“Earthing” ?
#26
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I'm a trained scientist, but I don't pretend that science as we know it today explains everything.
Look at the way fire science is now looking at native practices similar to "controlled burns" to mitigate wildfires, just in the last 10-15 years. Or the articles on reintroducing beavers, and the benefits to flood control, water retention, and biodiversity in the last five years. Those are a far cry from the Corps of Engineers straightening and armoring (via concrete viaducts) creeks and small rivers when I was younger.
So my wife was fascinated to find New Zealand hospitals include a small garden with bare soil so natives (and other patients) can walk barefoot on dirt as part of their recovery. There's no evidence that it doesn't work, and thousands of years of native healing behind the practice. (She was less enthused by birds flying through open windows and down the halls, FWIW.)
Look at the way fire science is now looking at native practices similar to "controlled burns" to mitigate wildfires, just in the last 10-15 years. Or the articles on reintroducing beavers, and the benefits to flood control, water retention, and biodiversity in the last five years. Those are a far cry from the Corps of Engineers straightening and armoring (via concrete viaducts) creeks and small rivers when I was younger.
So my wife was fascinated to find New Zealand hospitals include a small garden with bare soil so natives (and other patients) can walk barefoot on dirt as part of their recovery. There's no evidence that it doesn't work, and thousands of years of native healing behind the practice. (She was less enthused by birds flying through open windows and down the halls, FWIW.)
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Well just drag an anchor chain. Im old enough to remember back in the '40s, when a lot of guys had a small chain dragging on the ground under their car.
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I'd like to see a blind study that also had subjects tested while wearing special shoes with copper in the soles to amplify the earth effect.
I suspect the results might be similar.
I suspect the results might be similar.
#30
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Well obviously there will be some commercial products available in almost anything you can think of. But I don't think there is a "Big grounding" industry. It's largely a non-commercial scrientific concept as far as I was aware. The little I've read about it suggests walking barefoot outdoors occasionally to ground yourself. I've read about grounding your bed too, but again hardly a commercial sell.
As a kid, we called earthing, playing in the grass, I guess that' why I'm cynical about it. It cost nothing and we did not need special terms or equipment. Just like as a kid we called gravel biking; riding on a dirt road.
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That's how gravel bikes started and now there's gravel shoes, shorts, shirts, socks, chammies, glasses, etc. So, yea.
As a kid, we called earthing, playing in the grass, I guess that' why I'm cynical about it. It cost nothing and we did not need special terms or equipment. Just like as a kid we called gravel biking; riding on a dirt road.
As a kid, we called earthing, playing in the grass, I guess that' why I'm cynical about it. It cost nothing and we did not need special terms or equipment. Just like as a kid we called gravel biking; riding on a dirt road.
My take is that a lot of people have simply lost that simple connection with the natural world in their everyday lives and maybe there are some potential negative consequences. It's a bit like taking vitamin D supplements in lieu of getting enough natural sunlight. The science is clearly limited as to the potential benefits of being adequately grounded, but I wouldn't dismiss it as nonsense. The scientific studies carried out on the effect grounding has on blood flow are at least interesting. I agree that the commercial products are a bit pointless since grounding is pretty simple to achieve for free. I have tried it very briefly by walking around barefoot in the garden and it felt pretty good. Certainly felt like a good stress reliever if nothing else.
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That's how gravel bikes started and now there's gravel shoes, shorts, shirts, socks, chammies, glasses, etc. So, yea.
As a kid, we called earthing, playing in the grass, I guess that' why I'm cynical about it. It cost nothing and we did not need special terms or equipment. Just like as a kid we called gravel biking; riding on a dirt road.
As a kid, we called earthing, playing in the grass, I guess that' why I'm cynical about it. It cost nothing and we did not need special terms or equipment. Just like as a kid we called gravel biking; riding on a dirt road.
#33
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Yep, we can definitely agree you are cynical. Especially if you think this is how gravel bikes came about!
