The Health Effects of 5G – Can Earthing Help?

Earthing, also known as grounding, aids the body’s natural antioxidant defence system by providing it with electrons. We look at how earthing could indirectly protect against oxidative stress from radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) including 5G.

Over the past few decades, we have become increasingly reliant on mobile phones. They have undoubtedly made life easier than ever before, but their health effects are not free from controversy. One of the primary concerns is that exposure to EMFs can trigger oxidative stress, which creates the conditions for chronic and degenerative diseases.

Oxidative stress occurs when the body’s antioxidant defence system is unable to prevent the harmful effects of free radicals. Environmental toxins (including EMFs) create more free radicals in the body.

5G has triggered new concerns partly because this technology will increase our exposure to EMFs but also because it will employ previously unused high-frequency waveforms, millimetre waves (mmWaves).

What Is 5G?

5G is a new communication technology that launched in 2019. It is currently being rolled out across Australia and the world. It involves widespread infrastructure changes that will result in extremely fast data transmission speeds.

This 5th generation of mobile technology:

• Uses “small cells” instead of large mobile towers.
• There will be many “small cells” within a square kilometre as each “small cell” has limited coverage of 50 to 200 metres (4G uses towers every 2-15km).
• 5G small cells can be attached to light poles, lamp posts or the side of houses
• They have more receivers/transmitters than a 4G mobile tower, so can serve more users.

This technology is best suited to high-density urban areas due to infrastructure needs so will likely be rolled out in cities only.

5G is also characterised by a larger frequency range. In Australia currently, 5G network uses 3.5GHz frequencies plus 4G networks. However, the federal government will allocate licenses for 26 GHz spectrum in 2021.

What are mmWaves?

Millimetres waves or mmWaves is the name given to electromagnetic radiation with a very short wavelength, namely from 24 GHz upwards. This bandwidth has never been used before in telecommunication.

Is 5G Worse Than 4G or Other Mobile EMFs?

Unfortunately, we don’t yet know for sure exactly how 5G affects the body. Studies on their effect on humans are limited in number and scope, with many focusing on thermal effects (heating).

What we do know is that 5G uses higher frequency radio waves than 4G or other technologies. What this means is that it has shorter wavelengths that may not penetrate the body as deeply as frequencies from older technologies. However, that does not necessarily mean that it is safe, as its effects may be systemic. There have been reports of important biological outcomes after exposure to millimetre wavelengths like those used in 5G. These effects include oxidative stress, altered gene expression, and effects on the skin and immune function.

What Research Has Been Done on Health and Mobile Phones?

The effects of mobile phones on human health is contested.

Some studies show that RF-EMFs may promote oxidative stress, damaging DNA and tissues in areas of the body from reproductive, cardiovascular, metabolic, to the nervous systems. Finally, RF-EMFs may alter bacterial antibiotic resistance, which would create huge challenges in the field of infectious disease.

Several studies have also suggested an increase in brain cancers among children, adolescents, and young adults who use mobile phones. The incidence tumours in other parts of the nervous system also have increased among all age groups.

Most worryingly, we know very little about the effects of wireless radiation in conjunction with other toxins such as air pollution.

How to Reduce Your Exposure to EMFs?

One of the easiest ways to reduce your exposure to EMFs is to simply turn off your mobile devices and wifi when you sleep. Sleep is the time when your body does the lion’s share of repairing and renewing your cells and tissues.

Other simple ways to reduce exposure during the day include:

• Place your mobile at least 1-2 meters away from your body when you aren’t using it.
• Use the speaker or hands-free mode rather than placing the phone against your head.
• Turn your mobile settings to flight mode when you don’t intend to answer calls.
• Don’t upgrade to 5G device. 5G “towers” or small cells are not always on. They ‘turn on’ when a 5G device user sends data. So if you don’t have a 5G device, you won’t be triggering 5G signals to enter your home.

What is Oxidative Stress and How can Earthing help?

Oxidative stress is a process that is caused by molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS), also known as free radicals. The body’s cells naturally generate ROS as a result of energy production.

They are highly reactive molecules which break down cells’ proteins, lipids, and DNA. Therefore, ROS is an important part of the inflammatory process, helping to remove cells that are injured due to trauma or infection.

