Misinformation about grounding and grounding products
Grounding occurs when technical equipment or the human body (or other material) that conducts current is connected directly to earth (the ground) via a conductor. The same happens when you walk barefoot on the beach, touch a tree, swim in a body of water or in the sea or are in direct contact with the ground in some other way. We usually associate grounding with electrical and technical equipment that is exposed to static electricity and electromagnetic noise. Grounding gained its first technical significance in the middle of the 19th century when the precursor to telephony (the telegraph) was introduced with a cable across the Atlantic Ocean. Electrical noise occurred on the line, but was completely eliminated when the system was grounded. Since then, all sensitive electrical equipment has been grounded, which means that the equipment and the ground (earth) have the same electrical potential and that static electricity is diverted to earth. Simply put, it happens together with the body when it is directly connected to the ground using the grounding sheet, grounding mat or when we go barefoot outside. There is a lot of information about grounding in Norwegian from several sources, including Uno Vita AS (shop.unovita.com) and Helsemagasinet vitenskap og fornuft (vof.no). Unfortunately, Norwegian articles have also been published based on a German article from 2005, but which give technically incorrect information about grounding. Our ancestors enjoyed the health benefits of being grounded by having dirt floors in their houses and wearing leather shoes that conduct electricity. However, they were "disconnected" from the earth when those introduced began to lay wooden floors in earth huts and later introduced rubber soles, linoleum flooring, etc. Research has clearly shown that such advances had costs which recent research has clearly documented.
Erroneous claims and some explanations
Claims that grounding should be harmful to health are, among other things, presented by EMF Consult on their websites. We add that this company also provides a lot of correct information about radiation and related topics, but when this contributes to people who would benefit from sleeping on the grounding sheet not doing so, errors should be pointed out.
Claim 1: Grounding worsens electric fields and is harmful to the body
When the body (or any conductor through which electrons travel) is grounded, a protective field is created around the body (the umbrella effect). Electrical appliances in Norway are normally connected to the mains (alternating current, 50 Hz, 220/230 volts). All devices or conductors where current flows form electric fields. When you are in the vicinity of these electric fields, parts of the electrons in the body begin to "wobble" or oscillate in time with the 50 Hz frequencies from the electricity grid and the electrical appliances. If you are in direct contact with the earth (grounded), this effect is significantly reduced, and the body is more relaxed. It is correct that the electric field around the grounding sheet and/or the body on top of the sheet increases. Wherever electrons move in a conductor (current), the electric field is created around the conductor. The field in the body is reduced, and the noise is reduced (the umbrella effect) in addition to health-giving micro currents flowing from the earth to the body. The same happens when you are on the beach in the summer. In other words, the claim about "deterioration" is wrong regardless of whether the claim is based on a misunderstanding or a lack of knowledge of basic physics. The body has a reduced effect of electric fields when it is grounded and not the other way around. This is also why electrical equipment has been grounded since the mid-1800s.
Claim 2: Using the grounding sheet increases the load on the body in most cases
It has been documented that the opposite is the case (see links at the bottom) and that the effect of alternating current (AC) fields is reduced when sleeping on the grounding sheet.
Claim 3: The thunderstorm and lightning theory
It is suggested that the earthing sheet "attracts" radiation in the same way that lightning will take the shortest path to earth. This is also wrong. Firstly, all earthing sheets and mats (produced by Uno Vita and others we are familiar with) are equipped with a 100 kilo-Ohm resistance. This means that, whatever the reason, it is not technically possible for high voltage to pass through the sheet or the person lying on top of it. The risk of lightning coming in through the window rather than striking the highest conductor (tree, telephone pole, roof, pipe, antenna, etc.) and taking the shortest route to earth via the sheet is not present because the sheet has too high a resistance. Those who use the grounding sheet are 100% protected against such a possibility. Secondly, it is physically wrong that a grounding sheet "attracts" radiation. Electric fields occur as a result of current flowing through a conductor. An earthing sheet is a conductor, and as previously mentioned, a field arises around the sheet and/or the person lying on it. The sheet cannot "attract" fields, it goes against the laws of physics.
