When was the last time you walked outside barefoot? For most of us, it's probably been a while. But this earthing practice, also called grounding, is proposed to have various benefits for our health. Grounding sheets are designed as a way to 'connect to the earth' while we sleep. Here, we talk about the scientific evidence behind the benefits of grounding sheets and discuss common misconceptions about earthing.
What is an earthing sheet?
Earthing or grounding techniques involve making direct contact with the earth's surface. Historically, it's been done by standing or walking barefoot on the grass or dirt. The concept is based on the idea that Earth has an abundance of electrons, which may enter our body when we have direct contact. Some proponents suggest that these electrons may reduce free radicals that can damage our cells and contribute to various health problems. However, scientific evidence for these claims is limited.
Grounding sheets are designed to be placed on your bed like mattress pads. They tap into the 'Earth's electrons' by plugging into the ground port of an electrical plug, which provides a path for the electrical current. These sheets are made of conductive materials, like silver or carbon microfibers woven into the fabric.
Limited scientific investigations highlighted the potential of grounding to contribute to some health benefits, like alleviated stress levels, decreased inflammation and pain, improved sleep, and wound healing, making this a popular option among alternative medicine proponents.
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Earthing sheet myths debunked: addressing common misconceptions
Like many integrative medicine practices, there are a lot of misconceptions about grounding and its claimed health benefits. Many of these come from extensive anecdotal evidence without much scientific basis.
1. Earthing sheets offer immediate health improvements
The amount of time it takes to notice grounding's effects is individual. As with any remedy, some may feel effects immediately, while it may take others weeks or months to notice a change. Some self-reports say that the stress reduction is noticed almost immediately after grounding.
2. All earthing sheets are equally effective
Not all earthing sheets are the same. Poor-quality fibers and conductive materials may not last very long. Another thing to consider is the difficulty of controlling for all of the factors that may impact grounding experience, like individual differences or environmental influences. This means that even if health claims are true, the effectiveness will still vary in ways we can't control.
3. Earthing sheets are just placebos
A placebo is a fake treatment that seems real but has no direct pharmacological effect. It is often used in research and complementary medicine studies as a comparison to an active treatment. It's considered a psychological effect because some claim to get benefits from placebos even though there's no explanation for the effect.
The scientific evidence around grounding sheets is limited, but the existing studies use regular sheets to assess the benefits of real grounding sheets. Some evidence shows significant improvement in circulation and reduced inflammation in the people who were grounded group compared to those who weren't. However, due to the variations in study quality and effectiveness, more research needs to be done.
4. Earthing can cure chronic illnesses
Earthing is proposed to have some potential benefits for the human body, but it cannot be considered a treatment for any health condition. Some preliminary research suggests that it may have a positive impact on inflammation. Research using thermal imaging compared levels of inflammation and pain before and after grounding and claimed that patients had reduced inflammation. While this gives a promise to grounding's benefits, there is a lack of scientific evidence of its safety and efficacy in affecting symptoms of chronic health conditions.
5. Earthing sheets are dangerous
Grounding sheets are generally safe; however, there are some potential risks you need to be aware of. If grounding outside, be aware of where you're walking barefoot to avoid stepping on something sharp or damaging to your feet. There is a risk of electric shock if the sheet isn't plugged in correctly. Be sure to follow directions closely. Finally, no grounding device should be used during a thunderstorm. There's the risk of lighting hitting the ground nearby and sending the charge through the earth.
Some people say they experience electrosensitivity, where they feel ill or have strange sensations when starting to ground. However, this is not a validated condition, and these symptoms are more likely psychological or caused by something else.
What does research really say?
While the research is limited, some studies suggest some potential health benefits. A small study looking at the benefits of grounding found significant improvements for massage therapists. Those who stood on a grounding mat while working for six weeks reported significantly less pain compared to those who used a regular mat.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is also proposed to benefit from regular grounding. A case study found that patients using a grounding sheet for at least 10 hours a day for several months had improvements in blood pressure. This small case series calls for more robust clinical trials to clarify and better understand how grounding affects blood pressure. The current evidence is mostly anecdotal and not well understood.
