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Earthing and grounding- how to do it and when not to
  • Health

Earthing & Grounding: Legit or Hype? (How to & When Not To)

Katie WellsJul 24, 2017Updated: Jul 30, 2019
Medically reviewed by Dr. Ann Shippy, MD
Reading Time: 7 min

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Wellness Mama » Blog » Health » Earthing & Grounding: Legit or Hype? (How to & When Not To)
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • What is Earthing or Grounding?+−
    • Earthing Science 101
  • Benefits of Earthing & Grounding
  • Scientific Evidence for Earthing+−
    • Grounding and Inflammation
  • My Experience with Earthing+−
    • My Grounding Results
    • I'm not the only one...
  • How to Try Grounding/Earthing+−
    • Earthing Indoors
    • The Basic Concept of Earthing Is This:
  • When NOT To try Earthing/Grounding
  • Earthing: Bottom Line

Earthing (also called grounding) can be a controversial topic. Many people report amazing benefits, while critics point out the lack of solid scientific studies supporting this practice.

Let’s delve into the evidence:

What is Earthing or Grounding?

In short, earthing or grounding is putting the body in direct and uninterrupted contact with the earth. This means that skin needs to touch soil, sand, water, or a conductive surface that is in contact with the earth.

From a scientific perspective, the idea is that the earth has a mild negative charge to it. Over time, especially in modern life, our bodies build up a positive charge. Direct contact with the earth can even out this positive charge and return the body to a neutral state.

Many people don’t have this contact with the earth anymore, and some experts wonder if this is a contributor to the (many) rising health problems we face today. As a population, we wear rubber shoes and live indoors. In theory, many of us could go years without directly touching the earth at all, even if we’re outside.

Over time, the theory is that this positive charge builds and can lead to health problems.

Earthing Science 101

If you’re interested in the deeper science, Dr. Briffa gives a more detailed explanation:

During the normal processes of metabolism the body generates what are called ‘reactive oxygen species’ which are commonly referred to as ‘free radicals’. These compounds appear to be important, at least in part because they have the ability to attack and destroy unwanted things within the body including bacteria and viruses. However, too many free radicals are a bad thing, and have been implicated in chronic disease and well as the very process of aging.

Free radicals are involved in the process known as inflammation, which is part of the healing process. However, low-grade inflammation throughout the body may lead to pain and other problems in the muscles and joints, and is also believed to be a key driving factor in many chronic diseases including heart disease and type 2 diabetes. In short, we want free radicals, but not too many.

Free radicals lack sparks of energy known as ‘electrons’. One way to quell them is to give them electrons, and these can be supplied by nutrients such as vitamins A, C and E, and plant substances known as ‘polyphenols’ (found in, among other things, tea, coffee, cocoa and apples). However, substances we eat and drink are not the only way to get electrons into the body: earthing does this too. If the body has a positive charge on it, earthing allows electrons to flow into the body where, in theory, they can neutralize overblown free radical and inflammatory damage.

Carrying a positive charge may well affect the body in lots of different ways, which means that earthing may offer a range of wellbeing benefits.

Benefits of Earthing & Grounding

According to emerging research, earthing may be beneficial in:

  • Reducing inflammation
  • Reducing chronic pain
  • Improving Sleep (I can vouch strongly for this!)
  • Increasing Energy (I noticed this also)
  • Lowering stress and promoting calmness by reducing stress hormones.
  • Normalizing biological rhythms including circadian rhythm
  • Normalizing blood pressure and blood flow
  • Relieving muscle tension and headache (I noticed this)
  • Improving menstrual and female hormone symptoms
  • Speeds healing- used in some places to prevent bed sores
  • Reducing jet lag
  • Protecting the body from effects of EMFs
  • Shortening recovery time from injury or athletic activity
  • Reducing  snoring
  • Helping  support adrenal health

Scientific Evidence for Earthing

This is where the controversy begins. Critics claim that there isn’t any evidence to back up this practice and that it could even be dangerous. Proponents cite anecdotal evidence and a few small studies.

So who is right?

There actually are a couple of small scale studies that looked at the affects of earthing or grounding. One study examined 60 people with chronic pain and sleep troubles. Half of the participants slept on a grounded sheet to simulate earthing. The other half slept on a placebo sheet.

The participants who slept grounded reported reduction in chronic pain, respiratory problems, arthritis, apnea and hypertension while the control group did not.

