FAQs

THE 3 MOST COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT EARTHING:

1.  How Do I Wash & Dry My Sheet?

Use a gentle wash cycle and a mild washing detergent such as “Earth Choice” – available from all leading supermarkets.  If using a natural or home made detergent please make sure there are no oils included in the ingredients such as Eucalyptus Oil or Essential Oils as well as no whitening or bleach agents.  Do not use any fabric softeners.

The sheet can be put on the line to dry in the sun.  If needed, tumble dry on “low” or “no heat” settings.

2. Can I Use The Sheet With a Magnet Underlay?

There is no problem using an Earthing Sheet over a magnetic mattress pad. The magnets in the magnetic mattress pad produce a static magnetic field that would naturally go through and extend beyond the surface of the Earthing sheet.

Although the use of magnets produce some therapeutic effects when properly applied, magnets cannot provide free electrons, nor can they connect the body with the naturally balancing electric frequencies of the Earth. Earthing technology used inside your home or office connects you with the Earth’s electrons in the same way as if you were standing barefoot on ground outside.

3.  Can I Get Electrocuted by an Earthing Product?
No. When you plug in the cord of an Earthing sheet or mat into an electrical outlet, the plug, cord, and product are designed to only conduct the ground energy, from the ground port in the outlet. It does not conduct the electrical power that operates your lights and appliances in the house.  There is only one metal pin on the plugs – the grounding pin.

EARTHING BASICS:

Q. In a high-tech age, why is the concept of Earthing so important?

A. What is most profound about Earthing is that it is so natural and simple, and that it affects every aspect of human physiology. When you ground yourself, the entire body readjusts to a new level of functioning, the level, in fact, it seems to have been designed for throughout evolution. Many people who have lived Earthed for some years say that they do not want to go back to living ungrounded. They feel the difference. Living Earthed broadly elevates your quality of life to a level that seems not otherwise possible.
James Oschman, Ph.D., an internationally-renowned expert on energy medicine, describes the phenomenon thusly: “Recently I attended a meeting on the East coast. One of my colleagues came in from the West coast. She had a bad case of jet lag. I told her to take her shoes and socks off and step outside on the grass for 15 minutes. When she came back in, she was completely transformed. Her jet lag was gone. That is how fast Earthing works. Anyone can try this. If you don’t feel well, for whatever reason, just make barefoot contact with the Earth for a few minutes and see what happens. Of course, if you have a medical problem, you should see a doctor. There is nothing that comes close to Earthing for quick relief. You can literally feel pain draining from your body the instant you touch the Earth.”

Q. Why does the Earth’s electric field transfer so easily to the body?

A. The body is mostly water and minerals. It is a good conductor of electricity (electrons). The free electrons on the surface of the Earth are easily transferred to the human body as long as there is direct contact. Unfortunately, synthetically-soled shoes act as insulators so that even when we are outside we do not connect with the Earth’s electric field. When we are in homes and office buildings, we are also insulated and unable to receive the Earth’s balancing energies.

Q. What is the difference between the Earth’s electric field and the electric field used to conduct electricity in my home?

A. The Earth’s electric field is mainly a continuous direct current (DC) producing field. Throughout history, life on the planet has attuned our biology to this subtle field. By comparison, home wiring systems in Australia use 50-cycle per second alternating current (AC). Unless at very low frequency (less that 10 cycles per second) and/or low power, alternating current is foreign to our biology. AC, and other forms of man-made environmental electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are being researched as possible factors in a variety of stress-related responses. Many people are sensitive to EMFs. Studies show an “association,” but not cause and effect, between living near power lines (or exposure to EMFs on the job) and higher rates of health problems.

Q. How much “current” is actually being transferred from the Earth’s surface via the wire to a grounding product?

A. There is no constant measurable current flow beyond the equalization charge that is instantly transferred to the body when a person lies on a conductive sheet or makes contact with another type of Earthing product. We are talking about numbers of electrons in the trillions and quadrillions. Once the body is grounded, the rate of influx changes, and the body will only absorb that amount of electrons needed to maintain the same electrical potential as the Earth and to restore what is lost in the body’s metabolic processes. It may take many quadrillions to get the body stable. As long as a person continues to be grounded, the body can use the Earth as a natural reservoir, or “power source,” of electrons to maintain a “topped up” homeostatic level that compensates for any attrition of internal electrons. With connection to the Earth, it would thus seem hard for the body to develop any electron deficiency, and, theoretically, any chronic inflammation. The actual amount of charge (electrons transferred) would vary significantly based upon location of the body above the Earth (voltage) and any potential electrostatic charge that has built up on the body. The continuing amount of electrons absorbed by the body to reduce metabolic and immune response free radicals would also vary significantly between people depending upon their life style and activity. This is all extremely difficult, if not impossible, to measure.

