As more and more people are beginning to experience mood imbalances it’s time for us to start asking; what’s really going on here?
Yes, we are more stressed today than we have been in previous years due to a number of reasons, but research shows that there may actually be something more sinister at play than societal pressures pushing our nervous systems past their limit.
Beyond the obvious factors that may increase rates of depression, anxiety, and other imbalances, there is an invisible force in our environment disrupting normal cellular function – electromagnetic fields (EMF).
EMF can impact your body in a subtle yet powerful way, and research shows that many of the imbalances produced by EMFs can directly impact your emotional wellbeing.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- Common emotional symptoms associated with EMF
- The potentially deadly impact that EMF is having on people’s wellbeing
- How EMF impacts your body on a cellular level
- Simple steps you can take to mitigate the damage of EMF
The Link Between EMFs and Emotional Issues
Due to the electrical nature of your nervous system, EMFs tend to disrupt brain and nervous system function more than any other system in your body. By producing an imbalance in the natural electrical currents that run through your body, EMF exposure has been shown to produce a range of neurological symptoms, including[1]:
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Anxiousness
- Nervousness
- Irritability
- Memory changes
- Issues with attention and focus
- Restlessness
- Headache
Even more disturbing, however, is research showing that occupational exposure to high levels of EMF is correlated with increased rates of suicide in electric utility workers[2].
What exactly is happening here? Researchers have yet to uncover a precise mechanism, but there are several ways in which EMFs may impact emotional wellbeing.
The Cellular Impact of EMFs
Depleting Neurotransmitters
One common mechanism that’s been seen in EMF exposure and emotional conditions is the depletion of the neurotransmitters serotonin, melatonin, and dopamine[3][4].
Dopamine is a primary neurotransmitter involved in major depressive disorder and is responsible for the reward system in your brain[5].
Serotonin is considered a mood stabilizer, helping you feel happy and calm. Low levels of serotonin are associated with anxiety, depression, and sleep issues[6].
Melatonin is known as the “sleep hormone.” This compound plays a crucial role in your circadian rhythm, helping you get drowsy at night allowing you to shut down your mind for restful sleep. Interestingly, beyond its role in sleep, abnormal melatonin levels are seen in a number of emotional disorders, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder[7].
Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels (VGCC) and Neurotransmitters
Voltage-gated calcium channels are proteins in the membrane of your cells that manage the homeostasis of calcium inside and outside your cells. Calcium homeostasis is vitally important to a number of physiological processes, including the regulation of neurotransmitters[1].
Research shows that one of the cellular mechanisms impacted by EMF exposure is the function of your VGCC — which occur in high densities throughout your nervous system. When VGCC are exposed to EMFs, they become hyperactive. Research shows that the excitability of VGCC can produce an excessive release of neurotransmitters involved in emotional regulation, which then produces neuropsychiatric effects in humans[8].
Impact On Circadian Rhythm
Getting enough sleep is vital for mental and emotional health. Just think about how you feel after one night of disturbed sleep – tired, fatigued, brain-fogged, and drained. And of course, if any amount of stress is added to your day, poor sleep only magnifies it and makes it feel much more unmanageable.
Research shows that EMF exposure can create changes in your circadian rhythm (your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle). As mentioned, melatonin (which is depleted by EMF) plays a vital role in your circadian rhythm, and when this hormone is out of balance due to EMF exposure, it can make it much more challenging for your brain-body to wind down at night[9].
Furthermore, there is a strong correlation between dysregulated melatonin and major depressive disorder[10].
Impact On Blood Sugar
Steady blood sugar is crucial for brain function, and research shows that abnormal blood glucose can impact glutamate, a neurotransmitter that’s associated with depression and other emotional disorders[11].
When levels of glutamate rise in your brain, it can alter connections between regions of your brain that control emotions. The result is an imbalance in mood and emotional dysregulation.
This is often seen in people with diabetes that struggle to control their blood sugar.
Research shows that EMF exposure from electrical wiring and wireless devices can impact glucose homeostasis and cause spikes in blood sugar. For people that already have a hard time managing blood sugar, this could create downstream effects that instigate glutamate dysfunction and other brain function abnormalities[12][9].
