foods, bullying, excessive screen time, poor sleep habits etc. Earthing allows children to self regulate and internally adjust and choose what he or she needs to do at a particular moment. Self Regulation allows the child to think and act more clearly with the best choice and option and then the ability act on it.

Lessens Depression and Anxiety
With Earthing relating directly to cortisol levels, those who practice it are less irritable and report to feel less depressed and less anxious.

Promotes Healthy Feet
Your feet will love the benefits of Grounding. You'll find that while walking barefoot or by wearing Earthing shoes, your feet will be free from corns, blisters and soreness even after being up on them all day. 

We'd love to hear how Earthing has helped you and what areas of your life you have noticed the most improvement in. Some people attest that it took some time for them to start noticing the benefits of Earthing while others say they noticed results right away. Whatever the case was for you, we would love to hear it. Drop us a quick email and we'll add your story to our testimonial page. From The Earthing Store, we wish you happy Grounding this spring! 

References
https://wellnessmama.com/5600/earthing-sleep/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4378297/
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/04/29/james-oschman-on-earthing.aspx
http://earthingcanada.ca/earthing-as-a-means-to-treat-headaches/
http://www.foodrenegade.com/grounding-earthing-healed-adrenal-fatigue/
https://greendoorrelaxation.net/2015/08/05/does-earthing-help-with-jetlag/

Can Earthing Really Help With Jet Lag?

People have a built in body cycle which works on what is called a circadian rhythm. Circadian rhythm is your 24 hour internal biological clock that runs in the background of your brain. It cycles between sleepiness and alertness at regular time intervals which is also known as your sleep/wake cycle. Lightness, darkness, temperature change, sleep patterns and rapid long distance traveling (that crosses east-west or west-east) are all external clues from our environment that can disrupt our inner circadian rhythm.



Your circadian rhythm works best when you have regular sleep habits such as those who don't have chronic pain, young children to get up with in the night or do shift work. For example, those who go to bed at night and wake up in the morning around the same time from day to day have the best working circadian rhythm. When external stimuli change your internal clock such as daylight savings, a late night movie or dreaded jet lag, you can disrupt your circadian rhythm, which makes you feel tired, grumpy, and perhaps have difficulty paying attention or just plain out of sorts.

So the question is, can Earthing really help regulate your circadian rhythm and lessen the effects of jet lag? For some people the condition of jet lag can last several days until your system is fully adjusted to the new time zone. However when being in direct contact with the Earth, the effects and adjustment period to your new local time zone can be significantly reduced. Why is this so?


Grounding leads us to believe that it's much more than the light/dark cycle that effects our diverse bodily circadian rhythm, but a much greater physiological stability that has to do with the natural rhythms of the environment that are easily influenced by taking some time to touch the Earth. The Earth's energy coordinates our biological clock which regulates hormone flow in our bodies. When in contact with the Ground, the slow and gentle rhythm of the Earth's field of energy is essential for maintaining our circadian rhythm. The day/night or wake/sleep cortisol levels are normalized when touching the Earth. The Earth's energy potential fluctuates according to the position of the sun and moon so at any point on its surface, the circadian cycle will be different. The best way to normalize yourself to the area and time zone you are in, is to practice Earthing as soon as you arrive at your new destination or even if it's arriving back home after a trip. By immediately practicing Grounding you can get your biological cycle in sync with the new place you are in, reset yourself to local time and reduce or eliminate the various symptoms many experience from jet lag.

At The Earthing Store our easiest advice to practice Earthing once you arrive at your destination is to wear Earthing shoes while traveling. All you need is a quick 20 minutes to touch the Earth while wearing a pair of Grounding footwear and you can do this without any extra effort on your part. Find some grass or a sidewalk to walk to your parked car or to catch a bus as both will help reset your circadian rhythm even if only for a few minutes. If you are traveling in the night and plan to immediately go to your hotel you can always opt to sleep Grounded. Pack along a travel Earthing sleep aid such as a pillow case, recovery bag or throw. All of which will help you sleep better and reset your biological clock without taking up to much room in your suitcase.

What Materials Are Conductive?

What materials are conductive? It’s a good question to ask if you want to know how to practice earthing besides walking around outside in your bare feet. Take a look below at a list of both conductive and non-conductive materials to help you better plan how you will maximize your grounding time. It is our hope that after reviewing this list, you will better know what to wear, what to touch and where to stand to help you practice earthing throughout your day.

YES Conductive!

Leather
Leather is conductive so it is good to wear leather soled shoes. It is even more conductive when moist so if your feet sweat a little in your shoes, it’s a good thing. Leather shoes allow grounding after they have been worn long enough to absorb moisture from the environment. Conductivity of the leather increases with wear, as the shoes absorb more moisture over time.

Copper
Copper is conductive which is why some earthing shoes have copper dots or plates, in the soles, to allow you to connect to the earth while wearing them.

Skin
Skin is especially conductive, right in the middle of the ball of your foot, as it connects to your whole body. This is why earthing is most effective by electron transfer through your feet.

Metal
Metal materials will allow electron transfer to flow. Earthing devices often use silver or carbon as a conductive agent because they are strong and last over time.