Q. Can Earthing protect me from cell phone frequencies?

A. The protective potential of Earthing has not been tested yet on cell phone exposure. There is no research indicating that Earthing will or will not protect a person from exposure to cell phones signals, microwave radiation, or radio frequencies. What we know is that Earthing reduces significantly the induced body voltages generated by simple exposure to common household 50 Hz EMFs continuously emitted by all plugged-in electrical cords (even if the appliance is off), internal wiring, and all ungrounded electrical devices in the home or office. Based in the cases, the Earthing Institute have seen of people extremely sensitive to such EMFs it is prudent to be grounded as much as possible in the home or office.

Q. Can I wear any type of footwear and still be earthed?

A. No. Standard plastic/rubber or composite soles do not conduct the Earth’s electric energy. Most shoes today are made from those materials. You need leather or hide soles, which used to be the primary footwear materials in the past. Leather itself isn’t conductive, but the foot perspires and the moisture permits conduction of the energy from the Earth through the leather and up into the body. In addition, moisture from walking on damp ground or sidewalks could permeate up into the leather soled shoe. Thickness of the sole can also be a factor, and specifically that a very thick leather sole may not allow the moisture through. Moccasins are the best type of natural conductive footwear. Leather isn’t quite as good as bare feet on the ground but certainly much, much better than standard soles that are insulating. There are some shoe companies now making grounded shoes – see our links.

Q. Can I ground myself outside by wearing electrostatic discharge (ESD) footwear?

A. ESD shoes are primarily designed for discharging static electricity but to a degree they ground the body beneficially. They are better than regular shoes but not as good as going barefoot. The difference between grounding and static discharge is that grounding instantly equalizes your body at Earth’s potential. Static discharge, generally called a soft ground or a dissipative ground, has an inline 1 meg ohm resistor in the ground cord which is design to slowly bleed off static electrical charges (contact and separation charges). These charges are created on the body by clothing and shoes whenever you move your clothing with arm movement or walk or sit on any synthetic material. The ESD industry uses dissipative grounding to prevent a rapid discharge of static electricity that might otherwise blow an electronic circuit or sensitive chip.

Q. Does Earthing occur if I work, stand, or walk barefooted on a ceramic tile floor?

A. It depends on whether the tile floor sits on a concrete slab or on the ground. If directly on a slab or ground, the energy could come through. If the tile sits on plywood or some other kind of wood, plastic, or vinyl understructure, you are not likely to get any conductivity. It also depends on what kind of tile. Ceramic tile with a glazed finish on the surface will, like glass, probably prevent conductivity.

Q. I live in a warm climate where we are reluctant to go out barefoot due to parasites in the soil like hookworm and roundworm. The soil never gets cold enough for the parasites to die off.

A. If being barefoot outside is risky, Earthing sheets and mats allow you to be grounded inside. The best opportunity to gain the many benefits of Earthing is to sleep grounded.

 

USING EARTHING INDOOR PRODUCTS:

Q.  How Do I connect my indoor products?

A.. We receive many questions about using Earthing products around the world. To assist you, we have compiled some basic facts you will need to determine the best connecting options for you. Earthing products are designed to be used with an Earthing ground rod placed in the soil outside next to a window or door, or via a grounded wall outlet inside the home or office. Individual conditions in your home, office, and area may dictate which of these options you use to connect to the Earth.
The first thing you need to know is that Earthing products do not operate on electricity, so it does not matter what the electrical current is in your country (whether 110 volts or 240 volts, etc). Earthing products simply allow the natural, gentle energy from the Earth outside to be carried inside. When you make physical — bare skin — contact with the Earthing product it is the same as if you were standing or walking barefoot outside. This is what creates the benefits of Earthing.
Our preference is that the products throughout the world be connected to Earthing ground rods, however many people like the idea of simply plugging them into an electrical outlet ground port in their home or office. For people who live in tall apartment buildings (high rises), a ground rod may not be feasible.
The following explanation covers two options for connecting Earthing products. The electrical terms “ground” and “Earth” have the same meaning

Option 1 – Australian Adapter Plug – with all our products.

If you want to plug into a wall outlet you will have to determine first whether your electrical system and outlets are indeed properly grounded. An electrician can determine that for you or you can purchase a simple outlet ground checker from our website.   By law all homes  in Australia must be earthed so this should not be a major problem with your outlets being correctly grounded or earthed.   Earthing products come with a 12 foot (about 4 ½ meters) long cord. One end snaps onto the product and the other (male) end inserts into the ground (Earth) port of our Australian adapter that is then plugged into a properly grounded electrical outlet in your house or office, etc.  The outlet is not turned on, however, it makes not difference if the outlet is put on as no electricity is conducted.

Do not buy a universal adapter. Some universal adapters look like they have the Earth/ground connection but when tested they do not work. Others have loose intermittent connections that will minimize the benefits you expect from Earthing.

