Grounding Science: What We’re Tracking
Grounding (or Earthing) refers to direct electrical connection with the Earth's natural charge. Over the past two decades, researchers have explored how this simple connection may influence inflammation, stress, sleep, recovery, and overall physiology.
Below is a curated, growing index of published studies organized by category. Each entry links directly to the original research and highlights its key findings in clear language.
This page is informational and not medical advice. Many studies are small or early; results need replication. Talk to your healthcare provider about your situation.
Overview & Mechanisms
Can electrons act as antioxidants? A review and commentary
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2008 (PMID: 18047442)
Suggests that direct contact with the Earth can deliver electrons that act as antioxidants, helping to reduce oxidative stress.
Earthing: health implications of reconnecting the human body to the Earth's surface electrons
The Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2012 (PMC3265077)
Overview on potential physiological impacts of reconnection with Earth’s electrons.
Grounding (earthing) as related to electromagnetic hygiene: An integrative review
Biomedical Journal, 2022 (PMID: 36496151)
Frames grounding as part of EMF hygiene and body-voltage reduction.
Analysis of the Charge Exchange Between the Human Body and Ground: Evaluation of “Earthing” From an Electrical Perspective
Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 2014 (PMID: 25435837)
Demonstrates measurable charge transfer and body-voltage changes during grounding.
The neuromodulative role of earthing
Medical Hypotheses, 2011 (PMID: 21856083)
Hypothesizes nervous-system modulation via changes in body electric potential.
Sleep, Stress & Circadian Health
Grounding the Body Improves Sleep Quality in Patients with Mild Alzheimer’s Disease: A Pilot Study
Healthcare (Basel), 2022 (PMC8954071)
Grounding improved sleep quality and circadian rhythm in mild Alzheimer’s.
The biologic 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, 2004 (PMID: 15650465)
Sleeping grounded normalized nighttime cortisol and improved self-reported sleep.
The effect of grounding the human body on mood
Psychological Reports, 2015 (PMID: 25748085)
Grounding improved mood and reduced stress via autonomic balance.
Effect of Earthing Mats on Sleep Quality in Rats
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024 (PMID: 39337279)
Rats on earthing mats showed more REM/NREM sleep and antioxidant changes.
Electrical Grounding Improves Vagal Tone in Preterm Infants
Neonatology, 2017 (PMID: 28601861)
Grounding increased vagal tone, indicating autonomic stabilization in preterm infants.
Influence of electromagnetic fields on the circadian rhythm: Implications for human health and disease
Biomed Journal, 2023 (PMID: 36681118)
Reviews natural EMFs (e.g., Schumann resonance) and circadian biology; discusses potential health implications.
Inflammation, Immunity & Recovery
The effects of grounding (earthing) on Inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune Diseases
Journal of Inflammation Research, 2015 (PMCID: PMC4378297)
Narrative synthesis linking grounding to inflammation and immune modulation.
Pilot Study on the Effect of Grounding on Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010 (PMID: 20192911)
Grounded participants showed reduced pain and inflammation after exercise.
Effectiveness of Grounded Sleeping on Recovery After Intensive Eccentric Muscle Loading
Frontiers in Physiology, 2019 (PMID: 30745882)
Grounded sleep improved recovery markers after heavy eccentric exercise.
Grounding after moderate eccentric contractions reduces muscle damage
Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine, 2015 (PMID: 26443876)
Grounding post-exercise reduced muscle damage and soreness.
The Effects of Grounding (Earthing) on Bodyworkers' Pain and Overall Quality of Life: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Explore (NY), 2019 (PMID: 30448083)
Reduced pain, fatigue, and stress; improved overall quality of life.
Prevention and treatment of COVID-19 infection by earthing
Biomed Journal., 2023 (PMID: 35987499)
Observational analysis proposing grounding as an adjunct around infection and recovery.
Earthing as a Supportive Therapy for Post-Spinal Surgery Recovery
Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2025 (PMID: 40507606)
Post-surgical patients grounding during recovery showed less pain and better function.
Grounding – The universal anti-inflammatory remedy
Biomed Journal, 2023 (PMID: 36528336)
Review of evidence that grounding may reduce inflammation and support recovery.
Cardiovascular & Blood Health
Earthing (grounding) the human body reduces blood viscosity-a major factor in cardiovascular disease
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2013 (PMID: 22757749)
Grounding lowered blood viscosity, suggesting improved circulation.
Grounding Patients With Hypertension Improves Blood Pressure: A Case History Series Study
Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 2018 (PMID: 30982019)
Case series reported blood-pressure reductions associated with grounding.
Changes in pulse rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygenation, perfusion index, skin conductance, and their variability induced during and after grounding human subjects for 40 minutes
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010 (PMID: 20064020)
40 minutes of grounding produced measurable shifts in cardiorespiratory and autonomic markers.
Lifestyle & Clinical Integration
Practical applications of grounding to support health
Biomedical Journal, 2023 (PMCID: PMC10105020)
Explainer on the global electrical circuit and potential clinical use cases.
Integrative and lifestyle medicine strategies should include Earthing (grounding): Review of research evidence and clinical observations
Explore (NY), 2020 (PMID: 31831261)
Review arguing for grounding within lifestyle/clinical toolkits.
Electric Nutrition: The Surprising Health and Healing Benefits of Biological Grounding (Earthing)
Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 2017 (PMID: 28987038)
Conceptual review proposing “electric nutrition” as a health input.
Illnesses in technologically advanced societies due to lack of grounding (earthing)
Biomed Journal, 2023 (PMID: 36336303)
Perspective linking modern disconnection to inflammation, poor sleep, and chronic disease.