Claim 4: There is no purpose in measuring body tension
It is claimed that there is no purpose in measuring body voltage against earth (earth's electrical potential). Of course, it is appropriate to measure that you are grounded (then the voltage to earth will be reduced towards 0) to know that the sheet, mat or whatever other equipment you use to ground yourself actually works and will provide the health effects we know earthing offers.
Assertion 5: The electric field determines how much current passes through the body
It is important to understand that electric fields do not have moving electrons in them (otherwise we would call it electricity), but only energy. Electric fields can help move electrons where there are electrons, such as in a conductor such as the body. Therefore, fields with 50 Hz alternating current (AC) will help the body's electrons "wobble" back and forth until you are connected to earth. Then you become an extension of the earth's (the largest electromagnet we have) electric potential, and the umbrella effect occurs (a protective effect). Induced voltage is dissipated to ground at the speed of light (instantaneous). Should one be connected directly to an electrical source that can actually emit a dangerous current of electrons (current from a broken household appliance, for example), the sheet is equipped with a resistance that makes it technically impossible for a dangerous current to pass through the body. Claim 5 is therefore irrelevant for the use of the earthing sheet.
Conclusion: risks of grounding, electric fields and health benefits of grounding
Grounding (walking barefoot, sleeping on the ground, on the grounding sheet, using a grounding mat) is beneficial to health. Before 2017, 20 controlled studies were published documenting that grounding is health-promoting in several areas and recommended for everyone, in the same way as it is recommended to be outside and in contact with the ground, get fresh air and daylight. It is true that electromagnetic radiation (abbreviated EMF) from wireless networks, mobile phones, current-carrying cables, high-voltage cables, chargers and other electrical equipment creates fields that can be a burden to the body. Grounding does not solve all radiation problems, but reduces the effect of several of them and provides a beneficial therapeutic effect. Uno Vita and partners generally advise everyone to reduce exposure to man-made radiation (EMF). Reduction of exposure can be done by various shielding measures (fabric, curtains, coverings, paint, mats, etc.) which block/reflect high-frequency radiation and divert low-frequency electrical radiation to earth. You can also reduce noise on the electricity grid by using dirty current filters, and you can use technology that reduces the damaging effect of radiation (Spinor). Many aspects of man-made electromagnetic radiation can be harmful. We therefore recommend that anyone with an older house and wiring, or if there is a suspicion of a fault, have their electrical system checked. Switch to earthed cabling where it is possible to get the electrician to check that there is a good earth without creepage, as it should be. Well-grounded cabling in the house reduces noise and means that you can be grounded in every room you stay in. Feel free to contact us for help.
Health effects of grounding summarized
All living beings have always been in contact with the ground, and humans only lost such contact a few hundred years ago. Since the 1950s, the industrialized part of the world has almost completely lost contact with the ground. If you walk barefoot, swim in the sea and are in direct contact with the earth, it is good medicine. When you sleep and are inside, you are cut off from the natural electrical stimulation from the ground. Studies of a group that slept grounded showed the following:
· 85% fell asleep faster
· 93% slept better throughout the night
· 82% experienced a reduction in muscle stiffness
· 74% experienced a reduction or elimination of pain
· 78% experienced better health
Published studies show that grounding improves the blood's ability to transport oxygen, which i.a. counteracts cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, they show that grounding has a positive effect on the hormonal system, mineral balance and generally reduces inflammation and pain.
Research that shows that electric fields in houses do not pose any health risk when grounded
Effects of Grounding on Body Voltage and Current in the Presence of Electromagnetic Fields Richard Brown, PhD
Studies documenting the beneficial health effects of earthing
Pub Med on grounding
Earthing institute
Google Scholar
Grounding basics (English)
Understand earthing from the Earthing institute
Grounding products, grounding sheets, grounding mats and grounding spikes can be ordered in the online store: shop.unovita.com
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Uno Vita AS - Sjøgata 15, 1516 Moss - Norway
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