Option 2 – The Ground Rod:

The ground rods are inserted into the ground (dirt, garden bed) outside/below a window or door adjacent to where the Earthing product will be used inside. It is very simple to do. You cannot put the ground rod into a pot plant.  If there is only concrete and no adjacent Earth in which to put the ground rod then this is not an option for you. The Earthing ground rod has a 40 foot (12 meter) cord attached to it. You can run the cord under a window or door, just being careful not to sever the cord. The cord from the Earthing sheet or mat is connected to the ground rod cord, male end into the female end. Again, very simple.
If additional length is needed, Earthing extension cords can also be purchased from our website.  All Earthing product connection cords contain a current limiting 100k resistor.

Q. I have noticed tingling in my feet for the first few nights I’ve been sleeping grounded. Should I be concerned?

A. Many people feel tingling in the beginning. It’s a sign that the circulation is improving

Q. Are there people who sleep grounded and don’t feel anything, or for whom grounding doesn’t work?

A. Everybody benefits in some way, but we are all different. The benefits can come quickly and dramatically, such as less pain and better sleep, or subtly and gradually over time. Often people who are very ill feel the difference most dramatically. Someone with radiant health and who sleeps well may not feel any difference, however, connecting to the Earth is helping to preserve and perpetuate good health. Earthing is regarded as a natural form of anti-aging medicine, whether you feel it or not.

Q. Why should I buy any grounding product, like a sheet or a mat, when I can simply go barefoot?

A. You are absolutely correct. Barefoot is the natural way to go. And also sleep on the ground. This is the way humans evolved. In so-called “developed societies,” we wear insulating shoes and we sleep on elevated beds. However, most people won’t regularly go barefoot, if at all, or consider sleeping on the ground, and certainly not in the cold winter months. So Earthing products were created to address the issue of comfort, convenience, reality, and practicality. The products are basically extension cords. They bring the Earth’s energy outside into the office and home inside — the equivalent of being barefoot outside while you are inside. They were developed to accommodate the research process and to satisfy a continually growing demand of people wanting to sleep, work, or relax grounded for all the reasons presented in the book.

Q. I enjoy the feel of plush cotton sheets. Can I put the Earthing sheet underneath my regular sheet?

A. Sorry, but if you do you will not receive the benefits of Earthing. You want some part of your body to be in direct contact with the grounded sheet: the skin of your body touching the conductive sheet. That’s how you absorb the energy from the Earth and how you get the benefits. If you have a grounded half-sheet, put it over your regular bottom sheet. If you have a full-fitted Earthing sheet, that serves as your bottom sheet.

Q. Can I wear pyjamas when I sleep on an Earthing sheet?

A. Yes, as long as some bare skin comes in direct contact with the sheet, such as your feet. If some part of your body does not directly contact the sheet, it will require some moisture for the direct current of the Earth to flow through the fabric into your body. For some people this occurs naturally during the night when moisture from the body creates the necessary conductivity. Best, however, is having bare skin contact. Some people have asked if there is any type of pyjama fabric that will not work with the sheet. The answer is that the fabric of the pyjamas is irrelevant. The only factor that’s important is direct skin contact with the Earthing sheet.

Q. I like to wear socks to bed. Do my bare feet have to touch the Earthing bed sheet?

A. It is best to have your bare feet in contact with the grounded sheet. The Earth’s energy is conducted most optimally via bare skin contact. However, if you must wear socks, try to have some skin — bare legs or another body part — touch the Earthing sheet. You can place the Earthing product in your bed wherever it is most comfortable and effective for you. If you wear socks to bed because of cold feet, you will often find that your feet warm up naturally from improved circulation when you sleep grounded.

Q. Can I wear socks when using an Earthing mat on the floor?

A. Yes, but direct skin contact is best. Feet naturally sweat and will hydrate socks, making the socks somewhat conductive.

Q. Is the Earthing sheet washable? What about care and cleaning?

A. Your sheet may be laundered just as you would wash other bedding, using a gentle wash cycle and a mild detergent. Low-heat drying is recommended. However, NO chlorine bleach or fabric softener should be used. When necessary, use hydrogen peroxide-based non-bleach to remove stains and/or to whiten your sheet.

Q. How long will an Earthing sheet last before it wears out?

A. Sheets made with cotton and conductive silver fibre have withstood rigorous testing conducted by an independent testing lab. After 100 wash/dry cycles, the conductive silver fibres show virtually no breakage or wear. When cared for properly, your sheet should last as long as any good quality bed sheet. It is also recommended that no body lotions or creams be applied before bedtime to any part of the body that will come in direct contact with the sheet. The reason for this is that the creams can easily become absorbed into the sheets. The oils they contain become oxidized by the air and can diminish the conductivity of the silver threads.