But while these ROS have an essential physiological role, they cause serious harm if they get out of control. To combat this, the body has several natural antioxidant systems in place. They help to keep free radicals at healthy levels and protect cells from disease.

Unfortunately, the number of ROS that our cells produce can increase due to exposure to radiation and environmental toxins. When this happens, the body’s antioxidant systems cannot cope and the result is oxidative stress.

This is concerning as oxidative stress has been linked with a litany of chronic conditions, including:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes
• Neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, etc.)
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Cancer

Earthing may help to stop the chain reaction created in oxidative stress as it provides the body with a supply of antioxidant-like free electrons.

When you connect to the Earth, free electrons from its surface spread across and into your body. Free radicals are unstable molecules that are often missing an electron. Antioxidants have surplus electrons that they donate to free radicals to neutralise them.

When a free radical meets a free electron, it is neutralised. The earth’s free electrons may help to combat oxidative stress.

While we cannot measure the free electrons coming into the body, we can measure their effect on the body through changes in physiological markers related to ROS and antioxidants. The following study does just that.

Study on Earthing and Injury

Research has shown that grounding has a positive effect on resolving inflammation in the body.

A 2010 pilot study by Brown, Chevalier, and Hill investigated the effects of earthing on delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS).

DOMS is a common condition that occurs after performing strenuous exercise. It causes inflammation and discomfort, which may last for several days. For the pilot study, eight healthy, young men were asked to perform two sets of 20 toe raises. The aim was to induce DOMS in their calf muscles. Half of the men then underwent earthing by attaching conductive patches to their calves and feet and sleeping on conductive sheets. The other half underwent sham-earthing, using the same equipment but modified to prevent contact with the earth.

The research team measured a total of 48 biological markers including two types of white blood cells called neutrophils and lymphocytes that are used by the immune system to fight infection. Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) gives these cells an energy burst to switch to fighter mode, clean up damaged cells and signal repair processes.

Once repairs are done, the body uses antioxidants to retire the killer white blood cells and minimise damage to surrounding healthy tissues.

Bilirubin is one antioxidant that the body creates for this purpose. The study also monitored bilirubin levels in earthed and sham-earthed groups.

There were significant differences between the two groups.

The sham-earthed group used significantly more bilirubin compared to the earthed group.

The researchers theorised that the smaller decrease of the bilirubin in the earthed group was due to the use of free electrons.

In the earthed group, fewer neutrophils and lymphocytes (fighter white blood cells) were needed over time. The researchers theorised that inflammation was resolved quicker because of this.

The results of this study have led researchers to theorise that earthing creates an antioxidant environment around an injury. This, in turn, could slow or prevent the chain reaction caused by free radicals.

Earthing Supports Your Body-Wide Antioxidant Defence System

Researchers believe that earthing supplements the body’s natural antioxidant system to reduce oxidative stress or ongoing inflammation that creates the conditions for disease.

In their 2015 review, Oschman, Chevalier, and Brown hypothesised that when you come into contact with the Earth, free electrons enter your body via connective tissue.

These electrons are then stored in the highly electrically charged polyelectrolyte gel within collagen cells, acting as a kind of reservoir. This body-wide network can deliver electrons to any part of the body as and when needed.

Regular grounding helps to fill up these reservoirs, keeping the body in a state of “inflammation preparedness.” Grounding has the potential to supplement the body’s antioxidant defence system at any given time, protecting every cell, tissue, and organ from damage.

More research is necessary to fully understand how earthing keeps us safe from oxidative stress and EMFs. However, because of its potential to support our in-built defence mechanisms, earthing could be a powerful tool in restoring the body from the effects of electromagnetic radiation.

How to Start Earthing

The good news is that earthing is easy. To try it yourself, simply step outside and walk barefoot on a conductive surface like grass, sand, or unpainted concrete.

To benefit from earthing on a more regular basis, consider investing in an indoor earthing product. There is a wide variety to choose from, including bedding, grounding mats, and wraps. These items allow you to enjoy earthing in the comfort of your own home, while you work, relax, or sleep.