The concept of "grounding" or "earthing"—the practice of connecting the human body to the Earth's natural electrical charge to potentially reduce inflammation, pain, and improve sleep—has gained attention in alternative health circles. Proponents claim it revives an ancient, natural process disrupted by modern lifestyles, with roots in early 20th-century ideas and a modern revival.
A promotional narrative circulating online describes a **Dr. Fitzgerald** who allegedly patented a grounding device in 1891 to treat chronic pain, insomnia, arthritis, and circulation issues by addressing "electrical dysfunction" in the body. It ties this to the Earth's electrons neutralizing excess charge and reducing chronic inflammation, which the story claims was a root cause of disease. The account asserts the device was approved by the U.S. Patent Office, used by doctors, and then suppressed after the 1910 Flexner Report—funded by figures like John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie—shifted medicine toward drugs and surgery, labeling such approaches "quackery" for profit motives.
However, extensive searches of historical records, patents, and medical history reveal no evidence of a Dr. Fitzgerald patenting such a grounding device in 1891. No matching patent, medical journal documentation of widespread use, or patient recoveries from that era tied to grounding appear in reliable sources. Early electrotherapy devices existed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries (e.g., "medical batteries" for shock-based treatments), but they focused on direct electrical stimulation, not passive Earth connection. The Flexner Report did reshape American medical education by closing many substandard schools and prioritizing evidence-based, pharmaceutical-oriented training—but it did not specifically target or mention grounding or earthing practices, as the modern concept did not exist then.
The contemporary grounding movement traces primarily to **Clint Ober**, a former cable TV executive who began promoting it in the 1990s. Ober developed indoor grounding products (like mats and sheets) after observing potential benefits from direct Earth contact. He collaborated on early anecdotal observations around 2000 and supported subsequent research. Over 20 peer-reviewed studies (many involving Ober-affiliated researchers) have explored grounding's effects, often using conductive sheets or pads connected to a building's electrical ground port.
Key published findings include:
- Potential reductions in markers of inflammation (e.g., via electron transfer neutralizing free radicals).
- Improvements in sleep quality, cortisol regulation, heart rate variability, blood viscosity, and subjective pain reports.
- Faster wound healing and reduced chronic inflammation signs in small-scale or pilot studies, documented with tools like infrared imaging.
Reviews in journals (e.g., Journal of Inflammation Research, Healthcare) suggest grounding may offer anti-inflammatory benefits as a low-risk adjunct, particularly for oxidative stress-related issues. However, experts from institutions like the University of Michigan and Cleveland Clinic note methodological limitations in many studies—such as small sample sizes, lack of robust controls, and potential placebo effects. Skeptics classify it as pseudoscience or unproven, arguing the body's electrical "homeostasis" claims lack strong biophysical support, and everyday contact with grounded objects (e.g., metal pipes) already occurs frequently.
Modern grounding products, including silver-threaded bedsheets from companies like The Grounding Co. (also known as Terra or similar brands), aim to replicate barefoot contact by plugging into an outlet's ground port. User reviews are mixed: many report better sleep, less pain, and more energy, while others call them ineffective or overpriced, with complaints of poor customer service or perceived scams on platforms like Trustpilot and Reddit. Some experts recommend them as a harmless trial for sleep or wellness, but advise caution for those with implanted devices (e.g., pacemakers) and emphasize they're not a cure or substitute for medical treatment.
While the historical suppression story appears unsubstantiated, research into grounding continues to evolve, with interest in its low-cost, nature-based potential amid rising chronic disease rates. As with many wellness trends, individual results vary, and more rigorous, independent studies are needed to clarify benefits.
Henry McClure
785.383.9994
sent from mobile 📱
time kills deals
785.383.9994
sent from mobile 📱
time kills deals