Do Grounding Mats Provide Mind-Body Wellness Benefits?

The science behind grounding mats is a bit of a mixed bag, but they're thought to help with managing stress, pain, and more.

Something as simple as taking off your shoes and standing in the grass to reap health benefits might sound too good to be true — even meditation requires a certain amount of effort to gleam results — but, there is some evidence that shows simply standing on the earth with bare feet, can have real improvements on how the body manages stress, anxiety, and even inflammation and autoimmune disorders. Enter: grounding — a practice that can be completed in the comfort of your home using a grounding mat or out in nature without supplemental tools.

Grounding, also known as earthing, is the theory that the human body coming into direct contact with the Earth’s surface results in positive side effects.

"The Earth is like a battery," says Step Sinatra, a writer, healer, and co-founder of grounded.com. "High up in the ionosphere is where the Earth is positively charged and, on the surface, the charge is negative. The human body is also a battery." Essentially, when you directly connect to the earth, you tap into the natural rhythmic pulsations flowing through and emanating through the earth's surface, explains Step.

Though studies on the practice are limited, individuals have reported several potential benefits of grounding. From reduced fatigue and pain to improved sleep and stress reduction, there are many anecdotal reports on the benefits of grounding.

A 2015 research study in the Journal of Inflammation Research on the effects of grounding for inflammation, immune response, wound healing, and the prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disease found that these conditions were improved by grounding. Keep in mind, the number of participants in these studies is extremely small.

One 2011 study by Gaétan Chevalier, Ph.D. and Stephen T. Sinatra, M.D., found that after observing 27 participants, those who participated in man-made grounding methods (specifically, placing adhesive electrode patches on their hands and feet) for 40 minutes had improvements in heart rate variability (HRV) after grounding. This translated to a slower heart rate and reduced anxiety and stress. The study authors concluded that "grounding appears to be one of the simplest [yet] most profound interventions for helping reduce cardiovascular risk and cardiovascular events."

If that bold promise gives you pause, your skepticism is understandable.

"Electromagnetic grounding has no role in a positive physiologic change in the body," explains Satjit Bhusri, M.D., F.A.C.C., founder of Upper East Side Cardiology. "The only true example of human grounding is lightning striking the body and using it as a condition to ground to the earth. I would be highly cautious with experimental electricity transmission as a means to a positive impact on health."

Still, Anup Kanodia, M.D., M.P.H., I.F.M.C.P., founder of Kanodia M.D., has an alternative theory. "A couple of hundred years ago there were no cell phones, Wi-Fi, all this electricity, and various things that give off positive electrons, and our body isn't used to that," he says. "I think our body is more used to being in grass, on earth, barefoot — so we made this rapid environmental change to the body which can lead to, for some people, more inflammation, higher stress markers, worse blood flow, or decreased HRV. Standing on the earth barefoot probably does discharge some of the positive electrons that the body is accumulating. That's why many people feel better around the ocean or beach."

Divya Kannan, Ph.D., the lead psychologist at Cure.fit, a digital health and fitness company that aims to make fitness goals and mental health visits more accessible, also recommends grounding to patients — namely those who have experienced anxiety, trauma, PTSD, and flashbacks. "As per what I've observed with my patients, even a few minutes of this practice can help an individual come out of a flashback," says Kannan. "I encourage my clients to practice this as often as they can or when they feel anxious or zoned out."

If climate or lifestyle doesn't make it easy for you to practice grounding outside in the traditional sense, there is a way for you to mimic the effects indoors. A grounding mat is designed to provide the effects of grounding outdoors by plugging into the ground port of a home outlet. Keep in mind, you're not plugging into an electrical outlet, but rather electrons from the earth passed through the ground wire of the home.

Grounding mats come in many forms. In addition to mats, you can find grounding sleep pads, patches, pillowcases, sheets, yoga mats, blankets, socks, and more. So you can practice grounding while you’re sleeping, working, or exercising.

Don't worry, most grounding mats come with instructions on how to find the ground port of your home. A grounding mat should be "a non-toxic, mostly carbon-based [mat] that looks like a big mouse pad," says Step. "When you touch your skin directly to it, it's almost as if you're touching the earth. The mat is conductive, and it's also connected directly to the earth if you set it up correctly. You can plug it into an outlet that only touches the ground wiring in your home or apartment."

Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your grounding mat when determining how and for how long to use it. Step recommends practicing it consistently for the best results. "Studies have shown that benefits happen immediately, yet for measurable effects, 30-45 minutes is advised," adds Step.

While earthing or grounding in nature does not present many risks, there are a few safety concerns associated with grounding mats and similar indoor grounding products. If you have an any underlying health conditions, be sure to consult with your healthcare provider before using a grounding mat.

Grounding mats plug into the ground port of an electrical outlet, so there shouldn't be a risk of electrical shock with the product. However, before plugging a grounding mat into an electrical outlet you should check the outlet with a multimeter or electrical outlet tester to confirm that the outlet is wired correctly and there is no electricity at the ground port. It’s also important to check the mat itself for any signs of a loose connection. Follow the manufacturer’s guidance for how to use your grounding mat safely and correctly.