Your Body Is Electric: What the Science Says About EMFs, Health, and Resilience

Oct 21

Everything from your thoughts to your feelings to your sensory experiences to your heartbeat to your breath to your speech to your digestion to every movement you have ever made is only possible because you are conductive. Electrochemical signals light up your nervous system and coordinate every cell. While natural electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from the earth and atmosphere are part of the background of life, the last century has layered on man-made EMFs (from wiring, appliances, Wi-Fi, cell networks, etc.) that are new to biology.

The predominant world view in our society is that electromagnetic fields are completely safe as long as they do not heat or shock you. Much of our economy is based upon this assumption, so I understand how some would conclude that it must be true. EMF research has evolved tremendously in the last 30 years. The old idea that radio frequency radiation is only harmful if it heats you is no longer scientifically valid. There are now thousands of qualified studies that show biological effects at exposures similar to consumer technology; scientists in multiple countries can validate that non-ionizing radio frequency (e.g. smartphone radiation) damages our DNA.

Below I summarize findings on possible negative effects of EMFs in people and in the environment, plus practical strategies to lower exposure and boost resilience. As an added bonus, I share my current favorite protocols and tools.

Diagram: For an overview of common “support vs. stress” EMF sources and a discussion of shielding trade-offs, see Panagopoulos & Chrousos, *Science of the Total Environment* (2019).

Highlights from the Research (Humans)

Oxidative stress & antioxidant defenses. Multiple reviews report that EMF exposure can increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) and disrupt antioxidant systems — a pathway that can affect lipids, proteins, mitochondria, and DNA. Effects of electromagnetic fields exposure on the antioxidant defense system

Sperm quality, testosterone, and fertility. A widely cited meta-analysis found 21 of 27 studies reporting adverse effects of mobile-phone RF exposure on human sperm parameters; oxidative stress is a leading mechanism. Effect of mobile telephones on sperm quality: A systematic review and meta-analysis

In this clip from episode 108 of the Huberman Lab podcast, Dr. Andrew Huberman discusses how cell phone usage and EMFs can have a negative impact on sperm health and testosterone levels. Dr. Andrew Huberman is a tenured professor of neurobiology and ophthalmology at Stanford University School of Medicine. Episode 108 of the Huberman Lab podcast also discusses potential impacts on male fertility and hormones.

Electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS). Case descriptions and clinical guidance document symptom clusters (sleep problems, headaches, fatigue, skin sensations) in some individuals attributed to EMF exposure. Clinical guidelines recommend exposure reduction and supportive care. Electromagnetic hypersensitivity--an increasing challenge to the medical profession.

Headaches. A 2017 systematic review and meta-analysis in Scientific Reports (Nature Research) found mobile-phone use associated with increased headache risk. Mobile Phone Use and The Risk of Headache: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Cross sectional Studies

Childhood leukemia (low-frequency magnetic fields). A pooled analysis (British Journal of Cancer) reported an increased leukemia risk at household magnetic fields ≥ 0.4 µT (≈ 4 mG). A pooled analysis of magnetic fields and childhood leukaemia

Brain tumors (long-term phone use). A 2017 meta-analysis of case-control studies reported higher brain-tumor risk in ≥ 10-year mobile-phone users. Mobile phone use and risk of brain tumours: a systematic review of association between study quality, source of funding, and research outcomes

Large animal toxicology.
• High exposure to radio frequency radiation associated with cancer in male rats
• Report of final results regarding brain and heart tumors in Sprague-Dawley rats exposed from prenatal life until natural death to mobile phone radiofrequency field representative of a 1.8 GHz GSM base station environmental emission
• Long-Term, Low-Level Microwave Irradiation of Rats

Environmental & Building Science Evidence

Wildlife and plants. A peer-reviewed trilogy in Reviews of Environmental Health details rising ambient EMFs and documented effects across flora and fauna; other reviews propose EMFs as a contributing driver of insect decline. Low-level EMF effects on wildlife and plants: What research tells us about an ecosystem approach

Smart/healthy buildings. A 2019 paper in Building and Environment argues that building-performance metrics should include low-RFR best practices (e.g., wired alternatives) to protect occupants and ecosystems. Building science and radiofrequency radiation: What makes smart and healthy buildings

Practice Guidelines & Foundational Reports

EUROPAEM (2016). Clinical guideline for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of EMF-related health problems; emphasizes minimizing exposure and supporting homeostasis. EUROPAEM EMF Guideline 2016 for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of EMF-related health problems and illnesses

Naval Medical Research Institute (1971). Dr. Glaser’s bibliography lists ~2,300 reports of biological effects from RF/microwaves up to that date — a historical overview of early findings. BIBLIOGRAPHY OF REPORTED BIOLOGICAL PHENOMENA ('EFFECTS') AND CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS ATTRIBUTED TO MICROWAVE AND RADIO-FREQUENCY RADIATION

German review of 878 Russian studies (Hecht). Commissioned in the 1990s; English translation describes reported health effects from EMF exposures, Biological effects of electromagnetic fields on humans in the frequency range of 0 to 3 GHz. Summary and Results of a study of Russian medical literature from 1960-1996

Strategies to Eliminate/Reduce EMF Exposure & Boost Resiliency

1) Remove man-made EMF sources where possible

Use airplane mode when carrying a phone on your body; don’t sleep with phones or chargers at the bedside.

