Earthing Through Mats, Grass, Ocean and Trees

The idea behind grounding or earthing is that our bodies, being electrical in nature, can benefit from being in direct contact with the Earth’s electrons to balance our own electrical system.

In my own experience, grounding has provided a noticeable muscle-relaxing and energizing/refreshing effect, and appears to have a variety of physical benefits. One of my first experiences years ago was with a PEMF mat called BEMER, in which the mat calculates the precise Schumann resonance at your given geographic location, and emits that frequency, which can range from around 7hz to 10hz. But since then, I've experienced many other ways of grounding that seem equally effective. 

Grounding mats, or earthing mats, are a little different from PEMF mats, and require no electrical input. These mats connect directly to the earth and are designed to help people reconnect with the Earth's natural negatively-charged electrical field. Here’s how they work to help discharge positive electricity:

1. Understanding Positive and Negative Charges

• Our bodies can accumulate positive charge (mainly from sources like electronic devices, power lines, and other electromagnetic fields), which may cause discomfort or increase stress.
• The Earth has an abundant supply of free electrons, which are negatively charged. These electrons are naturally drawn to our bodies when we come into direct contact with the Earth’s surface.

2. How Grounding Mats Work

Grounding mats are designed to mimic the natural electrical contact with the Earth, allowing you to safely discharge positive electrical charges from your body. Here’s the process: 1).Connection to the Earth: Grounding mats are typically made of conductive materials (like carbon or silver threads) that are connected to the Earth’s electrical grid through a grounding wire. This wire is often plugged into a grounded electrical outlet or connected directly to the Earth through a stake. 2). Electron Transfer: When you place your bare skin (typically your feet or hands) on the grounding mat, the free electrons from the Earth are transferred through the mat to your body. These electrons neutralize the excess positive charges in your body, helping to balance your electrical state. 4). Discharge of Positive Charge: By providing a pathway for the free electrons to flow from the Earth into your body, the grounding mat helps to discharge excess positive charge that may have built up in your system. This is thought to reduce the effects of electromagnetic pollution, promote a sense of calm, and reduce inflammation and pain.

3. Potential Benefits of Using Grounding Mats

• Reduced Inflammation: The neutralizing effect of grounding is said to reduce inflammation by reducing oxidative stress in the body, potentially helping with conditions like arthritis or chronic pain.
• Better Sleep: Many users report improved sleep quality, as grounding can help regulate circadian rhythms and reduce stress.
• Increased Energy and Reduced Stress: By discharging excess positive charge, grounding mats may help improve mood and reduce stress by promoting a balanced, stable electrical state in the body.
• Improved Circulation and Healing: Some studies suggest that grounding can improve blood flow and help with healing by reducing inflammation and improving oxygen delivery to tissues.

4. Scientific Backing

Some studies suggest that grounding can have a positive impact on inflammation, pain, and sleep, but the scientific evidence is still limited. More research is needed to fully understand the long-term health benefits. It’s also important to note that while grounding mats are generally considered safe, their effectiveness is still a subject of debate in the scientific community. The most important point is not to use your electric outlet's grounding plug, but instead use a rod planted into the earth. The reason is that the electrical outlet's ground connection, can pick-up the dirty electricity in the environment, and many people report feeling worse after using this connection. Grounding directly into the earth with a grounding rod and connecting cable, ensures no dirty electricity from the internal wiring is being shared with the mat. 

5. How to Use Grounding Mats

• Use While Sleeping: Grounding mats can be placed under your sheet or mattress to discharge energy while you sleep.
• During the Day: You can use the mat while sitting or working at a desk, ensuring that you have direct skin contact with the mat.

To sum it up, grounding mats work by providing a way for your body to discharge positive electricity and absorb the Earth’s negatively charged electrons. Many people have found it a useful tool for improving their physical and mental well-being.

How Grass Can Have a Grounding Effect

Connection to the Earth's Electrical Field:

Since living grass is conductive, when you walk on grass barefoot, your body can absorb these free electrons, which helps neutralize the excess positive charge (also known as electromagnetic pollution) that may have accumulated in your body from sources like electronics, wireless radiation, power lines, and other environmental factors.

Natural Conductor:

• Grass acts as a conductor of these free electrons because the moisture in the soil, the blades of grass, and the roots, carry the Earth's natural electrical charge up to the surface. This allows the electrons to flow into your body when you come into contact with the grass.

Discharging Positive Charge:

• As your body absorbs these free electrons, it helps to neutralize the positive charge that might be contributing to stress, inflammation, or discomfort. This process can make you feel more relaxed and balanced.

