Environmental medicine usually deals with environmental factors that negatively impact health, such as air pollution, toxic chemicals, and the like. However, the focus has recently shifted toward natural, clinically proven ways to improve health without resorting to traditional medication. One of those methods is grounding.
Also known as earthing, grounding involves allowing a patient to come in direct, physical contact with the ground, where contact with the Earth’s supply of electrons has been found to lead to patient reports of improved well-being, pain relief, and even better sleep. Research is still ongoing, but the data is pointing toward grounding having a positive impact on the overall health of patients.
The thinking behind this concept is that a major source of the illness and physiological and psychological problems that modern people face could be linked to the fact that we have far less physical contact with the Earth than our ancestors did. By re-establishing that physical connection with the ground, it is thought that people are doing what the human body naturally evolved to do–boost its biological systems via the Earth that sustains it.
Numerous studies on grounding have been done since the 1920s, and the vast majority point to grounding leading to reports of decreased pain, anxiety, and depression. Even more interesting is that patients suffering from insomnia reported having significantly better sleep when sleeping on mattresses that were conductive in regards to the Earth.
While more research still needs to be done, and while this treatment shouldn’t be used in place of a treatment plan already given by your doctor, the evidence definitely points to a number of benefits to grounding. Used in conjunction with a treatment plan or even just to generally improve mood and reduce stress, there are plenty of benefits and little to no side effects for grounding.
