title: Earthing: health implications of reconnecting the human body to the Earth's surface electrons.
abstract: Environmental medicine generally addresses environmental factors with a negative impact on human health. However, emerging scientific research has revealed a surprisingly positive and overlooked environmental factor on health: direct physical contact with the vast supply of electrons on the surface of the Earth. Modern lifestyle separates humans from such contact. The research suggests that this disconnect may be a major contributor to physiological dysfunction and unwellness. Reconnection with the Earth's electrons has been found to promote intriguing physiological changes and subjective reports of well-being. Earthing (or grounding) refers to the discovery of benefits-including better sleep and reduced pain-from walking barefoot outside or sitting, working, or sleeping indoors connected to conductive systems that transfer the Earth's electrons from the ground into the body. This paper reviews the earthing research and the potential of earthing as a simple and easily accessed global modality of significant clinical importance.
authors.affiliation: Developmental and Cell Biology Department, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA. dlbogc@sbcglobal.net
authors.forename: Gaétan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chevalier
authors.forename: Stephen T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Sinatra
authors.forename: James L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Oschman
authors.forename: Karol
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sokal
authors.forename: Pawel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sokal
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D018534:Earth, Planet; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004583:Electrons; D004777:Environment; D019550:Environmental Medicine; D005121:Extremities; D055593:Geological Phenomena; D006262:Health; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology*; D018594:Human Body; D006801:Humans; D007154:Immune System Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D011187:Posture; D012890:Sleep