It seems that everyone has an opinion about EMF these days. While some raise red flags about potential concerns, others rely on outdated studies or misinformation to sweep EMF dangers under the rug.
The truth is that modern levels of EMF (due to technology) are still a relatively new occurrence in our environment. Because of this, we simply can’t know the extent to which they harm our bodies.
With that said, we have been able to collect quite a bit of evidence showing the threat EMFs have on the human body, and it’s time for us to overturn the biggest myth of all: the idea that EMFs from manmade sources are inert.
In this article, we’ll debunk some of the most common arguments that EMF nay-sayers make and uncover the truth about the dangers that are already known.
We’ll discuss:
- How manmade EMF damages cells (including the cellular mechanism behind it)
- Why Non-ionizing radiation is just as scary as ionizing radiation
- Fruit fly biology and why they serve as useful subjects in EMF research
- How one of your most frequently used devices may be causing the most damage
- The significant difference between natural and manmade EMF
- The most powerful thing you can do to mitigate EMF damage every day
5 EMF Safety Myths Debunked
Myth #1: There’s no biological mechanism for EMF damage to cells
One of the most common ways that people will gaslight about the harm of EMF is by simply stating that there’s no evidence EMFs can damage cells. This generally puts an end to the conversation, unless you’re aware of the biological mechanism by which EMF has been shown to impact cellular health.
In the most simple terms, EMFs cause damage to cells by increasing the generation of reactive oxygen species and leading to oxidative stress, but let’s dive a little deeper:
Whether you’re aware of it or not, your body is electrical in nature. As such, every cell in your body is driven by endogenous electrical currents that assist in normal biological function. One of the primary ways these electrical currents travel through your body is through voltage-gated ion channels (VGICs) that exist in every cell.
Some examples of ions that move through these channels include the electrolytes calcium, sodium, and potassium, as well as hydrogen ions. Every process in your cell requires the activity of ionic (or electrical) flow, making VGICs crucial for sustaining normal cellular function.
Now, here’s where EMF comes in.
Research shows that exposure to EMF can cause dysregulation in these voltage-gated ionic channels, disrupting their normal opening and closing and thus allowing excessive ionic compounds through the highly guarded channels[1].
This altered ionic concentration within your cells triggers the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which in turn can lead to oxidative damage and inflammation—two factors at the root of cellular aging and disease[2].
So, if the question is whether EMFs can impact your body on a cellular level, the answer is a resounding yes.
Myth #2 Non-ionizing radiation is safe
It’s well-established and accepted that ionizing radiation, the type we get from X-rays, CT scans, and nuclear exposure is highly damaging to cells[3]. This is why people wear shields when undergoing these types of medical examinations and why we steer clear of areas that have been hit by nuclear weapons.
Non-ionizing radiation, on the other hand, gets mixed-messaging, with many people claiming that it’s perfectly safe. Examples of non-ionizing radiation include manmade EMF from mobile phones, tablets, powerlines, WiFi, and Smart devices. Basically, the type of EMF that you come into contact with everyday on a regular basis.
While there is certainly a difference between ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation, the claim that non-ionizing radiation is safe is wholly unfounded.
According to EMF-biophysicist Dr. Dimitris J. Panagopoulos, “Such erroneous statements are made because some physicists and engineers confuse living tissue with inanimate matter.”
While non-ionizing radiation cannot directly damage your cells like ionizing radiation can, the biological mechanism explained in Myth #1 applies here. This means that when you’re bathing in WiFi, working on your computer or tablet, or holding your cell phone, you’re potentially interfering with the function of your VGICs (voltage-gated ion channels) and enhancing cellular oxidative stress.
As oxidative stress increases, it puts delicate cellular structures at risk—including your DNA[4].
Is ionizing radiation more harmful in a shorter time than non-ionizing? Certainly. Does this mean that non-ionizing radiation is safe? Absolutely not.
Myth #3 Fruit fly experiments aren’t relevant to humans
Many experiments that highlight the dangers of EMFs have been conducted on fruit flies, which begs the question: Are fruit flies an acceptable organism to study when considering the impact of EMFs on the human body?
EMF nay-sayers often sweep fruit fly studies under the rug, saying they’re not credible—but that couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Fruit flies (also known as Drosophila) are one of the most studied organisms in biology. Why? There are several reasons.
First, they have a short lifespan (about one month), which allows researchers to evaluate the impact of a stressor or intervention over an organism’s lifetime. This allows for the observation of systemic impacts in a short time[5].
Even more important, however, is that fruit flies’ cells are almost identical to human cells.
Dr. Dimitris J. Panagopoulos states, “They have identical types of cell membranes, proteins, ion channels, intracellular organelles, nuclei, DNA, and the same ions controlling all cellular processes.”
With VGICs being the primary target for EMF-induced dysregulation, this makes fruit flies an ideal subject.
Furthermore, fruit flies share 75% of the genes that cause human disease[6].
Myth #4 EMF from mobile phones is not strong enough to cause damage
Similar to the ionizing versus non-ionizing radiation debate, mobile phones tend to get a special halo of safety among those that defend EMF. But are cell phones really as safe as people claim?