Concrete
Concrete is moist and if poured directly onto the earth, can be used as a reasonable substitute to walking directly on the earth.

Beaches
Beaches are great for conductivity because everyone walks barefoot on the beach!

Water
Water is conductive and works quite well as our bodies are made up primarily of water, so it makes for a good connection.

Clothing
Clothing made of cotton, wool or any natural fibre is conductive. Make sure it’s not too thick and your skin will still be able to connect to the earth.

Socks
Socks are conductive as feet naturally sweat. Silver lined socks are especially great for connectivity.

Blankets
Blankets made of cotton, wool or any natural fibre will also allow earthing to take place.

Trees
Trees are living and connected to the earth so if you are touching a tree grounding can occur.

Vehicles
Vehicles can be considered conductive because they are made of metal so by using a conductive auto pad you can achieve earthing while driving.

Grass
Grass is especially conductive when it’s moist.

Dirt
Dirt is of course conductive as it is the earth! So go on and get dirty! Play in the mud, work in the garden. The messier the better!


NO Not Conductive!

Pavement
Pavement is not conductive so if you live in the city you’ve got to get to a nearby park!

Wood
Wood, once cut from the living tree, is no longer conductive so living in a stick frame house doesn’t allow you to practice earthing.

Plastic
Plastic is also not a suitable substance for earthing so flip flops, most deck furniture and many other items are not conductive.

Rubber
Rubber boots or soled shoes do not allow electrons to permeate through. There are specially made earthing shoes such as Pluggz that have black carbon and rubber targeted centre which are actually made to be conductive.

Sealer
Sealer or painted concrete are non-conductive as the electrons don’t pass through the sealer or paint very well.

Synthetic Materials
Any synthetic material will not be conductive which rules out most common footwear such as running shoes, dress shoes, work boots etc.

Insulated Materials
Any insulated materials such as foam, glass, porcelain work the complete opposite as conductors. 


With a better idea of what materials are conductive, you can begin to practice earthing on purpose today. Start with a pair of Pluggz shoes or natural earthing moccasins. If you cannot change your footwear try grounding pads, blanket or earthing bedding. The Earthing Store has a complete line of copper dot plated footwear as well as leather soled moccasins that are designed with earthing in mind. We have sandals and shoes for men, women and children so visit one of our product pages today for a great deal on some earthing footwear. You won’t be disappointed as we have great selection, remarkable prices, friendly service and fast shipping. 

Bibliography
• Koniver, Laura MD. The Top 3 Earthing FAQ’s. Intuition Physician, 15 Oct. 2012. Web. 29 Sept. 2014. http://www.intuition-physician.com/grounding-faqs/.

• Mercola, Joseph MD. Caution: Wearing These Can Sabotage Your Health. Mercola.com Take Control of Your Health. 29 Apr. 2012. Web. 29 Sept. 2014. 
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/04/29/james-oschman-on-earthing.aspx. Ober, Clint. Earthing FAQs. Unikey • Heatlh Quality Nutritional Supplements. Web. 29 Sept. 2014. http://www.unikeyhealth.com/Earthing_FAQs. 

• Ober, Clint, Stephen T. Sinatra and Martin Zucker. Earthing. The Most Important Health Discovery Ever? Laguna Beach: Basic Health Publications, Inc., 2010. Print.

For a more traditional Earthing shoes, some choose to wear real leather moccasins as a way of avoiding wearing something with a carbon sole or plug. Want to learn more about how leather sole moccasins can work as Earthing shoes? More specifically, read on to find out how oil tan leather works ideally as a sole for an outdoor Grounding shoe.



When you wear natural leather sole shoes the moisture surrounding the leather from the ground and your feet makes the material conductive. This conductivity allows the Earth's electrons to flow through to your feet and neutralize the free radicals within your body. This phenomenon is known as Earthing. Most moccasins have a synthetic insole which prevents this transfer from occurring. However, genuine leather moccasins feature no synthetic materials, only real leather soles. Therefore natural moccasins are conductive and make the perfect, most comfortable Earthing shoes when walking on the Earth's surface.

Authentic, Grounding moccasins in particular, have an extremely thick, durable and tough, oil tan, chromexcel sole, which makes them more durable than most soft sole moccasin style slippers. Moccasins with an oil tan sole have been custom manufactured specifically for those feet that would like to practice Earthing and also benefit from real leather moccasins that will last a long time. All of our oil tan, Earthing moccasin shoes are made with two layers of leather, the outer layer being the thick and heavy grade, oil tan leather making them extra durable and perfect for enjoying Grounding outdoors. If ever our real leather moccasins seem a little stiff when you first wear them, the leather will soften and become more flexible and mould to your feet as you break them in.


We have a couple styles of oil tan Earthing moccasins for both men and women hand sewn by Canada's top moccasin vendors, Bastien Industries and Laurentian Chief. We carry only the best in Earthing footwear so we aim to offer you the best customer service with an overall exceptional online shopping experience. We have a safe and secure checkout with competitive pricing. Enjoy free shipping this summer on orders over $100. We care about helping you practice Grounding this summer so don't hesitate to try a pair of high quality, naturally oil tan leather moccasins, today.