Another much smaller study found (PDF) that earthing reduced blood viscosity, which is a risk factor in heart disease.

There have also been some preliminary studies on the effects of grounding on cortisol levels and inflammation (PDF) and I’m confident that research will continue in this area.

Grounding and Inflammation

What fascinates me most is the testing done in thermographic imaging, which basically shows a heat map of the body. Heat patterns can signal inflammation in the body.

How to Get Healthy While You Sleep

This thermographic image was taken of a woman who complained of stiffness and chronic pain. The first picture was taken before earthing, and the second, after just 30 minutes of earthing.

Unfortunately, all of the studies on earthing are relatively small and poorly run. Hopefully future research will shed some light on the effectiveness (or not) of earthing, but for now, the strongest evidence seems to be anecdotal.

The possibility of grounding or earthing resolving inflammation is exciting, as many chronic diseases cause and stem from inflammation in the body.

My Experience with Earthing

I first encountered the idea of “Grounding” or “Earthing” when I read the book Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever.

The idea that we are meant to connect with the earth regularly made sense. At the same time, I was skeptical that something so simple would be effective. I ran the idea by some electrical engineer friends and a friend who has done research in the biomedical field and they confirmed that there could be a beneficial effect to the body.

Have you ever noticed that you sleep better on a beach vacation after walking in the sand or being in the ocean? One theory for that: the sand and ocean water are both naturally conductive materials and both help ground the body and remove excess positive electrons.

To test the theory personally, I decided to make an effort to ground myself outside often and even use an earthing sheet while sleeping.

I was certainly skeptical at first but figured I had nothing to lose by trying to electrically ground myself. I made a point to walk barefoot outside each day and purchased an earthing sheet to use while I was sleeping, as this is the body’s peak repair time.

My Grounding Results

To my surprise, I noticed the first night I used the earthing mat that I fell asleep much easier and had no trouble falling back asleep after waking up to nurse the baby. Of course, one night of results could have easily been placebo.

After sleeping great for about a month, one night I was tossing and turning and couldn’t fall asleep for a couple of hours. The next morning, I realized that the earthing sheet had disconnected!

Blood tests confirmed that my cortisol levels also improved over a period of six months while using an earthing sheet and making an effort to spend time outside barefoot.

From what I’ve read, reactions to earthing/grounding can vary drastically. Some people will notice a difference immediately while others take a few days or weeks. Others won’t feel any changes but measures of cortisol levels will show improvement. In general, it seems that the more inflammation one has, the more of a difference may be noticed from grounding.

I’m not the only one…

Many on the Tour de France, supposedly including Lance Armstrong used an earthing recovery bag to speed recovery and increase sleep quality while on this endurance race. Various Olympic swimmers, runners, and triathletes have reported using Earthing and various professional athletes have used Earthing methods as well.

Well known doctor and natural health proponent Dr. Mercola has reportedly been using an earthing mat for years and even Dr. Oz has gotten on board recently!

How to Try Grounding/Earthing

Obviously, walking outside barefoot is the easiest and cheapest way to ground yourself or practice earthing. If you are close to an ocean or swimmable natural body of water, this is another great way.

To work, the skin must be in direct contact with rock, dirt or water. The beach/ocean is possibly the best place as not only are sand and salt water extremely conductive, but salt water is also very high in magnesium. Perhaps this is why many people seem to sleep better on vacation at the beach!

Earthing Indoors

Those who can’t or don’t want to spend time outdoors can accomplish some of the same results indoors. There are various products to make indoor grounding easy:

  • An earthing mat can be used under your arms or feet while on a computer to reduce the amount of EMFs you are exposed to. It is also easy to bring when traveling.
  • A half size earthing sheet can be used on any bed size.

Personally, I try to use an earthing mat while on my computer (it is under my desk) and an earthing sheet on our bed. I’ve definitely noticed positive changes since beginning this routine.

The Basic Concept of Earthing Is This:

The grounding mat (or sheet) is an amazing invention that allows you to do earthing while you’re inside a building. It just plugs in to the grounding wire port of a normal 3-prong outlet or a grounding rod (US and Canada only). The earth’s natural electrons flow right up through the ground wire and onto the mat, even if you’re in a high rise. The mat comes with an outlet tester you plug in to see if the outlet is configured correctly.

