Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTechniquesBenefitsTime To See Benefits
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Techniques
Benefits
Time To See Benefits
Grounding, also called earthing, is a technique some people believe connects their physical bodies to the Earth’s electrical energy.Some scientists theorize that free electrons transfer from the Earth to the human body during grounding.
Some believe this electrical conduction to have physical effects like pain reduction, improved immune response, and lowered inflammation.However, there is little research to support these claims, and what exists is mostly low-quality.
Carolin Voelker / Getty Images.
Grounding Techniques
There are multiple ways to perform grounding—making direct skin contact with the surface of the earth (grass, sand, soil, or water). Grounding methods include:
However, in modern Western society, people often don’t want or have opportunities to ground, other than at the beach. As a solution, grounding products have been developed to provide the same electrical conduction as outdoor grounding. These include specialized:
Grounding IndoorsYou can practice grounding indoors with specialized tools. Unlike walking barefoot, most (but not all) have associated costs. However, these options can make a routine grounding practice more accessible and convenient; they can be worn inside shoes, on the ankles or wrists during the day, or slept on at night.
Grounding Indoors
You can practice grounding indoors with specialized tools. Unlike walking barefoot, most (but not all) have associated costs. However, these options can make a routine grounding practice more accessible and convenient; they can be worn inside shoes, on the ankles or wrists during the day, or slept on at night.
Traditional Chinese medicine, Aboriginal cultures, and Indigenous communities have utilized the health benefits of grounding for thousands of years.
During the 1800s, well-known German scientists began proposing walking barefoot for health benefits.Today, examples of grounding can be found across TikTok, YouTube, and other popular forms of social media.
Beyond legend and anecdotal evidence, a growing body of research supports and explores the physiological effects and possible health benefits of grounding.
Some health benefits that have been studied include:
Most of the emerging research around grounding is of low quality. Small numbers of participants have been enrolled, participants may have experienced positive placebo effects (due to a person’s expectations) or bias, or a control group of non-grounding subjects was not included in the study for comparison. However, this doesn’t mean study results should necessarily be ignored or that grounding has no merit.
The Spiritual Aspect of GroundingMany people note the spiritual aspects of grounding, including feelings of peace, introspection, and contentment after a grounding session. Grounding is often seen as a way to connect to Mother Earth or a greater force and as a method of establishing a more coexistent life with our planet.
The Spiritual Aspect of Grounding
Many people note the spiritual aspects of grounding, including feelings of peace, introspection, and contentment after a grounding session. Grounding is often seen as a way to connect to Mother Earth or a greater force and as a method of establishing a more coexistent life with our planet.
Spending More Time in Nature Can Help You Feel Better About Your Body
How Long Does Grounding Take to Work?
There is not enough research on grounding to offer a clinical guideline on how long (either per session or over the long term) grounding needs to be practiced to achieve health benefits.
During the 1800s, Sebastian Kneipp—a German priest and originator of the naturopathic movement (using natural remedies to self-heal)—advised adherents to walk barefoot in nature three times each day.
Some research shows significant effects from grounding on pain andinflammationafter just 30 minutes.
The consensus is that you may feel some health benefits (such as improved mood and energy) within one session of grounding, but consistent practice for as many days as possible throughout a lifetime is ideal.
For many people, grounding is a long-term practice that becomes a part of their lifestyle rather than a short-term solution.
