Can Earthing be one of the most important health discoveries of our time? Backed by scientific evidence many professionals are agreeing that this relatively new concept has positive effects on human health. So…is this another fad or is it based on scientific evidence? Buddha said, “Believe nothing just because someone else believes it. Believe only what you yourself test and believe to be true”.

The concept of Earthing is simple and easy to understand…in actual fact it makes complete sense to me.  In 1996 my children and I purchased a property in New Zealand and Anahata Yoga Retreat was born. I began my journey into Permaculture and alternative healing and the concept of Earthing was introduced to me. Back then I wrapped a quartz crystal in copper wire and attached it to the wall of the main house. I then took that copper wire out through the wall and grounded it in the earth outside…a crude but effective, early Earthing attempt.

Based on extensive research, it is now recognised and acknowledged that connecting to the Earth’s energy promotes physical wellbeing. This phenomenon is known as Earthing or grounding. The action of Earthing refers to the physical connection between the earth and the electrical frequencies of the human body. We are all aware of intensified energy and a feeling of peace and total balance when we walk along a beach and allow the waves to wash over our feet or when we when we walk barefoot in the grass.

Although Earthing seems like a relatively new concept, in the late 1990’s retired cable TV executive, Clint Ober introduced the idea. His concept was met with ridicule. Most people questioned how a “cable guy” could know about health. Ober learned the ins and outs of “grounding” through hands on work laying cable systems and discovered the relationship between Earthing and physical health. He and a few of his supporters performed various studies examining the effects on physical health of people sleeping while grounded. He found consistent outcomes with participants reporting reduction of pain and better sleep. Ober believed that this outcome was due to the elimination of static electricity. This proved to be only a part of the chronic pain puzzle.

As an executive for cable TV, Ober learned that Earth’s electrical surface was made up of negative charged electrons (also known as free electrons) and that these electrons have the ability to move more freely and reduce positive charges (free radicals). He knew that free radicals continue to ravage our body’s healthy cells in search of the one thing they are missing, an electron. Once a free radical finds its missing electron, it is satiated and it no longer works to assist in clearing inflammation in the body. While many of us may grow to be “electron deficient”, we now understand that the earth below our feet is the greatest source of electrons. In order to access these electrons, we have to maintain contact with the earth.

In 2004 Ober gained scientific support and finally published one of his articles in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine with impressive results. According to the article, “Earthing during sleep resynchronizes cortisol secretion more in alignment with its natural, normal rhythm.” Cortisol secretion is the body’s natural reaction to stresses.

Another interesting series of studies took place much earlier during the 1960s & 70s. Researchers at Germany’s Max Planck Institute isolated volunteers in underground rooms that were electrically shielded from Earth’s electric field. All study participants developed abnormal physiological patterns including: chaotic hormonal production, disturbed sleep patterns and a general disruption of basic body regulation.

Others were exposed to “Earthing” during the same studies and reported the following results:

• Improved sleep
• Decreased pain and inflammation
• Reduced feelings of stress
• Improvements in gastrointestinal symptoms.

Therefore, evidence suggests that negatively charged free electrons on Earth’s surface are responsible for bringing the electric energy levels of the human body in sync with that of the earth which in turn promotes overall health and vitality.

Earthing can be achieved in a number of ways: standing, sitting, lying or walking with direct skin contact with the ground is the easiest but conducting and grounding products like bed sheets provide a convenient method of connecting with earth when it’s otherwise impractical.

Recommended Book: Earthing – The most important health discovery ever? by Clinton Ober, Stephen T. Sinatra, M.D. & Martin Zucker