Q. How do you clean an Earthing mat?

A. Mats can be cleaned with ordinary dish soap and water

Q. Is it OK to use an Earthing sleeping product along with an electric blanket or on an electrically heated mattress pad or waterbed?

A. There is nothing wrong with using an Earthing sleep product with any electrical devices as long as those devices are in good working order.

Q. Can you use an Earthing sleep system over a mattress pad that has magnets embedded in it?

A. There is no problem with using an Earthing sheet over a magnetic mattress pad. The magnets in the magnetic mattress pad produce a static magnetic field that would naturally go through and extend beyond the surface of the Earthing sheet similar to the way it passes through a regular sheet.

Q. What is the difference between the Earthing technology and the use of magnets?

A. Although the use of magnets produce some therapeutic effects when properly applied, magnets cannot provide free electrons, nor can they connect the body with the naturally balancing electric frequencies of the Earth. Earthing technology used inside your home or office connects you with the Earth’s electrons in the same way as if you were standing barefoot on ground outside.

Q. Once the Earthing product is plugged into a grounded outlet should I always leave it plugged in?

A. Yes. To clean or wash the Earthing product, you simply unsnap the cord from the product. There is no need to remove the plug-in end of the cord from the outlet unless you want to use the product elsewhere

Q. Can I plug my mat and sheet into one splitter cord without splitting the potential of Earthing in half for each product?

A. The use of a splitter does not reduce the potential of Earthing at all for either product.

Q.  My Earthing cord is tangled with a bunch of computer, TV and other cords.  Is this a problem?

A.  There is no problem with the ground cord being near TV, telephone or computer cables or tangled.

Q. Can you connect an Earthing sheet to the electric outlet on a cruise ship?

A. You may want to check with the cruise company first. It is likely that a cruise ship would be well grounded and the use of in-cabin outlet grounds should work well.

Q. I live on a house boat. Can I use the outlets to ground myself?

A. As long as the boat is connected to a shore power, an electrical outlet ground would be fine. When a boat is not connected to shore power and running on a generator, the outlets may not be grounded and you would have to ask the manufacturer. If your boat is in ocean (salt) water, you can connect your Earthing device to a ground rod and dangle it over the side into the water. Sea water makes a good ground.

 

EARTHING & HEALTH:

Q. How does Earthing help me feel better and my body’s ability to heal?


A. Pain and diseases other disturbances in our bodies are often caused by chronic inflammation. Such inflammation is, in turn, caused by positively-charged molecules called free radicals. When you make direct contact with the Earth, either by being barefoot outside or via a conductive sheet or mat indoors, the negatively-charged electrons from the Earth are absorbed into your body and reduce the free radicals and inflammation. This is our theory and it is supported by our research and feedback from thousands of people who use Earthing products.
This benefit of Earthing is very important because medical research has found that many of the chronic and debilitating diseases of our time have the same cause: chronic inflammation. Scientists now realize that pain and disease arise in our bodies where an inflammatory response has taken place, but the inflammation has not completely stopped after the healing process. A low level of chronic inflammation can continue for years, damaging normal tissues and wasting energy.
The human immune system evolved over a long span of time during which we were in virtually constant barefoot contact with the Earth. In our modern society, humans no longer walk barefoot. We wear shoes that insulate us from the Earth’s energy. In recent decades the incidence of chronic diseases, allergies, auto-immune conditions, and insomnia has skyrocketed in modern societies. One overlooked reason for this situation is that the immune system began functioning less efficiently as humans increasingly separated themselves from the Earth’s energy.

Q. In your clinical studies, the physiological effects of Earthing have been almost immediate. Can you explain this?

A. The body is a good conductor of free electrons. It is a repeated observation that Earthing produces beneficial effects very rapidly. When people are grounded through the feet (either by standing barefoot on the Earth or via grounded EKG patches in experiments), they sometimes feel a tingling sensation moving up the legs. We associate this with the apparent movement of electrons up into the body. In our research, we have “clocked” the speed of this activity. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes to reach sites of pain and inflammation and then begin neutralizing the inflammation. When a study participant says that pain has started to ease we regard this as a sign that the electrons have arrived at the pain site and have started to “go to work.”
Electrons may even be attracted to those sites because electrons have a negative charge and free radicals, involved in the inflammatory process, have a positive charge. Once the free radicals are neutralized, we hypothesize that the destructive action on healthy tissues is abated, leading to a reduction of pain, sometimes quite fast and dramatic.
As soon as a person comes in direct contact with the Earth the electrons inside the body “feel” the effect of the ground potential of the Earth’s electric field. We discuss this—the so-called “straw-bead” effect—in Appendix B of our “Earthing” book. The body settles and equalizes electrically to the ground potential almost instantaneously. The information that a new potential has been established in the body is transmitted, also almost instantaneously, to the autonomic nervous system, which then responds by “adjusting” electrical activities throughout the body. Muscle tension and skin conductance, and maybe also brain waves, are adjusted in a few seconds at the most.