When NOT To try Earthing/Grounding

I recently talked to EMF expert Dr. Libby Darnell of. Revived Living about EMFs and grounding. You can listen to her interview on the podcast here, but she explained one serious caution about earthing that many people don’t consider: ground current.

Basically she explained that if there is a strong ground current it is actually possible that attempting to ground or earth oneself could be problematic and create more problems. In theory, this is most problematic in really large cities and over wires run in the ground. Her podcast episode will talk about how to test for this in your area.

Earthing: Bottom Line

Like I said, this is a controversial topic with a lot of additional research still needed. That said, in most cases (when there isn’t a strong ground current), it is free to go outside and spend some time barefoot. Spending time barefoot has many benefits, so there isn’t really a downside.

It is also relatively simple to try earthing and track results to see if it helps:

  1. Spend a lot of time in contact with the earth or using something like an grounding sheet
  2. Use a sleep app to track sleep patterns and see if sleep improves with earthing
  3. Also keep track of things like joint pain, headaches, etc and see if those improve over time with earthing

This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Ann Shippy, who is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and a certified Functional Medicine physician with a thriving practice in Austin, Texas. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.

Ever tried earthing or grounding? Think it’s crazy? Weigh in below!

Category: HealthReviewer: Dr. Ann Shippy, MD

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About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a wife and mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

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Reader Interactions

Discussion (331 Comments)

  1. Lisa

    February 1, 2013 at 3:35 PM

    Very interesting! I’ve never heard of this, but it’s supportive of barefoot walking, so that’s awesome! =)

    Reply
  2. Cathleen

    January 18, 2013 at 3:47 PM

    I have really been getting some good rest on my recently purchased mat. Although I have to say when it is way below freezing I am very restless. I have been experimenting and it may be my imagination, but I toss and turn when its below 30 degrees, possibly because the earth is cold?!?!

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      January 18, 2013 at 8:39 PM

      Hmmm… maybe. It hasn’t been cold much where we are, but I wonder if that would have an effect…

      Reply
  3. agoss

    November 21, 2012 at 4:28 PM

    Thanks…..he doesn’t sleep ‘shirtless’….any recommendations?

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      November 21, 2012 at 4:52 PM

      under his arms area or lower legs? could also go on the pillow…

      Reply
    • Katelyn

      April 29, 2013 at 8:47 PM

      My handyman dad did a conductivity test on his sheets while they were covered with a cotton fitted sheet and says they still conduct through that layer. If your hubby’s pjs aren’t super-thick he still should get benefit it seems.

      Reply
  4. agoss

    November 21, 2012 at 3:44 PM

    It needs to be skin-to-skin contact? How do you best insure that? I’m thinking of getting this for my skeptical husband who moves all over the house trying to find a good spot to sleep.Thanks!

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      November 21, 2012 at 4:13 PM

      Even if you move, you will still have contact… I move a lot in my sleep also, but as long as he sleeps shirtless and it is under his torso area, he will get contact…

      Reply
  5. Melissa

    September 6, 2012 at 10:29 PM

    The overall concept of connecting to the earth makes a lot of sense, and I will definitely try this. But how can electrons be positive? That part doesn’t seem to make sense.

    Reply
    • Rebekah

      September 13, 2012 at 9:38 AM

      All electrons are either positively or negatively charged. The balance in the charge of the electrons determines the charge of the atom. Sometimes electrons travel on their own and that’s when they can be detrimental to our health.

      Reply
      • Pat

        September 22, 2012 at 6:56 PM

        Electrons are negatively charged. Protons are positively charged. Ions are atoms/molecules that can be either positively charged or negatively charged, depending on whether they have more protons or electrons.

        Reply
        • Saraswati Patel

          January 9, 2021 at 4:04 AM

          Pat is correct. This is basic high school Physics.

