Image created by Angela A Stanton, PhD using AI. Copyright Angela A. Stanton

The Grounding Myth: Why You Can Skip the Special Mats and Shoes

“Grounding,” also called “earthing,” is the belief that by physically connecting to the Earth (e.g., walking barefoot or using conductive mats), your body absorbs electrons from the Earth that neutralize oxidative stress, inflammation, and “imbalances” in charge. Advocates claim it improves sleep, mood, and pain. But these claims have no basis in physics, physiology, or credible scientific research.

What Grounding Actually Means (in Physics)

In electrical engineering, “grounding” refers to creating a reference voltage (typically 0 Volt) by connecting a circuit to the Earth. This allows excess charge to safely discharge, protecting electrical systems—not biological ones. The human body, which is full of conductive salt water, does not need this type of discharge for health. We do not accumulate “excess positive charge” that must be bled off through our feet. Read: Plonsey, R., & Barr, R. C. (2007). Bioelectricity: A Quantitative Approach (https://a.co/d/8xekdqF)

You’re Likely Already “Grounded”.

Cement floors, tile, plumbing, and even bathtubs are often part of a grounded structure, meaning most people indoors are already at earth potential. Barefoot on concrete: grounded. Sitting on a ceramic toilet with metal plumbing: grounded. Taking a shower in a house with copper or galvanized steel pipes: grounded. Despite this, people don’t report miraculous recoveries from standing in the kitchen or sitting on a porcelain toilet. Read Reilly, J. P., Antoni H., Chilbert M.A, and Sweeney J.D 1998 . Applied Bioelectricity: From Electrical Stimulation to Electropathology.see here: https://a.co/d/8UDfYFA

Water and Showers? You are really grounded!

Water is conductive, especially with dissolved minerals. When you’re showering or bathing, you’re likely better connected to ground than with any “grounding” product, and yet we don’t promote bathing as an anti-inflammatory treatment (except spas, who don’t claim it’s electron transfer! They should!).

What Does the Research Say?

• Several grounding advocates point to a few small studies. Most studies are uncontrolled, not blinded, and published in low-impact journals run by proponents of grounding.
• Claims about reducing cortisol, inflammation, or improving HRV are based on pseudoscientific interpretations, with no physiological mechanism for charge transfer through intact skin that affects these systems. Placebo Consideration: Benedetti, F. (2014). Placebo Effects: Understanding the
• Mechanisms in Health and Disease. see here: https://academic.oup.com/book/7924
  Even the studies often cited by grounding enthusiasts, like those by Gaétan Chevalier and James Oschman, are not recognized as rigorous or objective by mainstream medical or physiological sciences.

The Skin Barrier and Electron Transfer

• Human skin is a highly effective insulator. Sweat ducts and pores don’t allow meaningful charge transfer, and even transdermal drug delivery requires chemical enhancers or electric fields (e.g., iontophoresis).
• Electrons from the Earth don’t “leak” into the body via your feet. Reference: Barry, B. W. (2001). Novel mechanisms and devices to enable successful transdermal drug delivery. In: Hadgraft, J., & Guy, R. (Eds.), Transdermal Drug Delivery: Developmental Issues and Research Initiatives, CRC Press. read here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11500256/

Why Might Some People Feel Better?

Because of placebo and context:

• Relaxation → lower stress
• Belief in healing → dopamine and oxytocin release
• Connection with nature → calming of nervous system

Grounding Products Are a Marketing Ploy

• Grounding mats, bedsheets, shoes, wristbands—all exploit electrical terms to sell pseudoscientific wellness.
• They:
  • Are unnecessary
• Lack biological plausibility
• Use language from engineering, not medicine
• Even when plugged into the ground of an electrical outlet, these devices do not bypass the skin’s barrier to deliver health benefits.

Conclusion

• There’s no credible mechanism, no strong evidence, and no need for you to “ground” yourself with commercial devices.
• The human body does not require grounding to maintain health.
• If you enjoy lying on the ground or going barefoot—wonderful. Go for it and enjoy. But don’t believe it’s curing inflammation or channeling electrons.

Spend your energy on strategies that work, like salt, proper hydration, and addressing metabolic health through diet and rest.

Comments are welcome, as always, and are censored for appropriateness,

Angela