Another study investigating grounding's effects on mood compared positive and negative outcomes between a group that grounded and another that didn't. The grounded group reported significantly increased positive mood compared to the non-grounded group. Further research is needed to understand how and if grounding affects mental well-being.
While some research suggests that grounding may improve pain, inflammation, and sleep, the studies are poorly designed and have small sample sizes, making the results unreliable. If grounding is as effective as self-reports suggest, larger, well-designed studies like randomized clinical trials are needed to understand how it works and the mechanisms behind its effects.
Have you tried grounding sheet before? Share your experience with us in the comments section.
Alternatives to earthing sheets
There are many different grounding products and devices available if you are looking for an alternative to sheets.
- Walking barefoot. If you're not interested in grounding indoors, try grounding the traditional way: walking barefoot outside. Just 10–40 minutes a day walking on grass or dirt may help you connect to the earth while enjoying some fresh air.
- Mindfulness practices. Mindfulness practices bring your attention to the present moment using your breath and senses. They can lower cortisol levels, our stress hormone, decreasing anxiety and stress. It also lowers inflammation, suggesting similar benefits as grounding.
- Exercise. Similar to grounding, research suggests that exercise has anti-inflammatory effects, benefiting patients with chronic diseases like arthritis and lupus. Exercise can also support the immune system and reduce visceral fat, which can have anti-inflammatory benefits.
- Other grounding devices. Other devices like grounding mats, grounding patches, grounding bands, and grounding blankets are available on the market. Grounding bands and patches have direct contact with your skin. Blankets can be worn while on the couch or sleeping.
The verdict: are earthing sheets worth it?
Despite limited research, there are some self-reports that support trying earthing sheets. They are a safe way to practice grounding with the possibility to improve overall well-being.
While grounding practices are becoming popular, they also come with some skepticism. Emerging self-reports and limited research suggest that grounding may offer some health benefits, from improved sleep to reduced inflammation and stress. However, like any emerging wellness practice, results may vary, and more rigorous, large-scale studies are needed to better understand their long-term effects.
Do you have questions or want to know more about grounding sheets? Ask your questions in the comments section!
FAQ
Are grounding sheets real or fake?
Grounding sheets are a real product designed to mimic the earth's electrical energy. This energy is linked to benefits such as improving sleep and lowering inflammation. However, research support for these health claims is extremely limited.
Is there science behind grounding sheets?
Yes, but more research is needed. There are some scientific studies done on grounding as a practice. However, they are limited both in number and quality. Larger scale studies are needed to better understand grounding benefits and long-term safety.
What are the negatives of grounding sheets?
Grounding sheets are generally safe for most people to use. However, to avoid electrical shock, it's important to follow directions closely and plug them in properly. It's also important not to use them during a thunderstorm. Products also may vary in effectiveness.
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Rubber shoe soles and living in urban cities have reduced our connection to the earth's surface and its potential benefits.
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Due to the lack of research evidence, there are a lot of misconceptions about whether or not grounding sheets work and have the benefits they claim to.
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Though extremely limited, some studies support grounding techniques for improving sleep, lowering inflammation and pain, and improving mood and overall well-being.
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Grounding sheets are an affordable and generally safe option for those looking for alternative ways to improve their well-being.
12 resources
- EXPLORE. Integrative and lifestyle medicine strategies should include earthing (grounding): review of research evidence and clinical observations.
- Biomedical Journal. Grounding (earthing) as related to electromagnetic hygiene: an integrative review.
- Health. One-hour contact with the earth’s surface (grounding) improves inflammation and blood flow—a randomized, double-blind, pilot study.
- EXPLORE. The effects of grounding (earthing) on bodyworkers’ pain and overall quality of life: a randomized controlled trial.
- Alternative Therapies. Grounding patients with hypertension improves blood pressure: a case history series study.
- Psychological Reports. The effect of grounding the human body on mood.
- Biomedical Journal. Grounding – the universal anti-inflammatory remedy.
- Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. The biologic effects of grounding the human body during sleep as measured by cortisol levels and subjective reporting of sleep, pain, and stress.
- Journal of Inflammation and Research. The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
- Current Psychology. How do mindfulness-based programmes improve anxiety, depression and psychological distress? A systematic review.
- Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology. Exercise and inflammation.
- Biomedical Journal. Practical applications of grounding to support health
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