Instigation of The Inflammatory Response
Two biological processes that EMF exposure has been shown to drive are oxidative damage and inflammation. These two processes usually go hand in hand as they are modulated by the immune system and serve an important purpose when stimulated in response to injury or immune assaults[13].
Unfortunately, inflammation becomes chronic, and the damage of inflammation and oxidative stress can impact important biological systems, including neurological health.
In fact, there is an emerging theory that’s gaining relevance that links an imbalanced inflammatory response to the onset of depression. This “inflammatory theory of depression” comes from research that shows that people experiencing depressive symptoms often have higher levels of inflammatory markers, specifically neuroinflammation.
Interestingly, many of the common medications prescribed to treat depression work, in part, by lowering inflammation in the body[14].
Weakening of The Blood-Brain Barrier
The blood-brain barrier is a system of vasculature in your brain that shields it from harmful compounds and toxins. A healthy blood-brain barrier is crucial for nutrient absorption in the brain and the removal of toxic wastes[15].
Research shows that exposure to EMF may weaken this vital brain structure, allowing inflammatory compounds and toxins to cross over into your brain[16].
Therefore, when the blood-brain barrier is weak, it can make you more vulnerable to depression as well as other stressors that may instigate emotional issues[17].
Measures You Can Take To Mitigate The Impact of EMF Exposure
Although more people are becoming aware of the potential detriments of EMF, it doesn’t change the fact that EMFs are everywhere in our environment. With that being said, you can take measures to mitigate EMF exposure, starting at home.
At-Home Tool For EMF Mitigation
If you want to lower the amount of EMFs you come into contact with daily, the best place to start is where you spend most of your time – at home. Here are some at-home tips to get you started:
- Turn off your WiFi when you’re not using it (if you work from home or have a lot of Smart Devices, you can start by turning the WiFi off while you sleep).
- Put your phone on airplane mode or in a different room when you’re not using it.
- Use EMF-blocking stickers or stones on your devices to mitigate some of the EMF being emitted.
- Avoid wireless headphones as much as possible, and when using wired headphones, go for air-tube headphones.
- If you have a home office, limit the number of wireless devices you have in your space (printer, fax machine, etc.)
- Unplug electronics when you’re not using them.
- Switch out your Smart Meter for a manual reader.
EMF-Protection On-The-Go
Making your home a safer environment is essential to lowering your EMF exposure. However, an EMF-free home isn’t going to do you much good when you have to go out to the mall, the office, a coffee shop, or anywhere else where EMF may be streaming.
This is where wearable EMF-mitigating devices come in.*
Personally, I never leave home with my Harmoni Pendant. The Harmoni Pendant is an EMF mitigating necklace that supports your body and energy field no matter where you go. What I love about the Harmoni Pendant is that it not only helps to balance my energy, but it also works to mitigate emotional stress.*
In fact, a study conducted on the Harmoni Pendant showed that participants wearing the pendant experienced an increase in heart rate variability – a marker for resilience against emotional and physical stress. I don’t know anyone that couldn’t benefit from that kind of support these days.
Takeaway
Having emotional ups and downs is a part of life, but when they become chronic, it’s time to look at your environment and ask yourself, why can’t I get myself out of this funk? With all of the research pointing to the harmful effects of EMF, it may be time to make some changes in your energetic environment.
If you’ve been feeling low, anxious, or otherwise “not like yourself,” it may be that your environment is working against you. The good news is that you can take steps to mitigate the effects of EMF and start feeling like yourself again.
Of course, this is not to say that you shouldn’t seek support from a healthcare professional. If you have been struggling with mood or emotional issues, it’s vitally important that you get the care you need. However, in conjunction with professional care, be sure to take measures to clean up your environment so that you can feel supported on all levels.
*These statements have not been reviewed by the FDA. The Harmoni Pendant is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, reverse, or prevent any disease or mental health issue. It is not intended to replace any other treatments, medication, or healing modalities that may be prescribed by your medical doctor.