Health Benefits of Grounding on Grass:

• • Reduced Inflammation: Grounding by walking on grass or sitting on the ground can help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, potentially alleviating pain from conditions like arthritis.
  • Improved Sleep: Some people report better sleep quality when practicing earthing, as it helps regulate circadian rhythms and calm the nervous system.
  • Reduced Stress: Grounding can help lower cortisol levels and promote a sense of well-being and calmness.
  • Better Circulation and Healing: There is some evidence suggesting grounding may improve circulation, reduce muscle tension, and aid in faster healing by reducing inflammation.

How to Ground with Grass:

• Walk Barefoot: One of the simplest ways to ground with grass is to walk barefoot on a natural grassy surface. The longer you walk or stand, the more likely it is that you will absorb the Earth's negative charge.
• Sit on Grass: You can also sit or lie down on the grass, with as much skin contact as possible to maximize the grounding effect.

Important Considerations:

• Moisture: Grass that is wet or damp (after rain or morning dew) is a particularly effective conductor of the Earth's charge. If the grass is dry, it may not conduct as well.
• Natural Environment: The grounding effect works best when you are in a natural, unpaved area. Urban areas, where grass is often surrounded by concrete, can limit the full grounding potential, as the concrete can block or alter the natural flow of the Earth's charge.
• Parasites like Strongyloides: 

  Strongyloides, specifically Strongyloides stercoralis, is a parasitic nematode that primarily infects humans through direct skin contact with contaminated soil. In the United States, the prevalence of Strongyloides in soil, including in grass and public parks, is very low, particularly in temperate and urban areas. Most infections are reported in regions with poor sanitation, warm and humid climates.

  Key points:

  • Urban parks and lawns in most U.S. cities are generally safe because routine maintenance, irrigation, and limited fecal contamination make conditions unsuitable for Strongyloides larvae.
  • Risk increases in areas with uncontrolled animal feces or poor sanitation, but this is uncommon in managed parks.

  • The parasite prefers moist, shaded soil and cannot survive long in dry or cold conditions, which further limits its prevalence in typical U.S. grassy areas.

  So, while grounding practices involve direct contact with soil or grass, the risk of acquiring Strongyloides from well-maintained U.S. parks is low. Basic hygienic practices, like washing hands and feet after contact with soil, is sufficient to minimize any potential risk.

How Trees and Leaves Can Provide a Grounding Effect:

1. Trees as Electrical Conductors:

   1. Trees, like all living plants, are connected to the Earth through their roots. The roots absorb water and minerals from the soil, and this water conducts the Earth’s negative charge (free electrons). This means that trees, just like grass, act as natural conductors of the Earth's energy.

   2. When you touch the leaves or branches of a tree, especially if the tree is in direct contact with the Earth, you can still receive electrons from the tree, helping to neutralize the positive charge in your body.

2. Energy Transfer from the Tree:

   • While the leaves themselves might not be as conductive as the roots or the trunk of the tree, touching the tree can still allow a flow of free electrons to pass into your body, especially if the tree is healthy and rooted in the Earth. The conductivity of the tree can vary depending on factors like moisture content in the tree and the soil.

   • Trees are often much taller and can have a larger surface area in contact with the Earth's energy, meaning that the grounding effect can be strong, especially if you’re in direct physical contact with the tree, such as by hugging or touching the trunk.

3. Similar Effect to Grounding on Grass:

   1. Both activities (touching a tree or walking on grass) can help discharge excess positive charge from your body. This can result in improved balance in your body's electrical system, reducing stress, improving circulation, and promoting a sense of calm.

   2. The tree’s leaves and branches might not offer the same direct and potent transfer of electrons as grass or bare soil, but they can still act as a conduit for the Earth’s energy.

4. Nature’s Overall Grounding Effect:

   • Trees and plants are an integral part of the natural ecosystem that supports grounding. Their connection to the Earth’s electrical field can have a beneficial effect on human health by allowing us to absorb electrons, which is thought to reduce inflammation, improve blood circulation, and help regulate the body's natural rhythms (like sleep and stress response).

The Benefits of Touching Trees:

• Reduces Stress: Just like grounding on grass, touching trees can help calm your nervous system and reduce cortisol (stress hormone) levels.
• Increases Relaxation: Direct contact with trees may induce a state of relaxation and improve mood, similar to the calming effects of grounding.
• Improves Immune Function: Some studies have shown that spending time in nature, including touching trees, can help strengthen the immune system by reducing inflammation and improving circulation.