According to the research, the opposite is true: mobile phones are actually more harmful than other types of manmade EMF, including power lines[7].
Why is it that mobile phones cause so much damage?
It’s generally assumed that EMFs from manmade devices won’t cause damage to cells because they simply don’t have enough energy to do so. In truth, however, research shows that manmade EMFs have more than enough power behind them to cause damage all the way down to your DNA.
While the mechanism is different from ionizing radiation, once again, we see the impact of EMF on VGICs and the ensuing oxidative damage. This has been confirmed in both cellular (in vitro) and lab studies (in vivo) in insects[8].
Myth #5 We’ve always been exposed to EMFs, modern exposure is no different
Now, here’s an argument that leaves a lot of people stumped—but once you know the truth, the reality becomes very clear: If EMFs occur naturally in our environment, that means all of humanity must have been exposed to EMFs since the beginning of time. Therefore, EMFs must be safe.
While it’s true that our natural environment generates electromagnetic fields, and always has, there are some significant differences between manmade and natural EMFs that make this argument fall apart at the seams.
First, all forms of manmade EMFs (including both ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation), are polarized.
What does this mean?
Polarized radiation has the ability to increase biological activity. Specifically, when radiation is polarized, it is able to disrupt your ion channels (as we’ve mentioned several times), allowing an influx of ions into cells that don’t belong there, creating oxidative damage, and you know the rest of the story[9].
Natural EMF, on the other hand, is usually not polarized. This means that its impact on the human body is either null or very slight.
Furthermore, the sheer amount of EMF from manmade sources is so high today that it simply cannot be compared to the level of naturally occurring EMF this planet has seen for millions (really, billions) of years. Mobile devices, Bluetooth, WiFi, power lines, Smart devices, and more are now a part of our EMF landscape.
And it’s not just the sources of EMF that have increased, but even more importantly, the power of these sources. While naturally occurring EMF is present in low levels throughout our environment, manmade EMF is often localized at much higher levels[10].
So yes, humans have always been exposed to sources of EMF in the natural world, but no, this is not the same type of EMF we come into contact with today. Modern EMF is much stronger and is used in more condensed areas.
What Can We Do To Mitigate EMF Exposure?
Unfortunately, avoiding manmade EMFs altogether at this point is nearly impossible. And from the way things seem to be going, it will likely only get worse before it (hopefully) gets better.
But the good news is that this doesn’t mean you have to be vulnerable to the impact of EMFs. While you may be unable to circumvent your exposure completely, you can certainly mitigate it.
Some simple ways to reduce your daily exposure include:
- Unplugging your WiFi at night while you sleep
- Putting your phone on airplane mode while you’re not using it
- Avoid using your computer or phone while they’re charging
- Avoiding Bluetooth as much as possible, especially when you’re in your car or other enclosed spaces
- Using an ethernet cable instead of WiFi
- Ditching the Smart devices for old-school versions that emit much less EMF
All these practices can help reduce the amount of WiFi you come into contact with daily.
However, you’ll still have to contend with the EMF that’s now streaming through our airways due to power lines, public spaces with WiFi, and everyone else’s portable devices.
This is where I like to bring wearable EMF mitigating technology in.
Now I know what you’re thinking; what kind of odd contraption is she about to recommend that I strut around with?
Let me ease your worries because the EMF-mitigating technology I’m talking about is not only small and compact but also beautifully elegant. It’s called the Harmoni Pendant.
I choose the Harmoni Pendant as my go-to for reducing the impacts of EMF for several reasons.
First, it’s light, wearable, and works with any outfit (I can dress it up, dress it down, or wear it under my clothes).
More importantly, however, this pendant has some compelling science behind it. In fact, research shows that wearing the Harmoni Pendant can[11]:
- Reduce some effects of stress induced by EMF by up to 48%
- Lower biological age by two years
- Enhance your body’s biofield by up to 148%
- Significantly increase energy reserves and mitochondrial power by up to 530%
- Improve heart rate variability (a key marker for stress) by an average of 700%
- And more
Wearing my Harmoni Pendant gives me peace of mind, knowing that I’m doing all I can to mitigate my exposure to harmful EMFs while simultaneously supporting my body’s natural biological processes.
Takeaway
Bringing up the dangers of EMF may not be an advisable dinner conversation, but if you find yourself in the crosshairs of an EMF-inspired argument, it may be helpful to remember that most people are simply parroting what they hear elsewhere without looking into the evidence. And the more time passes, the more evidence we see stacking up against the alleged safety of manmade EMFs.
Winning an argument may feel good, but at the end of the day, what matters most is what you’re doing to protect yourself and those you love from excessive EMF exposure. As mentioned, my go-to is the Harmoni Pendant. This small wearable not only helps to mitigate the effects of EMF but also enhances your body’s resilience to stress, which can have far-reaching benefits.
In addition, instilling other practices like those mentioned above (turning off WiFi at night, putting your phone on airplane mode, etc.) can also go a long way in reducing your daily exposure.
As we continue to uncover more truths behind the EMF mystery the hope is that more people will start to understand the very real concerns behind this type of radiation. Until then, it’s up to us to do our best to mitigate and reduce our EMF interactions as much as possible.