Q. Can Earthing add years to my life?

A. We don’t know the answer to that question, however Earthing does look promising as a powerful anti-aging strategy. Many researchers have documented the deterioration of the immune system as we age. The name for this is immunosenescence. A prominent medical theory states that one of the causes of general deterioration during aging is free radical damage, technically known as oxidative stress, and resulting in injury to cells. Since Earthing greatly reduces oxidative stress and inflammation it is expected to increase life expectancy and improve health. There is no question that maintaining a functionally “young” immune system is an excellent strategy for preserving the quality of life and slowing senescence.

Q. How much time do I need to be grounded in order to feel results?

A. When you come in direct contact with the Earth there is an immediate and natural shift in your body. We have measured these changes in the laboratory and they clearly indicate that the body is functioning better. People with pain often feel relief in varying degrees — from a little to a lot, and to even disappearance of the pain — just by planting their bare feet on the ground outside for a half hour or forty minutes twice a day. Sleeping grounded through the night produces many beneficial results, such as better and deeper sleep, more energy during the day, and less pain. Again, the degree of benefits run from slight to dramatic, from immediate to gradual. Some chronically ill people benefit from additional grounding hours during the day, such as by being barefoot or using an Earthing mat or body band. From the thousands of cases that Clint Ober and others have observed over the past decade, the more severe the health problem the more dramatic the improvement seen with grounding in general. Even in end-of-life situations associated with pain, it has been reported that individuals generally have less pain.

Q. How long will it take to relieve my symptoms?

A. Everybody is different and symptoms are different and with different causes. Earthing does not cure anything. Contact with the Earth helps restores the body’s natural electrical balance and reduce stress and inflammation. By doing these things, Earthing can have both short-term and long-term effects, and sometimes quite dramatic and quick. We have had many reports of improved sleep and decreased stress after only one or two nights of sleeping grounded. If the cause of sleep difficulties is long-term insomnia with underlying health issues, improvement often takes more time.
Medical thermal imaging has shown decreased inflammation in minutes after people are grounded. In a study conducted by the California Institute for Human Science, instantaneous changes in brain waves and muscle tension were documented when the Earth connection was introduced.
Clearly, lasting changes in stress, sleep, pain and body rhythms occur when we are connected to the Earth for longer segments of time on a repeated basis. Nighttime sleep, when the body is most receptive to healing, is the most beneficial time. In a general sense, just as you can’t direct healthy food, air, or water to create specific desired results in one function or part of your body, the body takes in the natural energy of the Earth and uses it as needed. You may experience benefits for certain issues you were not even expecting improvements in and there may be no change in other areas. Generally, the longer you continue to use Earthing, the more benefits and vitality you can expect to see.

Q. I feel better when I sleep grounded. What happens if I stop sleeping grounded?

A. Over the years, we have heard from many people who experienced relief and improvements and then stopped Earthing. Their gains began eroding. We advise people to make Earthing part of a healthy lifestyle routine and keep grounding themselves. Don’t stop. We all evolved connected to the Earth. Staying connected may be the difference between feeling good and feeling bad. Earthing is not just for regaining well-being, but also for maintaining it.

Q. I’ve got pain. How can Earthing help me?

A. Go outside and stand, sit, or walk on the ground barefoot for at least a half hour or so. In that time you may notice that your pain is less. We believe this effect comes from the electrons that flow into your body from the Earth. Inside the body they act to reduce inflammation. There are also “barefoot substitutes,” Earthing products you can sleep on, work on, and sit on inside your home or place of work. Think of them as extension cords connecting you in your house or office to the Earth outside.

Q. Do Earthing products need to be applied directly where I have pain in my body?

A. Our bodies conduct the Earth’s energy. If any part of your body is in contact with the earth, or an Earthing product, all of your body becomes equalized with the energy of the Earth. We have observed, however, that applying the Earthing product near the location of an injury or pain may accelerate the decrease in local inflammation and pain.

Q. I have two stents. Could sleeping grounded do any damage to the stents?

A. Not any more than sleeping or walking barefoot on the Earth would cause damage.

Q. Can Earthing products be used by somebody who has a pacemaker?

A. There is no evidence that Earthing interferes with the function of a pacemaker. Earthing is the same as walking barefoot on the Earth. Many people with pacemakers sleep grounded and experience the benefits of their medical device and Earthing. To our knowledge, no one with a pacemaker was advised not to walk barefoot outdoors. Just check with your doctor initially and monitor yourself for any symptoms.

