“Earthing” or Grounding describes a direct contact with the earth. This relatively new practice is very popular in the biohacking communityThe direct contact with the ground with its natural electrical charge is intended to stabilize the body's physiology. Physiology refers to all biophysical and biochemical processes in our organism.
The resulting charge balance is said to reduce inflammation, stress and pain. Improvements in individual body processes are also described: blood flow, energy and even sleep are said to benefit enormously from conscious, regular contact with the natural surface.
What is the current state of research?
Earthing is naturally still a relatively new topic in research. By 2020, around 20 studies had dealt with the topic. The problem with the study situation is that the test groups were very small. The validity of the postulated effects of charge balancing must therefore be critically questioned. Future studies will show whether earthing can actually claim the effects mentioned.
How do I implement Earthing?
Maybe you've seen someone walking barefoot through the city center when the outside temperature is 10°C? Then you've probably seen biohacking in practice. Do you have to do that too? No, earthing can be done differently.
In general, the Grounding good results can be achieved with just 10 minutes a day. You can walk on asphalt, sand, forest floor, grass and many other conductive surfaces. You can also lie on the ground. Summer is a little better for this with the higher temperatures. So that you can also easily ground yourself in winter or in colder temperatures, there are bed sheets, for example, which have a very similar effect to the surface of the earth due to a certain material composition. There are also grounding mats for your feet or socks that are supposed to simulate the effect. Even simpler than new grounding gadgets and just as effective is walking barefoot. You don't have to bear any major expenses and not only benefit from the load balancing, but you also do something good for your body. It is not for nothing that so-called barefoot shoes have been a big topic for several years. This puts significantly more strain on the foot and calf muscles and before putting the foot down there is a Pre-activation of the corresponding muscles and the arch of the foot This way, your body prepares for the "impact" and can ultimately absorb the contact better. Thick foam soles on running shoes give the body no opportunity to prepare and the sudden impact "surprises" the feet. By occasionally running barefoot, you not only make your body happy, but also any orthopedic specialists.
Connection with diseases
In fact, relevant literature suggests a connection between our lifestyle and the associated loss of contact with nature and many chronic diseases. These include cardiovascular diseases (e.g. high blood pressure), respiratory diseases, neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's), autoimmune diseases and diabetes.
Since these groups of diseases pose a long-term threat to our health and also affect a large part of the population, a prevention option using earthing seems to make sense. Even if definitive evidence for the specific associations is still pending, the health benefits of walking barefoot are proven beyond doubt.
Does Earthing affect your sporting goals?
A study is sure that you will benefit from it in terms of sport. One topic in sports medicine is “delayed onset muscular soreness” (DOMS). A study was recently carried out at the University of Salzburg in connection with DOMS. It emerged that athletes had significantly better regeneration when they slept in a grounded state. This can be explained by the anti-inflammatory effect on small micro-damages in the muscles. Sports activity can cause these mini-injuries.
Other studies have looked at heat generation and recorded patients using thermal imaging cameras. The conditions for participation were knee pain, which could be shown with an increased temperature in the thermal images. After the first recording, the patients were grounded and had a significantly lower temperature. The results were visible after just 30 minutes and are quite impressive.
Effects on blood circulation
In another study, the researchers focused on blood circulation. In the small study group, blood circulation improved by about 270% within two hours of earthing. The effect was explained by the negative charge, which causes blood cells to clump together. By reducing the charge, there are fewer clots and the blood can flow better through the vessels.
outlook
The topic is very interesting simply because simple contact with the earth is said to be enough to sustainably improve certain health parameters. However, clearer studies with larger populations, comparison groups and different questions are still needed to make a clear recommendation.
Maybe you should try to walk barefoot as often as possible during the summer – at least your feet will thank you. And you might notice some of the postulated healing contact with Mother Nature
Sources
Literature:
- Menigoz W, Latz TT, Ely RA, Kamei C, Melvin G, Sinatra D. (2020) Integrative and lifestyle medicine strategies should include Earthing (grounding): Review of research evidence and clinical observations. Explore (NY).;16(3):152-160. doi: 10.1016/j.explore.2019.10.005.
- Sokal K, Sokal P. (2011) Earthing the human body influences physiologic processes. J Altern Complement Med.(4):301-8. doi: 10.1089/acm.2010.0687.
- Chevalier G, Patel S, Weiss L, Chopra D, Mills PJ. (2019) The Effects of Grounding (Earthing) on Bodyworkers’ Pain and Overall Quality of Life: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Explore (NY). 15(3):181-190. doi: 10.1016/j.explore.2018.
- Oschman JL, Chevalier G, Brown R. (2015)The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. J Inflamm Res.;8:83-96.. doi:10.2147/JIR.S69656
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