My take is that a lot of people have simply lost that simple connection with the natural world in their everyday lives and maybe there are some potential negative consequences. It's a bit like taking vitamin D supplements in lieu of getting enough natural sunlight. The science is clearly limited as to the potential benefits of being adequately grounded, but I wouldn't dismiss it as nonsense. The scientific studies carried out on the effect grounding has on blood flow are at least interesting. I agree that the commercial products are a bit pointless since grounding is pretty simple to achieve for free. I have tried it very briefly by walking around barefoot in the garden and it felt pretty good. Certainly felt like a good stress reliever if nothing else.
My take is that a lot of people have simply lost that simple connection with the natural world in their everyday lives and maybe there are some potential negative consequences. It's a bit like taking vitamin D supplements in lieu of getting enough natural sunlight. The science is clearly limited as to the potential benefits of being adequately grounded, but I wouldn't dismiss it as nonsense. The scientific studies carried out on the effect grounding has on blood flow are at least interesting. I agree that the commercial products are a bit pointless since grounding is pretty simple to achieve for free. I have tried it very briefly by walking around barefoot in the garden and it felt pretty good. Certainly felt like a good stress reliever if nothing else.
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Maybe the next big trend in cycling will be bicycles that emit electric current through the cyclists body while pedaling, the marketing hype behind it will be that it's guaranteed to prolong your life, increase your speed and watts, prevent bonking, speed up recovery after a hard ride, cure all diseases and make you immune to all types of sicknesses, make you sleep better etc etc....I bet millions will jump on the marketing bandwagon.
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https://chopra.com/articles/groundin...ts-of-earthing
If it works for her that is great. It sounds a bit woo woo to me, like pyramid power, healing crystals and the like, but different strokes…. The placebo effect does have its merits.
If it works for her that is great. It sounds a bit woo woo to me, like pyramid power, healing crystals and the like, but different strokes…. The placebo effect does have its merits.
That page contains a bunch of citations of "peer reviewed" studies in predatory journals.
As long as it's harmless, placebo effect is fine.
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https://chopra.com/articles/groundin...ts-of-earthing
If it works for her that is great. It sounds a bit woo woo to me, like pyramid power, healing crystals and the like, but different strokes…. The placebo effect does have its merits.
If it works for her that is great. It sounds a bit woo woo to me, like pyramid power, healing crystals and the like, but different strokes…. The placebo effect does have its merits.
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I have done some earthing a few times while riding my MTB. I'm not a fan. I'm still healing in a few spots.
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#39
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It's not a new concept and I'm not aware of any commercial links.
I came across this idea myself a couple of years ago, but don't actively do it. The science is pretty thin on the ground, but there is some evidence that grounding promotes a healthier cardiovascular system i.e. lower blood pressure, reduced inflammation, improved blood flow, less clotting etc. There are also few more potential subjective benefits relating to mood/depression/anxiety/sleep quality etc. What little science there is tends to be fairly positive toward the potential benefits. I'm not surprised to find pro cycling teams doing it for potential marginal gains.
Here are some quotes from the research:-
"In a small study on grounding and heart health, 10 healthy participants were grounded using patches on the palms of their hands and soles of their feet.
Blood measurements were taken before and after grounding to determine any changes in red blood cell fluidity, which plays a role in heart health. The results indicated significantly less red blood cell clumping after grounding, which suggests benefits for cardiovascular health."
"Another slightly larger study examined the role of grounding on post-exercise muscle damage. Researchers used both grounding patches and mats and measured creatine kinase, white blood cell count, and pain levels before and after grounding.
Blood work indicated that grounding reduced muscle damage and pain in participants. This suggests that grounding may influence healing abilities."
So you can see why pro cyclists might take note.
I came across this idea myself a couple of years ago, but don't actively do it. The science is pretty thin on the ground, but there is some evidence that grounding promotes a healthier cardiovascular system i.e. lower blood pressure, reduced inflammation, improved blood flow, less clotting etc. There are also few more potential subjective benefits relating to mood/depression/anxiety/sleep quality etc. What little science there is tends to be fairly positive toward the potential benefits. I'm not surprised to find pro cycling teams doing it for potential marginal gains.