Q. Can you use the Earthing products if you have knee and hip replacements?

A. No problem.

Q. Can I get too much of the Earth’s energy by sleeping grounded every night?

A. Throughout most of history we walked barefoot and slept on the ground. We were directly connected to the Earth almost 24/7. That’s what our bodies are used to. Our body knows exactly what to do with what the Earth provides for us. When we connect to the Earth the amount of the electrons we absorb is governed by the amount our body needs to balance the electrical charge of our body. It is always the perfect amount.

Q. I am not feeling any difference from Earthing. Could it be because I am very healthy already?

A. Most dramatic results are felt by those who are sick and depleted. For healthy folks, we regard Earthing as a significant anti-aging strategy. But our investigations support the idea of staying grounded not just to feel better, but for prevention and optimum health.

Q. I have battled with insomnia for a long time. I got the Earthing sheet, and during the first week, I slept so much better, but then started tossing and turning again.

A. Sleep is so subjective, and the quality is often related to life’s stresses. No matter how grounded somebody is, stressful situations can readily impact sleep. Drinking a lot of caffeine or alcohol in the evening could also interfere with sleep.

Q. Can grounding help stroke patients?

A. No studies have been done to determine this possibility. In a general sense, if you can increase circulation and oxygen delivery in the body, you can get an improvement. Earthing research has demonstrated improved circulation and oxygen uptake.

Q. Can grounding help blood pressure?

A. Again, no specific studies on this have been done. Anecdotally, we have heard from many people whose blood pressure numbers have improved, and who have better control of their blood pressure, after starting Earthing. Some have been able to lower the dosage of their medication. If you take medication and experience better control, you should inform your physician and ask about the possibility of lowering your dosage

 

VEHICLE PADS:

Q. I have read the Earthing book but still don’t understand how the grounding mats can work in a car since the car has rubber tyres and is not grounded.  Can I really ground myself while driving the car?

A. In a nutshell, you have a relative grounding plane provided by the metal frame of the car.  Any car. When you clip the cord of the auto mat to the metal frame (such as part of the metal under structure of the seat), you capture enough of a grounding effect to help eliminate some fatigue along with tension that drivers develop in the shoulders and neck from the buildup of static electricity on the body. The fatigue and tension is usually most noticeable when driving long distances, and is, for instance, a frequent complaint of long-haul truckers.

Q. It is hard to find a place to clip the auto mat onto? Any suggestions?

A. Some people have found very little bare metal under the car seat. The metal seems to be all painted. If you can’t find a bare spot, just take a file and file away some of the paint on any metallic surface where you can fasten the clip end of the Earthing mat cord.

Q. How Can I Test the Auto Pad is Conductive?

A.  Once you have the auto pad connected, use the Product Tester to test it is conductive by placing the tester on the seat pad and hold the metal earth pin attached to the end of the cord firmly against a piece of metal in the car – an easy place is usually where the door closes.  The green light will be displayed if it is connected correctly.

Q. Do you have to put a grounding strap on a vehicle in addition to using the grounding mat? I just read an article stating that “there is no point in grounding the body to the metal cage of the vehicle if the vehicle itself is not grounded to earth. The radiation will only be radiated back into the body. Therefore it is important that the vehicle itself is grounded too!”

A. The use of a grounded seat pad has nothing to do with radiation. Any electrical radiation would exist on the body whether it was touching the vehicle or not. The body itself is a conductor and no different than the auto in attracting radiation. Electrically, both are like antennas. The auto seat ground pad has to do with reducing static charges continuously being created on the body while driving. To determine just how much static charge is reduced when the body is connected to the frame of the vehicle via the ground pad, simply add the mass of the metal vehicle and the mass of the body together. Then divide by body weight. As an example, if the body is 200 lbs and the auto metal 4,000 lbs, you have a total of 4,200 lbs. The body equals 2.1% of the total conductive mass.  Subtract that from the 100 percent total and you get a reduction of 97.9 percent.  According to truckers and other drivers mentioned in the Earthing book, they feel better when driving grounded.

EARTHING AND ELECTRICAL/CONNECTION/CONDUCTIVITY ISSUES:

Q. How much “current” is actually being transferred from the Earth’s surface via the wire to a grounding product?

A. There is no constant measurable current flow beyond the equalization charge that is instantly transferred to the body when a person lies on a conductive sheet or makes contact with another type of Earthing  product. We are talking about numbers of electrons in the trillions and quadrillions. Once the body is grounded, the rate of influx changes, and the body will only absorb that amount of electrons needed to maintain the same electrical potential as the Earth and to restore what is lost in the body’s metabolic processes. It may take many quadrillions to get the body stable. As long as a person continues to be grounded, the body can use the Earth as a natural reservoir, or “power source,” of electrons to maintain a “topped up” homeostatic level that compensates for any attrition of internal electrons. With connection to the Earth, it would thus seem hard for the body to develop any electron deficiency, and, theoretically, any chronic inflammation. The actual amount of charge (electrons transferred) would vary significantly based upon location of the body above the Earth (voltage) and any potential electrostatic charge that has built up on the body. The continuing amount of electrons absorbed by the body to reduce metabolic and immune response free radicals would also vary significantly between people depending upon their life style and activity. This is all extremely difficult, if not impossible, to measure.

