If, like an increasing number of people, you’re concerned about the harmful health effects of EMF radiation in the air, you have probably come across negative ion bracelets and are wondering whether or not they work.
As with anything else, before jumping in, and possibly wasting both your time and money, the prudent thing to do is to investigate both sides of the question and decide for yourself whether they work. It’s what we have done, and here’s what we found out.
Few Words Before We Begin
If you are reading this article, most likely you already know that EMF radiation is another name for the invisible waves emitted from devices like microwave ovens, WiFi routers, computers, smart TVs, smart speakers, smart thermostats and many other ‘smart’ appliances and devices.
You also know that while you can protect yourself by minimizing your use of these conveniences of modern life, there are other sources of EMF that are virtually inescapable. It’s hard to go about daily life without coming across overhead power lines, cellphone towers, fluorescent lighting, and even everyday electrical appliances.
Negative Ions Versus Positive Ions
A negative ion is a molecule that has become detached from an electron to float in the atmosphere. Contrary to what you would think, negative ions have a positive charge. They occur naturally in the air around the ocean and waterfalls, produced by water colliding to the earth. They are also present in mountains and forests where they are a natural byproduct of some native plants. And since strikes of lightning can turn positive ions into negative ones, you can almost feel them in the air after a thunder storm. Should you be in any of these natural settings the good news is you can inhale them and with them, their benefits.
In fact, you are always inhaling ions since they are ever-present in the air. However, not all are negative ones. Some are positive ions, but again opposite to logical thought, positive ions do not have a positive effect on your wellbeing, just the opposite. Toxic chemicals, pollen, pet dander, pollution, and mould to name but a few all contain ions with a positive charge. And as if these were not enough, thanks to technology, the air we are encountering more than ever since the electromagnetic fields (EMF) generated by computers, cellphones, microwave ovens and other so-called conveniences of modern life churn them out. And this is only at home, venture out into the workaday world and you will encounter more in office buildings, city streets, and industrial areas.
If you are experiencing headaches, nausea, irritability, vertigo, lethargy, and inability to concentrate, it is likely due to positive ions. More and more people are wearing a negative ion bracelet in hopes of protecting themselves from the effects. For here, logic wins out, as well as physics negative ions, no matter what their source, neutralize positive ions. However, before you run out to get one, it’s a topic of debate whether these bracelets are effective in providing EMF protection.
The bottom line reasoning of those who put little faith in them is not only do negative ion bracelets work to combat EMF but do they, as their proponents claim, succeed in reducing stress, strengthening the immune system, combating fatigue, and regulating sleep cycles. Whether they do or don’t doesn’t mean they have any effect on EMF radiation. But it’s safe to say, in both instances, maybe they do, and maybe they don’t. And if they do, maybe some work better than others. Unfortunately, there is no definitive way to find out.
How Does a Negative Ion Bracelet Work?
If you’re familiar with all of the above, let’s move on to the concept of, and reasoning underlying, negative ion bracelets.
The overall explanation is that since the bracelets are made of, or contain metals like titanium, or minerals such as zeolite and tourmaline, all of which are sources of negative ions, when you wear them, your body heat will be sufficient to cause them to generate negative ion fields around your body. And when you breathe them in, or absorb them through your skin, they will react with your body to produce serotonin, lower blood pressure, and fight free radicals, all possibly the effects of EMF exposure.
As for combating exposure itself, the bracelets are believed to disrupt EMF fields before they can do you harm.
All these may be true, but unfortunately, there is no way of testing negative ion bracelets like you can an EMF shielding blanket, for example by using it to cover your cellphone or some other EMF generating device with it, and then use an EMF meter to measure whether any radiation is getting through.
So you only have the manufacturers’ claims that they do. Or don’t. Those, who lean toward they don’t work, feel that while negative ion bracelets may very well generate negative ions and offset a small amount of EMF radiation, they point out that wearing a small bracelet on the wrist does not go a long way in disrupting the negative field surrounding the individual wearer.
Some questioners even concede that these small fields of immediate negative ions may, as their manufacturers say, protect us in other ways including weakening airborne infections, combating illness by enhancing the ability of the cilia lining the respiratory track, and treating depression.
Since negative ion bracelets are relatively new to the market, not much scientific research has gone into them, which is true of other EMF-blocking and shielding solutions overall. So it’s up to you to research the ones that are on the market. To get you started, here are three.
Quanthor Energy Bracelet
You will notice the manufacturer does not call it a negative ion bracelet, probably since as we pointed out they have no scientific data to back them up. However, they do emphasize other beneficial elements such as:
- a red ceramic insert which they say uses infra-red technology to absorb some of the energy surrounding you, and then recycle it to provide heat and energy that boosts blood circulation.
- a black diode which contains the mineral germanium which they say will strengthen immunity and prevent migraines.
- a white diode that is said to be a negative ion generator but in reality, any negative ion generation provided comes from a white powder in the band’s silicone content.
- a uni-polar neodymium magnet which they call a biog magnet that emits energy to physically strengthen the body, improve mental focus, and separate the cells of the blood so they can reach more areas, and in so doing, distribute more oxygen.
Karelian Heritage Shungite Bracelet
As the name says, this bracelet’s main material is shungite, a stone that contains molecules of hollow carbon arranged in a cage-like formulation that due to its three-dimensionality resembles a geodesic dome.
These carbon molecules, known as C60, are believed by some to have anti-microbial properties as well as the ability to combat HIV and free radicals. And by extension the manufacturers apply these properties to shungite. However, as far as EMF protection is concerned, shungite has equal shares of believers and non-believers.
Spirit-T Negative Ion Anti-EMF Bracelet
This bracelet contains two minerals built into it, tourmaline and germanium which the manufacturers say emit negative ions and far infrared heat. While they offer no explanation for how, they do say the bracelet “counters EMFs.” Other claimed benefits include reduced migraines and stress, and improved sleep and concentration.
Alternative Steps to Take Toward EMF Protection
Whether you find a negative ion bracelet you believe in or not, there are also steps you can take to lessen the effects of EMF fields:
- Since the sun, the ocean, mountains and woods all produce negative ions, if time and location permit, it’s beneficial to spend as much time as possible in nature.
- You might look into a Faraday Cage which is a metal enclosure that can be put around an EMF emitting device to block any electromagnetic frequency coming from it.
- Observe the Inverse Square Law that puts forth the principle that distance decreases intensity. In other words, put as much space between you and any EMF producing appliance as possible.
- And what could be simpler – create EMF free zones in your home by turning off all your WiFi devices, then go a step further and unplug them.
Now It’s Your Turn
These are just our findings and while we offer no endorsements, we definitely encourage you to carry out your own research into the question of do negative ion bracelets work. And whether or not you find one, research EMF shielding clothing such as anti-EMF underwear, hoodies, beanies, and blankets. The good thing about these is that you can use an EMF meter to test their efficacy. And if you don’t have an EMF meter, by all means get one.
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