Re-evaluate wireless baby monitors, gaming systems, smart speakers, printers, and other always-on transmitters- especially in or near bedrooms.

Consider using corded phones and wired internet. Unplug unused devices or use switchable power strips at night to reduce ELF fields near the bed.

Choose non-RF solutions where practical (e.g., toaster oven instead of microwave; avoid electric blankets/heated beds).

These steps align with clinical guidance to minimize exposure first. Belyaev et al.: EUROPAEM EMF Guideline 2016

2) Reduce exposures you can’t remove (increase distance)

Place Wi-Fi routers far from sleeping areas; if you must keep Wi-Fi, reduce nighttime exposure and locate access points away from bedrooms.

Don’t hold the phone to your head - use speakerphone or a wired headset; keep laptops/tablets on desks, not laps.

Re-arrange seating/sleeping to create space from wall wiring and large appliances.
Intensity falls off sharply with distance; guidance favors separation and shorter call durations. Building and Environment, Volume 176, June 2020

3) Shield when you can’t remove or distance

Quality matters: materials must be between you and the source and matched to the frequency. Reviews caution against gadgets that lack measurable attenuation and instead recommend source control and verified shielding where needed (e.g., fabrics, meshes, paints, curtains, cases). Shielding methods and products against man-made Electromagnetic Fields: Protection versus risk

Small case series: In Immunologic Research (2017), 64 autoimmune patients who used a silver-threaded sleep cap reported symptom improvements suggests shielding can reduce symptoms.

4) Ground to the earth

Many people find earthing (direct skin contact with the ground) calming and sleep-supportive. While the clinical literature is still developing, nature exposure and time outdoors are consistent with low-EMF, circadian-friendly living and are endorsed in precautionary guidance. Dr. Koniver. The Earth’s Role in Circadian Regulation: Grounding to Set Daily Cortisol Pattern. J Med - Clin Res & Rev. 2025; 9(8): 1-4.

The Biologic Effects of Grounding the Human Body During Sleep as Measured by Cortisol Levels and Subjective Reporting of Sleep, Pain, and Stress. Maurice Ghaly, M.D., and Dale Teplitz, M.A.

Illnesses in technologically advanced societies due to lack of grounding

Electric Nutrition: The Surprising Health and Healing Benefits of Biological Grounding

5) Boost the body’s resilience (support homeostasis & repair)

Nutrition: Emphasize antioxidant-rich foods (colorful plants, nuts, seeds). Where appropriate and with clinician guidance, consider support for redox balance such as vitamin C/E, melatonin, and glutathione precursors (e.g., N-acetylcysteine). Journal of Microscopy and Ultrastructure, Volume 5, Issue 4, December 2017, Pages 167-176

Sleep: Dark, cool, quiet rooms with minimal EMFs; reduce blue light after dusk.

Movement & breath: Daily outdoor walking and deep breathing improve mitochondrial function and autonomic balance.

Reduce co-exposures: Swap out toxic cleaners, synthetic fragrances, and ultra-processed foods; filter drinking water; prioritize organic when possible. Lowering other toxic burdens may reduce cumulative oxidative/inflammatory stress.

As the 2016 EUROPAEM EMF exposure guidelines state: “Anything that supports homeostasis will increase a person’s resilience against disease and thus against the adverse effects of EMF exposure.”

BONUS – Nicole’s current protocol and favorite tools:

My favorite shielding products are the HAVN by Lambs WaveStopper blanket (I use this every day and night!) I also have various WaveStopper apparel that I wear during travel.

I also use the Bedside Shield from the Intuition Physician Shop mentioned below as I prefer to keep my cell phone on at night.

LessEMF.com has the largest selection of shielding, grounding, and testing products I’ve discovered so far. I have the Signal Tamer - WiFi Router Radiation Shield, eyeShield™ - Silver RF Shielding Eye Mask, iBrain Airtube headset, and Heel Ground.

My favorite grounding products are made by Dr. Laura Koniver and can be purchased in her Intuition Physician Shop here. I regularly use the following products from this shop: Organic Grounding Mat, PureGround Grounding Cord, 12 ft ground laptop cord, and Silver Gel.

I am so grateful for the technology that is available today and especially appreciate being able to work from anywhere in the world, communicate with my loved ones by phone, text, and see them live via FaceTime, have the opportunity to create blogs like this and distribute it for anyone in the world to see via my website, and more. EMFs are incredibly useful, however like with most things, it is important to be aware of the risks and complications that may arise from them and make informed choices from there.

Note: This blog written by Nicole is educational and not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Nicole is NOT a licensed medical practitioner. If you have specific symptoms (e.g., sleep disturbance, headaches, fertility concerns), discuss exposure-reduction and resilience strategies with your clinician, and consider professional EMF assessment of your home/workspace.