Q. Could there be anything detrimental from the level of ground currents in an urban setting because of high use of electrical grids? Do we have to worry about the electrical fields around us and the impact of our environment on our physical body?

A. For a detailed answer to the question, read the Earthing Institute statement on Understanding Earthing (grounding) In brief, there is a big misconception regarding ground currents. Some people believe that the electricity that goes from the power plant to your house, lights your light bulb and appliances, and then goes out the other side of the wiring (neutral) into the Earth and returns back to the power company. That’s not true. The alternating current electricity that powers your home and office actually doesn’t go anywhere, and certainly not into the ground.
Ground currents are generated primarily by geophysical events, like lightning and when the sun shines on the Earth. These events naturally electrify the Earth with a subtle ground current called DC, for direct current.
Please keep in mind that the Earth is infinitely large. When you make direct physical contact with the Earth, such as by being barefoot outside or sleeping on a conductive sheet inside that is connected to the ground, you and your body become one—electrically speaking. You are conductive and you become an extension of the Earth.
The Earth is ground. Ground provides electrical stability worldwide for our grid systems and everything electrical in our homes, businesses, and industry.
We live in an infinite sea of electromagnetic frequencies ranging from airplane communications to garage door openers to cell phones and radio stations. They are all around us. When you are insulated from the Earth, that is, ungrounded, all these frequencies can perturb the electrons of your body and interfere with normal electron transfer activity going on in the body. When you are connected to the Earth, you are at one with the Earth and have an infinite supply of electrons. The man-made environmental frequencies can’t perturb the Earth…or, by extension, you. So you reduce the perturbation of your own cells by connecting your body to the Earth.
If you are not grounded, it is a good idea to reduce your exposure to these kinds of frequencies. Clear out unnecessary electrical devices and cords around you, especially in the bedroom. Some people go to the extreme and turn off the power in their homes. That’s well and good, but not practical. The key is to identify and reduce the exposure. If you aren’t grounded, at least de-electrify your bedroom.

Q. Before I buy any Earthing products, should I have an electrician come to my house first and see if it is grounded properly?

A. In Australia a mains earth connection is required by law and is almost universally present.  If you are concerned that the wiring in your property may be incorrect you can check this with a socket tester (available through this site or good electrical suppliers)  to verify a correct earth connection and a properly wired socket.  Otherwise have your electrician verify that your house wiring is correct.

Q. Do Earthing products run on electricity?

A. No. They simply pick up the Earth’s energy through the ground port of a properly grounded outlet or from a ground rod placed directly in the Earth. The energy passes through a cord to the conductive Earthing mat, sheet, or band specially designed for human grounding. When your body comes in contact with the Earthing product you absorb the Earth’s energy. Earthing products are like “barefoot substitutes,” enabling you to receive the outside energy of the Earth inside your home or office

Q. Can I become electrocuted by an Earthing product?

A. No. When you plug in the cord of an Earthing sheet or mat into an electrical outlet, the plug, cord, and product are designed to only conduct the ground energy, from the ground port in the outlet. It does not conduct the electrical power that operates your lights and appliances in the house.

Q. My husband told me that if there is a short anywhere in our home electrical system, all the electricity would flow through the ground wire into the ground and that since we were using a grounded sheet connected to that wire we would be electrocuted.

A. Not at all. If there is a short to the ground it would immediately trip all of the breakers on that circuit. Furthermore, the ground cords on authorized Earthing products have a built-in safety feature (a 100k ohm resistor) that prevents current from flowing through.

Q. Do I have to be concerned about being hit by lightning during a thunderstorm if I am grounded in my home?

A. Lightning is a massive natural phenomenon that is unpredictable and challenging to totally protect against. It is poorly understood. Homes are rarely hit by lightning. When this happens, the lightning usually takes the path of least resistance to the ground, such as large conductive systems like the plumbing pipes, electrical wiring network, or telephone and cable TV lines, all of which are directly grounded to the Earth.
The National Safety Council reports that the odds of dying from a lightning strike in one year are 1 in 6 million (www.nsc.org/research/odds.aspx). To put this in perspective, the chance of being hit and killed by an automobile as a pedestrian in the same period is 1 in fifty thousand—a risk 120 times greater. What these statistics suggest is that being hit by lightning is rather unlikely. However, follow standard lightning safety guidelines as directed by National Weather Service (www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov) if you live in a lightning-prone area. Disconnect your Earthing device and don’t use it during lightning and thunderstorms.

