The first studies on the effects of Grounding human physiology and health began with Drs. Karol and Pawel Sokal in Poland and Clint Ober in the United States in the 1990s.

The research that has followed has produced fascinating evidence of a powerful and positive shift in the electrical state of the body and the electrodynamics of blood, and a boost to self-healing and self-regulating mechanisms.

It has been proven that Grounding allows a transfer of electrons from the ground into the body. We know that inflammation is caused by free radicals and that free radicals are neutralized by electrons from any source. Electrons are the source of the neutralizing power of antioxidants.

In the Grounding studies, as well as testimonials from thousands of customers who have grounded themselves, we have consistent evidence of people whose pain has been reduced. Such reduction of pain is evidence (but not proof) that inflammation is reduced. However, the studies point clearly in that direction.

The titles of the studies conducted to date are listed below. Click on the titles to read the studies.

Grounding studies

1. Mitochondrial function: more ATP and less oxidative stress — 2025
   A 2025 laboratory study found that grounded mitochondria produced 5–11% more ATP (cellular energy) while generating 22–33% less reactive oxygen species (ROS). The findings suggest grounding may support more efficient mitochondrial energy production while reducing oxidative stress.
   
   
2. Grounding after spinal surgery: inflammation, pain and recovery — 2025
   Researchers studied 84 patients recovering from spinal surgery. Patients who were grounded during nighttime rest experienced a greater reduction in reported pain and showed significant differences in several recovery-related biomarkers compared with the control group. The researchers concluded that grounding may have potential as a supportive therapy for reducing postoperative pain and inflammation.
   
   
3. Grounding mats and sleep — 2025
   In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 60 people, participants used either a grounded or non-grounded mat for six hours a day over 31 days. The grounding group showed improvements in sleep quality, insomnia severity, daytime sleepiness and stress, with total sleep time significantly higher than the control group. Researchers concluded that grounding mats may help improve sleep quality.
   
   
4. Grounding and Alzheimer's disease mechanisms — 2025
   This scientific review investigated grounding as a potential complementary approach for Alzheimer's disease. Researchers examined evidence relating grounding to oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial function, sleep and other biological processes associated with Alzheimer's. The authors describe grounding as a promising area for further investigation but emphasize that larger clinical trials are needed before therapeutic benefits for Alzheimer's can be established.
   
   
5. Grounding and stress/neuroendocrine response — 2023
   In this animal study, researchers investigated whether grounding could influence the body's biological response to chronic stress. Grounded rats showed reduced anxiety-like behavior and decreased activity of CRF and c-Fos, markers involved in the brain's stress-response system. The results suggest grounding may influence biological pathways involved in stress regulation, although these findings still need to be demonstrated in humans.
   
   
6. Grounding and sleep in Alzheimer's patients — 2022
   In a 12-week placebo-controlled pilot study, people with mild Alzheimer's disease received either grounding or sham grounding. Participants in the grounding group showed a statistically significant improvement in sleep quality compared with the sham-grounding group. No significant improvement in anxiety or depression was found. Because only 15 participants completed the study, larger trials are needed.
   
   
7. Grounding and electromagnetic hygiene — 2022/2023
   This scientific review examined existing grounding research and how our electromagnetic environment may interact with grounding and human biology. It discusses research involving sleep, inflammation, exercise recovery, blood viscosity and other physiological effects, while also highlighting potential confounding factors and the need for stronger controlled studies.
   
   
8. Grounding and inflammation/chronic disease — 2023
   This review examines previous grounding research relating to inflammation, oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species and chronic disease. It explores the hypothesis that electrons available through grounding may influence reactive oxygen species and inflammatory processes.
   
   
9. Earthing and COVID-19 — 2022/2023
   An observational and interventional study involving 71 people with COVID-19 reported improvements in symptoms following grounding, including breathing difficulties, cough, weakness, headache and body pain.
   
   
10. Grounding and pain/quality of life — 2019
    In a six-week double-blind randomized controlled trial involving 16 massage therapists, participants reported significant improvements in physical function and energy and reductions in pain, fatigue, tiredness and depressed mood while grounded compared with periods when they were not grounded.
    
    
11. Grounding & Blood Pressure — 2018
    Ten people with hypertension grounded themselves for at least 10 hours per day over several months. Researchers reported an average 14.3% reduction in systolic blood pressure.
    
    
12. Vagal Tone & the Nervous System — 2017
    Researchers studied premature infants and found grounding reduced measured skin voltage by approximately 95%. Among those with heart-rate-variability measurements, vagal tone increased by 67% during grounding, suggesting an acute effect on autonomic nervous-system activity in this specific setting.
    
    
13. Exercise Recovery & Muscle Damage — 2015
    In a randomized study of 32 healthy men, researchers compared grounded and sham-grounded recovery following strenuous exercise. Differences were observed in creatine kinase and blood-cell measurements, suggesting grounding may influence aspects of muscle recovery.
    
    
14. Inflammation, Immune Response & Wound Healing — 2015
    This paper reviewed experimental evidence suggesting grounding may influence inflammation, immune responses and wound healing, including proposed mechanisms involving oxidative stress.
    
    
15. Blood Viscosity & Red-Blood-Cell Clumping — 2013
    Ten adults were grounded for two hours. Researchers reported a 2.70-fold increase in red-blood-cell zeta potential together with reduced red-blood-cell aggregation, which the authors proposed could reduce blood viscosity.
    
    
16. Metabolism, Glucose & Immune Response — 2011
    A series of experiments investigated grounding and electrolytes, glucose regulation, thyroid-related measurements and immune responses. Significant changes were reported in several measurements, although this does not establish grounding as a treatment for metabolic or thyroid conditions.
    
    
17. Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness & Recovery — 2010
    Participants performed exercise designed to cause muscle soreness and recovered either grounded or sham-grounded. Researchers observed differences in pain and several markers associated with muscle damage and inflammation, suggesting a possible effect on recovery. This was an eight-person pilot study.
    
    
18. Immediate Physiological Effects of Grounding — 2010
    A double-blind experiment involving 28 adults reported changes in measurements including respiration, blood oxygenation, pulse, skin conductance and perfusion index during grounding compared with sham grounding.
    
    
19. Grounding & Autonomic Nervous System Activity — 2007
    This follow-up study examined additional physiological effects of grounding. The researchers reported findings consistent with increased parasympathetic activity and reduced physiological stress, suggesting grounding may influence the body's autonomic nervous system and relaxation response.
    
    
20. Grounding & Changes in Human Physiology — 2006
    Researchers examined 58 healthy adults to see whether grounding produced measurable changes in human physiology. Grounding was associated with changes in electrical activity of the brain and muscles, blood-volume pulse and respiratory rate, suggesting that connecting the body to the Earth can produce measurable physiological effects.
    
    
21. Grounding & Reduction of Body Voltage — 2005
    This study tested conductive grounding patches and bed pads and found that connecting the body to Earth substantially reduced induced electrical voltage on the body. It provided early experimental evidence that grounding products can measurably change the body's electrical environment.
    
    
22. Sleep, Cortisol, Pain & Stress — 2004
    Twelve participants slept grounded for eight weeks. Researchers reported changes toward a more normalized day/night cortisol rhythm, alongside participant-reported improvements in sleep, pain and stress. The study did not include a separate sham-grounded control group.
    
    
23. Grounding, Sleep & Chronic Pain — 2000
    This early grounding experiment involved people experiencing sleep disturbances and chronic muscle or joint pain who slept on conductive mattress pads. The subsequently published review of the early work describes reported improvements in sleep quality, muscle stiffness and pain, and chronic back or joint pain among grounded participants.