How to Maximize the Grounding Effect with Trees:

• Hug the Tree: For a more direct connection, you can wrap your arms around the trunk of the tree. This allows more surface contact, which can enhance the grounding effect.
• Touch the Leaves: While the leaves might not be as conductive as the trunk, they still provide a natural way to connect with the tree's energy. Feel free to touch the leaves or branches while being mindful and relaxed.
• Sit or Stand by the Tree: Just being in close proximity to the tree, sitting on the ground near it, or standing with your hands on its trunk can enhance the grounding effect.

While touching the leaves of trees may not be as immediately conductive as walking barefoot on grass or sitting directly on the Earth, it can still offer grounding benefits by providing a pathway for Earth's free electrons to flow into your body through the tree’s connection to the Earth. The experience can help reduce stress, improve mood, and support overall health, making trees an excellent natural source of grounding when you're outdoors.

How Stepping into the Ocean or Lake Provides a Grounding Effect:

Connection to the Earth's Natural Electrical Field: Both ocean and lake water are excellent conductors of the Earth’s negative charge (free electrons) because water is a good conductor of electricity. The Earth's free electrons are naturally absorbed by the water, and when you step into the water, your body can directly absorb these electrons, helping to neutralize the positive charge (electromagnetic pollution) in your body.

Saltwater's Higher Conductivity: Ocean water, in particular, has higher conductivity than fresh water, mainly due to the presence of salt and other minerals. Salt acts as an excellent electrolyte, which enhances the transfer of free electrons from the Earth into your body. This makes stepping into the ocean potentially a very effective grounding experience. While freshwater lakes may have lower conductivity than ocean water, they still allow for the transfer of free electrons from the Earth to your body, though it may be less pronounced than in the ocean.

Electron Flow and Discharging Positive Charge: As with walking on grass or touching a tree, stepping into water allows the flow of free electrons from the Earth’s surface into your body. These electrons help to neutralize the excess positive charge that can build up from exposure to electronic devices, pollutants, or stress.

The direct contact between your skin and the water creates a conductive pathway for this electron flow, helping to discharge positive electricity from your body and restore balance.

1. Water as a Natural Conductor:

   • Whether it's saltwater from the ocean or freshwater from a lake, the water is naturally connected to the Earth’s electrical field. As you immerse your feet, legs, or entire body in the water, you can absorb free electrons, much like you would by walking barefoot on the Earth’s surface.

2. Enhanced Grounding in Motion:

   • Walking or wading into the water, especially in areas where the water is moving or has waves, can enhance the grounding effect because moving water helps maintain a continuous flow of free electrons into your body. The flow and motion of water create a dynamic interaction that can increase the grounding potential.

Benefits of Grounding in the Ocean or Lake:

Reduced Inflammation: Grounding in natural bodies of water has been shown to help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, just like other grounding practices.

Improved Sleep: People often report better sleep after spending time in natural water sources, as grounding helps regulate circadian rhythms and balance stress levels.

Stress Reduction: Grounding in water helps calm the nervous system by lowering cortisol levels, promoting relaxation, and enhancing mood.

Better Circulation and Healing: Just as with other grounding methods, stepping into water can help improve circulation by reducing inflammation and promoting a healthier vascular system.

How to Maximize the Grounding Effect:

Barefoot Contact: Ideally, you want to be barefoot in the water for the best grounding experience. This allows for the most direct and potent transfer of electrons into your body.

Submerging Yourself: If you can, immerse your body in the water to maximize your connection to the Earth’s electrical field. The more surface area in contact with the water, the greater the potential for electron transfer.

Spend Time in the Water: The longer you stay in the water, the more you may benefit from grounding, as your body has more time to absorb free electrons and discharge any built-up positive charge.

Stepping into the ocean or a lake can indeed provide a grounding effect, especially when you’re barefoot and in direct contact with the water. Saltwater from the ocean is particularly effective due to its high conductivity, but freshwater lakes also offer grounding benefits. Being in water helps discharge excess positive charge from your body and absorb the Earth's free electrons, resulting in improved health, reduced stress, and a greater sense of well-being.

Videos on Grounding

References

Oschman, J. L., 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. Journal of Inflammation Research, 8, 83–96. http://doi.org/10.2147/JIR.S69656

Chevalier, G. (2015). The effect of grounding the human body on mood. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 116(2), 534–542.

Koniver, L. (2023). Practical applications of grounding to support health. Biomedical Journal, 46(1), 41–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bj.2022.12.001

Sinatra, S. T., & Others. (2022). Grounding – The universal anti‑inflammatory remedy. Biomedical Journal, 46(1), 11–16. Available via PMC. turn1search6