Here are some quotes from the research:-
"In a small study on grounding and heart health, 10 healthy participants were grounded using patches on the palms of their hands and soles of their feet.
Blood measurements were taken before and after grounding to determine any changes in red blood cell fluidity, which plays a role in heart health. The results indicated significantly less red blood cell clumping after grounding, which suggests benefits for cardiovascular health."
"Another slightly larger study examined the role of grounding on post-exercise muscle damage. Researchers used both grounding patches and mats and measured creatine kinase, white blood cell count, and pain levels before and after grounding.
Blood work indicated that grounding reduced muscle damage and pain in participants. This suggests that grounding may influence healing abilities."
So you can see why pro cyclists might take note.
Seriously, "The Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine"?!
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#40
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I wouldn't quite lump it in with those pagan type things. Static electricity is at least real and measurable. What effect it has on the human body is certainly questionable, but I wouldn't call it woo woo. I could be convinced about the affects on blood flow and clotting etc. given enough scientific evidence, although it doesn't appear to have been studied rigorously enough at this point to make any conclusion either way. I'm certainly not ordering any grounding mats, but I'm not aversed to a bit of barefoot grounding. It can feel strangely relaxing, although I haven't done it since the summer months.
There have been studies which have confirmed the calming effects of being out in nature. Could be related, maybe not. As a child, or as.an adult, ever lay on the grass and watch the clouds roll by? Pretty pacific.
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if felt right
meditation could work for her as well
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#44
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Actually Flip was right on the money. Mediation can be a very good option as well and isn’t weather dependent
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#45
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I'm a trained scientist, but I don't pretend that science as we know it today explains everything.
Look at the way fire science is now looking at native practices similar to "controlled burns" to mitigate wildfires, just in the last 10-15 years. Or the articles on reintroducing beavers, and the benefits to flood control, water retention, and biodiversity in the last five years. Those are a far cry from the Corps of Engineers straightening and armoring (via concrete viaducts) creeks and small rivers when I was younger.
Look at the way fire science is now looking at native practices similar to "controlled burns" to mitigate wildfires, just in the last 10-15 years. Or the articles on reintroducing beavers, and the benefits to flood control, water retention, and biodiversity in the last five years. Those are a far cry from the Corps of Engineers straightening and armoring (via concrete viaducts) creeks and small rivers when I was younger.
So my wife was fascinated to find New Zealand hospitals include a small garden with bare soil so natives (and other patients) can walk barefoot on dirt as part of their recovery. There's no evidence that it doesn't work, and thousands of years of native healing behind the practice. (She was less enthused by birds flying through open windows and down the halls, FWIW.)
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#46
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The static charge on a human averages around 10 nano amps. This is a problem when it is shunted to ground through a circuit with a current limit that is a small fraction of that amount.
That amount of current is more a tribute to precision electronics that allow us to measure it than anything else.
Note also that the static charge on a human is dependent on the humidity level. Some manufacturing facilities have humidifying misters to help reduce static charge on people.
People who live in damp climates will have much lower static charge levels on the surface of their body. Also, washing your hands will reduce the static charge on the surface of your body.
Lastly, I did find one study done by a Chiropractic University that examined the claim that there is information transferred from the body to the earth. They found that the signal is too weak and too random to possibly contain information.
All the claims for earthing belong in one of these:
That amount of current is more a tribute to precision electronics that allow us to measure it than anything else.
Note also that the static charge on a human is dependent on the humidity level. Some manufacturing facilities have humidifying misters to help reduce static charge on people.
People who live in damp climates will have much lower static charge levels on the surface of their body. Also, washing your hands will reduce the static charge on the surface of your body.
Lastly, I did find one study done by a Chiropractic University that examined the claim that there is information transferred from the body to the earth. They found that the signal is too weak and too random to possibly contain information.
All the claims for earthing belong in one of these:
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I'm very disappointed in you.
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#48
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I am so tender footed that I don't even walk about the house barefoot. Even when I did field service work some home/business owners would ask me to take my shoes off. I just used the throw away booties and hoped they were cool with it.