          Reply
  6. Jana

    September 6, 2012 at 12:28 PM

    I don’t know if it’s quite the same but I sleep on wood. As you mention, I always enjoyed sleeping outside in a tent or on a meadow but my night rest on my mattress was always exhausting. I was fed up with it and so this winter I tried sleeping on the floor. I used two camping mats covered by a thick cover. It was working for a while but after a few weeks I started feeling something around my kidneys so I assumed it’s too cold to sleep on the floor. I have a solid wood base of my bed so I just took the mattress of the bed and covered the wood with a camping mat and a thick cover over it. I’ve been sleeping on it since then, nearly 8 months now and there is nothing better. At the beginning, for the first week when I was still sleeping on the floor it was uncomfortable for the first three nights because my muscles were tense. Mostly I felt slightly sore pelvis muscles which became completely relaxed after a week. Quickly all the muscles in my body relaxed and I don’t suffer back pain anymore. I sleep soundly and I’m rested when I wake up. I can say much about the menstrual cycle or other cycles because I started paleo diet at the same time. Everything improved but I think it was a combination of the changed sleeping habits and the diet. I could say that one of my missions in life became to avoid sleeping on mattresses as much as I can.

    Reply
  7. Brooke Coleman

    August 14, 2012 at 10:46 AM

    Thanks for all of this! I’ve been thinking about this a lot and I feel in my body that contact with the earth is necessary and you just helped explain the WHY of it–I also never thought about the magnesium in the ocean before. Thanks for connecting some of these dots! I work in women’s health and I think of the importance of earth energy for women and wonder about how urinating on the earth and opening themselves to the earth energy at their root affects their pelvic health. I’m also wondering if humans can ground each other? My kids sure want to sleep on me and I am a part of the earth! Have you seen anything about humans as earthlings/grounders? 

    Reply
  8. Kwise

    August 7, 2012 at 8:26 AM

    How long do these mats last?

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      August 7, 2012 at 10:32 AM

      Supposedly the mat lasts indefinitely and the cover lasts through at least 100 washes. I’ve been using it for months and it hasn’t shown any wear at all…

      Reply
  9. Ion

    July 25, 2012 at 4:05 AM

    When I was a child I used to run and walk without shoes. At that time I was spending a lot of energy, because I needed to help my grand father and there was a lot of work to do. Of course I didn’t have any problems falling asleep. 

    Today I live in a city in an apartment. I do less activity and this affects my sleep. However, I don’t have problems falling asleep. 

    Probably, I feel skeptical about the theory of Earthing.

    Reply
    • Jeff

      September 24, 2014 at 12:15 PM

      Hmm… I’m not certain why so many people are skeptical about Earthing, when it is truly is supported by basic science and a number of scientific studies.

      My advice to anyone who is yet unconvinced, or is sitting on the edge, is to first watch the video documentary entitled “Grounded”, by Kroschel Films (available at Amazon or $16). This is a National Geographic style video (74 minutes) that is both compelling and convincing. This documentary tells the tale of an Earthing “newbie”, and the experiences of other residents of Haines, Alaska. You’ll also follow the film-maker on a globe-trotting adventure in his pursuit of answers to the Earthing debate.

      I had personally ordered an Earthing Sheet and Mat, but my wife really had minimal interest in the products. The video had come in my Earthing “Starter Kit” and I thought why not pop it in the DVD. My wife was doing a bit of homework with my 7 year old son, and as the documentary progressed, they both became intrigued by the film: my son loved watching the scenery and wildlife (moose, bears, wolverine, etc.), while my wife became totally captivated and entranced by the evidence based film that taught her about a health concept that was so simple, and yet so powerful. As the documentary concluded, her comment to me was “Everyone on Planet Earth needs to watch this film”!

      After watching the film, go one more step and read the book entitled “Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever!” The documentary film, and this Earthing book are really a one-two punch that are extremely convincing in terms of the evidence presented.

      There’s not enough room to list all of the evidence in these two resources, but if you want to have a true understanding of the benefits of Earthing, you simply must invest $30 or so, watch the Film, and read the Book. Don’t listen to anyone’s comments about this topic who hasn’t!!

      I’m quite certain that these resources will calm your skepticism!

      Reply
      • brittany

        January 24, 2016 at 2:11 AM

        The film is available on Hulu, and I found the book in my local library, if anyone wants to save there as well.

        Reply
  10. Tiffany

    July 24, 2012 at 12:31 PM

    My I suggest that is its uncomfortable to sit outside and you dont want to buy a mat….would filling a pot with fresh soil and doing a “footsit” in it work maybe. Worth a shot.

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      July 24, 2012 at 1:47 PM

      For it to work, the dirt has to be touching the actual ground/soil or the grounding effect won’t happen… so unless the pot was conductive as well and sitting on the ground, I don’t think it would have the same effect…

      Reply
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