Q. If I place a ground rod in the earth outdoors is it OK if it gets rained on?

A. Totally OK. The presence of moisture increases the flow of electrons from the Earth. That’s why it’s great to stand or walk barefoot in damp grass or in the surf or wet sand at the beach. If you live in a very dry climate and are using a ground rod, try to place it in a spot where there is some moisture, perhaps from sprinklers. You can even water the ground rod every week or so, if you like to keep the soil moist.

Q. Who can I have drill holes in the wall for me so I can use a ground rod?

A. A handyman or an electrician can easily drill a hole through the wall, and seal it properly, near where you want to use your Earthing product. You then insert the ground rod in the Earth as near as possible to the hole, making sure the ground rod wire is not located where someone can trip over it. Then run the wire through the hole in the wall. Snap the other end onto the Earthing product.  If you don’t want to go to the expense of having someone drill a hole for you, simply run the wire from the ground rod outside under an adjacent window or door yourself.

Q. Can I plug my Earthing product into a surge protector or extension cord?

A. Yes, as long as the surge protector or extension cord have an existing ground port (for the third prong) which will connect with the grounding system in the home or office.

Q. In the book “Earthing” it mentioned that results were not as good with products which incorporated a 1 megohm resistor in the line.

A. Your comment refers to grounding systems used in the electronics industry and other industries to reduce or eliminate the risk of electrostatic discharge (ESD) in order to protect sensitive electronic components. Our testing of those systems failed to totally reproduce the same effects as a direct Earthing ground system. All ESD ground cords contain 1 megohm resistor. A 1 megohm resistor allows 50hz EMF induced body voltage to drop by 90 percent. Earthing products have a built-in 100K ohm resistor in all ground cords for safety and allows 50hz EMF induced body voltage to drop by 99 percent. The objective of Earthing the body is to replicate standing barefoot on the Earth and equalizing the potential of the body with the potential of the Earth. This occurs both with either a 1 megohm or a 100K ohm resistor, the difference being a fraction of a second slower with the bigger resistor. Bringing and holding the body at Earth’s potential restores the body’s natural electrical state. This is the key factorregarding inflammation reduction. Reducing EMF induced body voltages is more beneficial to the autonomic nervous system and to sleep.

Q. Is there a safety risk of being in contact with an Earthing system specifically while using electrical or electronic devices?

A. Earthing products are designed with built-in user safety. First, an electrical outlet tester is supplied with each product to verify that an outlet is properly wired and that the outlet has a working ground. The product ground cords are designed to provide a safe soft ground utilizing a built-in (molded in) in-line current limiting 100kohm resistor. In the event that a short develops in an electrical device that a person is in contact with while grounded the built-in resistor limits the current flow to a safe level. The accepted safe current limit of 5-8mA is defined as “sensation of shock not painful; individuals can let go at will.” The human body threshold of sensation is 1mA. The electrical calculation is current=volts/resistance (I=V/R). R = Rresistor + Rbody. Typical body resistance is 10k when wet and much higher when dry. However, to be conservative, using Rbody=0, Rres=100kohm, V=130volts; then maximum current I=130volts/100,000ohm=1.3mA; well below the accepted safety limit of 5-8mA and most likely barely perceptible.

Q. I just began using an Earthing floor mat at my desk. I noticed that when I work with my laptop computer and have my bare feet grounded on the mat I feel a kind of static electricity friction as I move my hands over the computer. If there is any moisture on my hands they sting like a pinprick when they touch the laptop. These things don’t happen when I take my feet off of the pad! The laptop is connected into the same wall outlet I use to ground the mat. The electric feeling as I work with the laptop is not comfortable.

A. Ungrounded laptops (without a three prong power cord) can generate significant electric fields. Some people will feel sensations while they are grounded and working on the computer. If the feeling is uncomfortable, we recommend several options:
1. Don’t ground yourself while using the computer plugged in.
2. Ground yourself only when the computer is operating on battery mode.
3. Place the laptop directly on the Earthing mat to ground the computer.

 

MEDICAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Earthing (grounding) refers to the process of establishing conductive contact between the surface of the earth and the the body to maintain the body at earth potential. This occurs naturally when standing barefoot on the earth. Research has demonstrated that earthing the body plays a substantial role in the reduction of inflammation and functioning of other physiological processes. On this basis, it is strongly recommended that individuals taking medication to thin the blood, regulate blood sugar, control blood pressure, or to regulate hormone thyroid levels, consult their Doctor for advice and a medication monitoring routine before they begin sleeping earthed. Research studies providing evidence of earthing effects include:

Earthing and Multiple Medications http://www.earthinginstitute.net/index.php/site/blog/earthing_and_multiple_medications/

Earthing the Human Body Influences Physiologic Processes: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21469913

Pilot Study on the Effect of Grounding on Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20192911

Other research studies are posted at: www.earthinginstitute.net/index.php/research

 

Referenced from The Earthing Institute at http://www.earthinginstitute.net/index.php/faq