Summary
Grounding is an ancient practice in which the body is directly connected to the earth’s surface and experiences electrical conduction due to the Earth’s natural electric charge. Some people believe that putting the body in this state leads to physical effects and possible health benefits such as improved sleep, altered immune function, reduced inflammation, improved mood, less pain and soreness, and more.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Oschman JL, Chevalier G, Brown R.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. 2015;8:83-96. doi:10.2147%2FJIR.S69656Menigoz W, Latz T, Ely R, Kamei C, Melvin G, Sinatra D.Integrative and lifestyle medicine strategies should include Earthing (Grounding): Review of research evidence and clinical observations.EXPLORE. 2020;16(3):152-160. doi:10.1016/j.explore.2019.10.005Jamieson, I.Grounding (Earthing) as related to electromagnetic hygiene: An integrative review.Biomedical Journal. 2023;46(1):30-40. doi:10.1016/j.bj.2022.11.005Koniver, L.Practical applications of grounding to support health.Biomedical Journal. 2023;46(1):41-47. doi: 10.1016/j.bj.2022.12.001Chevalier G, Patel S, Weiss L, Chopra D, Mills PJ.The effects of grounding (Earthing) on bodyworkers’ pain and overall quality of life: a randomized controlled trial.Explore (NY). 2019;15(3):181-190. doi:10.1016/j.explore.2018.10.001Chevalier G.The effect of grounding the human body on mood.Psychol Rep. 2015;116(2):534-542. doi:10.2466/06.PR0.116k21w5Oschman JL, Chevalier G, Brown R.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. 2015;8:83-96. doi:10.2147%2FJIR.S69656
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Oschman JL, Chevalier G, Brown R.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. 2015;8:83-96. doi:10.2147%2FJIR.S69656Menigoz W, Latz T, Ely R, Kamei C, Melvin G, Sinatra D.Integrative and lifestyle medicine strategies should include Earthing (Grounding): Review of research evidence and clinical observations.EXPLORE. 2020;16(3):152-160. doi:10.1016/j.explore.2019.10.005Jamieson, I.Grounding (Earthing) as related to electromagnetic hygiene: An integrative review.Biomedical Journal. 2023;46(1):30-40. doi:10.1016/j.bj.2022.11.005Koniver, L.Practical applications of grounding to support health.Biomedical Journal. 2023;46(1):41-47. doi: 10.1016/j.bj.2022.12.001Chevalier G, Patel S, Weiss L, Chopra D, Mills PJ.The effects of grounding (Earthing) on bodyworkers’ pain and overall quality of life: a randomized controlled trial.Explore (NY). 2019;15(3):181-190. doi:10.1016/j.explore.2018.10.001Chevalier G.The effect of grounding the human body on mood.Psychol Rep. 2015;116(2):534-542. doi:10.2466/06.PR0.116k21w5Oschman JL, Chevalier G, Brown R.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. 2015;8:83-96. doi:10.2147%2FJIR.S69656
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Oschman JL, Chevalier G, Brown R.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. 2015;8:83-96. doi:10.2147%2FJIR.S69656Menigoz W, Latz T, Ely R, Kamei C, Melvin G, Sinatra D.Integrative and lifestyle medicine strategies should include Earthing (Grounding): Review of research evidence and clinical observations.EXPLORE. 2020;16(3):152-160. doi:10.1016/j.explore.2019.10.005Jamieson, I.Grounding (Earthing) as related to electromagnetic hygiene: An integrative review.Biomedical Journal. 2023;46(1):30-40. doi:10.1016/j.bj.2022.11.005Koniver, L.Practical applications of grounding to support health.Biomedical Journal. 2023;46(1):41-47. doi: 10.1016/j.bj.2022.12.001Chevalier G, Patel S, Weiss L, Chopra D, Mills PJ.The effects of grounding (Earthing) on bodyworkers’ pain and overall quality of life: a randomized controlled trial.Explore (NY). 2019;15(3):181-190. doi:10.1016/j.explore.2018.10.001Chevalier G.The effect of grounding the human body on mood.Psychol Rep. 2015;116(2):534-542. doi:10.2466/06.PR0.116k21w5Oschman JL, Chevalier G, Brown R.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. 2015;8:83-96. doi:10.2147%2FJIR.S69656
Oschman JL, Chevalier G, Brown R.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. 2015;8:83-96. doi:10.2147%2FJIR.S69656
Menigoz W, Latz T, Ely R, Kamei C, Melvin G, Sinatra D.Integrative and lifestyle medicine strategies should include Earthing (Grounding): Review of research evidence and clinical observations.EXPLORE. 2020;16(3):152-160. doi:10.1016/j.explore.2019.10.005
Jamieson, I.Grounding (Earthing) as related to electromagnetic hygiene: An integrative review.Biomedical Journal. 2023;46(1):30-40. doi:10.1016/j.bj.2022.11.005
Koniver, L.Practical applications of grounding to support health.Biomedical Journal. 2023;46(1):41-47. doi: 10.1016/j.bj.2022.12.001
Chevalier G, Patel S, Weiss L, Chopra D, Mills PJ.The effects of grounding (Earthing) on bodyworkers’ pain and overall quality of life: a randomized controlled trial.Explore (NY). 2019;15(3):181-190. doi:10.1016/j.explore.2018.10.001
Chevalier G.The effect of grounding the human body on mood.Psychol Rep. 2015;116(2):534-542. doi:10.2466/06.PR0.116k21w5
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