EMF Sensitivity: Are Your Smart Devices Harming You?

As technology has become more and more integrated into our daily lives, you may have heard concerns about the long-term side effects of its constant presence. Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) have long been speculated to have subtle negative effects on our bodies, and a small percentage of people are thought to have EMF hypersensitivity with sometimes dramatic health effects.

EMF side effects can cause people with EMF hypersensitivity to feel dizzy, experience headaches, and even a tingling sensation when exposed to devices that emit these wavelengths, such as Wi-Fi.

While the term “electromagnetic hypersensitivity” first appeared in 1991 when anecdotal reports of people suffering from similar symptoms, EHS is not actually recognized as an illness in the allopathic medical field, but only in alternative medicine. Yet, the ubiquitous “electricity pollution” in the modern world is relatively new in human history and since it’s invisible it’s hard to understand and study.

Studies suggesting that EMFs have a negative impact on people are limited, with research finding that those self-diagnosed with EHS couldn’t tell when they were being exposed to actual radio waves and fake waves. Another study found that the belief that EMFs are harmful may actually be the culprit of the negative symptoms due to something called a nocebo effect. This causes the person to experience negative symptoms due to their belief, rather than any actual impact. 

Holistic practitioners, however, say that the symptoms of their patients are very real. And for those of you who think you may be sensitive to electromagnetic energy, if you feel that your EHS is impairing your day-to-day life, there are measures you can take to potentially alleviate your symptoms.

An EMF-literate provider can conduct a physical exam as well as blood tests to record your current state and see about addressing any nutrient deficiencies that may be exacerbating the issue. You can also seek guidance from cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, or self-help groups.

Some environmental changes you can make to allay your symptoms include getting a dehumidifier to reduce indoor air pollution, installing softer lighting indoors, and incorporating ergonomic furniture into your home. Turn off WiFI at night while sleeping, make sure not to sleep too close to smart meters or have them removed, devices for your computer or phone and even clothing that block EMF radiation, Faraday shields or tents that can be used to block radiation around your bed, and grounding with a grounding mat or sheets can help too. Some very sensitive people even turn off the electricity in their bedroom at night to find relief.

Certain plants have also been lauded for their ability to mitigate EMFs, including snake plants, succulents, asparagus ferns, betel leaf plants, spider plants, fiddle leaves, stone lotus flowers, areca palms, aloe vera, sunflowers, and rubber plants.

For most of us, you’d be hard-pressed in a day to avoid any electronic devices altogether. These devices are all around us and have become an integral part of our daily lives. Refrigerators, televisions, electric cars, computers, gaming consoles—and that’s to say nothing of the smartphones and watches that are constantly making contact with your skin. But by adapting your lifestyle with environmental elements, seeking therapy, and consulting your doctor, you can fight against EMFs, relieve symptoms of EHS, and create a cleaner, safer electromagnetic environment for yourself.