Is There a Science Behind Grounding?

Grounded or Ungrounded?

Energy medicine practitioners often use the term “ungrounded” to describe a state when individuals feel spaced-out or scattered. However, different practitioners ascribe different meanings and contexts when it comes to grounding. For many, grounding is the connection of the body with the ground, for some, it is just a mental and psychological connection with the Earth, for yet others, it is the metaphysical connection that they share with the collective consciousness through the information which is stored in the Earth. However, science looks at grounding in a different light.

Grounding vs. Earthing

Grounding, in scientific terms, is better known as Earthing and refers to the health benefits derived from the body’s contact with the Earth’s natural electric charge. Earthing stabilizes the physiology and leads to reduction in inflammation, pain, and stress, improves blood flow, energy, and sleep, and brings about greater well-being.

The Human-Earth Connection

Humans have been in constant connection with the Earth in the past when they walked barefoot or used leather footwear and slept on the ground or on animal hides (leather being a good conductor). However, with the advent of civilization and lifestyle, humans have become electromagnetically disconnected with the ground.

Today’s generation has lost its electrical roots. We no longer walk barefoot and prefer the use of insulating synthetic soled footwear instead of conductive leather ones. Most of our time is spent in high rises way above the ground. Also, we have upgraded to modern elevated beds, disengaging us from the Earth’s built-up energy.

This disconnection with Earth, according to recent ongoing studies, is one of the many contributing factors in the global epidemic of chronic diseases in our generation. The lack of Earthing causes a build-up of static electricity and leads to electron deficiency in the body making it prone to electrical imbalances. This further makes the body vulnerable to diseases, disorders and dysfunctions.

Role of Free Radicals and Electron Deficiency in Health and Disease

Free radicals also known as reactive oxygen or nitrogen species (ROS/ RNS) play a dual role in the body – both beneficial and harmful. They are generated either endogenously during metabolic processes or exogenously via processes like pollution, cigarette smoke, radiation, medication etc. In a beneficial role, free radicals perform important functions in cellular responses and immune function. However, an overload of free radicals in the body leads to a phenomenon called oxidative stress.

Structurally, free radicals contain an unpaired electron which makes them highly unstable. To regain stability, they are in a constant search to bind with another electron. These free radicals act as electron scavengers stealing electrons from healthy cells and creating a chain reaction or snowball effect. This process of oxidative stress is a crucial element in the development of inflammation.

Science has proved that inflammation is the underlying event in all chronic and degenerative conditions like cancer, autoimmune disorders, aging, cataract, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases etc.

Earth – A Source of Free Electrons

The surface of Earth, as is well known, is electrically conductive and possesses an inexhaustible and replenishable supply of free electrons. It is maintained at a negative potential by three main sources of atmospheric electrical circuit –

1. Solar wind entering the magnetosphere
2. Ionospheric wind
3. Meteorological activities

Around 1000 to 2000 thunderstorms are continually active around the globe, creating a constant current of thousands of amperes transferring negative charge to the surface of the Earth. The iron and nickel in the Earth’s molten core present at high pressure and temperature also liberates free electrons. These abundant sources of free electrons give the Earth a natural negative electric charge. Although Earth’s surface is a cornucopia of electrons, the atmosphere is an insulator – a relatively poor conductor. This is the reason why there is scarce transfer of electrons from the atmosphere to the human body until the body comes in direct skin contact with Earth or by conducting Earthing systems that connect the body with the Earth.

Humans are Electric Beings

Humans are known as bioelectric beings by virtue of the ability to conduct and communicate electrically mediated signals. Two Polish doctors and researchers, Sokal and Sokal, in their series of experiments concluded that Earthing the human body strongly influences the bioelectrical, bioenergetics, and biochemical processes and offers a significant modulating effect on chronic illnesses and dysfunction.

Earthing has been shown to reverse both acute and chronic inflammation rapidly. Our connection with the Earth facilitates the transfer of free electrons into the body thus maintaining the same electrical potential as the Earth. Just like charging a battery, Earthing rapidly loads up the body’s electrical system by transferring electrons to the inflamed region or body part and neutralizing the free radicals.

Since inflammation is the basis of all chronic conditions, Earthing acts as a never-ending source, providing the “natural electric nutrition” or “vitamin G” to the cells starving for electrons. Earthing corrects the electron deficiency caused by free radicals and restores and maintains a natural internal electrical environment.

Article by Reiki Master Supriya Nair

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Dr. Supriya Nair, IMD, PhD has been a Reiki and Kriya Yoga practitioner since 2008. A conduit between the scientific and spiritual worlds, Dr. Supriya has a profound fascination for the healing arts. Apart from holding the title of Usui Reiki Master Teacher, Dr. Supriya is a certified Health Coach and proficient in various integrative medicine modalities. She is also the author of "Train Your Brain to Unchain Your Pain."
To get in touch with Dr. Supriya, you can reach out via email at [email protected] or connect with her on Facebook at facebook.com/supriyanair111 and on Instagram at instagram.com/proconscious.cafe.