Grounding is trending…but is there anything to back it up? 

I remember having a friend share a video a few years ago all about grounding or ‘earthing’ and I thought ‘That seems like some quackery’. But when you think about it, as we become increasingly disconnected from nature and do our best to distance ourselves, our skin, and our lives from coming in contact with nature - we aren’t doing better.

I can only say that when I’m at the beach barefoot - I feel better. Is it the sun, the fresh air, the water, or just being in contact with all of it? Grounding isn’t just being barefoot - it can be grounding mats, sheets, and more.

The hype around grounding is basically around the principle of discharging positive ions from your body. But let’s be honest - finding moments of natural connection can be challenging. Yet, the practice of grounding—simply making barefoot contact with the earth—may offer substantial health benefits, from reducing inflammation to improving sleep. Below, we go down the rabbit hole on the importance of grounding, backed by scientific research.

• Reduces Inflammation and Pain: Research indicates that grounding can decrease the white blood cell count and inflammatory response, helping to reduce chronic pain. A 2020 study found that patients with chronic inflammatory and autoimmune conditions experienced significant relief after practicing grounding[1].

• Improves Sleep and Reduces Stress: Grounding has been shown to normalize the day-night cortisol rhythm, which improves sleep, reduces stress, and alleviates pain. A 2017 study demonstrated that grounding during sleep reduces night-time levels of cortisol and resynchronizes hormone stress responses[2].

• Enhances Heart Health: By grounding, you may decrease blood viscosity—a significant factor in cardiovascular disease. A 2013 study observed reduced blood viscosity and clumping after 40 minutes of grounding, suggesting a natural way to improve heart health[3].

• Boosts Immunity: Connecting to the earth’s electrical energy might enhance the immune response. A 2015 study noted improvements in immune cell activity and energy levels in participants who practiced grounding[4].

• Accelerates Recovery: Grounding may speed up recovery after exercise by reducing muscle damage and inflammation, as shown in a 2020 study involving athletes[5].

Could it be that the substance from which humans came from is a source of healing?

Why the recent hype?

Anything that connects or reconnects us with nature gets my attention - especially if it doesn’t require a prescription and anyone can practice it in their backyard.

The big idea ( study ) is that grounding affects the living matrix, which is the central connector between living cells. The explanation for the anti-inflammatory effects is that grounding the body allows negatively charged antioxidant electrons from the Earth to enter the body and neutralize positively charged free radicals at sites of inflammation.

A Few Objections

Objection 1: “I don’t have time for grounding.”

• Solution: Grounding can be as simple as walking barefoot on grass for just 30 minutes during your lunch break or in your garden in the morning.

Objection 2: “I live in an urban area without easy access to natural surfaces.”

• Solution: Consider using grounding mats or sheets that mimic the earth’s electric potential and can be used indoors at your home or office. Or find a way to find some grass or earth - your body will thank you.

Objection 3: “Isn’t walking barefoot unsanitary or risky?”

• Solution: Choose clean, safe environments such as private gardens, parks, or beaches for grounding. For indoor grounding, grounding equipment like mats can ensure cleanliness and safety.

Takeaways: Integrating Grounding Into Your Life

To incorporate grounding into your daily life, ideally start by identifying a nearby natural space where you can walk barefoot. If outdoor options are limited, explore grounding technologies. Schedule short grounding sessions into your routine—perhaps in the morning to energize you for the day or in the evening to help wind down before bedtime.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. 👋

I’m always looking for feedback. What would you like for me to cover? Is there anything in the newsletter you like or want to see more or less of?

Here are a few topics I think you’ll love if you haven’t checked them out before:

How to Breathe for Better Health

How Self-Doubt Can Become Your Superpower 

How to Supercharge Your Sleep

The Power of the Sauna

Forgiveness May Be Your Missing Ingredient

-Jared

P.S. - This newsletter does not provide medical advice. The content, such as graphics, images, text, and all other materials, is provided for reference and educational purposes only. The content is not meant to be complete or exhaustive or to be applicable to any specific individual's medical condition.

[1] Chevalier, G., et al. (2020). “The Effect of Grounding on the Blood Markers of Health: A Pilot Study on Inflammation and Immune Response.” Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.

[2] Ghaly, M., & Teplitz, D. (2017). “The Biological Effects of Grounding the Human Body During Sleep as Measured by Cortisol Levels and Subjective Reporting of Sleep, Pain, and Stress.” Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.

[3] Chevalier, G. (2013). “Changes in Blood Viscosity Parameters Associated with Unipolar Inductive Coupling of Electrically Conductive Foot Pads to the Earth.” American Journal of Physiology.

[4] Brown, D., Chevalier, G., & Hill, M. (2015). “Pilot Study on the Effect of Grounding on Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness.” The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.

[5] Wilson, V., et al. (2020). “Grounding after Moderate Eccentric Contractions Reduces Muscle Damage.” Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine.