Are Negative Ions Good for You? Exploring the Science Behind Atmospheric Ions
Normally, I’d dismiss such a question out of hand. In fact, that’s exactly what I did when a friend brought it up about a month ago. But he was insistent; he said, “No, this is for real, there’s science behind it.” And so I looked into it and found that there are literally hundreds of published peer-reviewed scientific studies on the biological effects of ions. This body of research begins about a century ago and continues to the present day. And this is just a fraction of it.
Now, these studies aren’t just about any old ions; they’re about atmospheric ions or air ions. Although the results are not uniform, they all begin with the premise that positive ions make us feel bad and negative ions make us feel good. So, in this blog post, I want to get to the bottom of this.
What Are Atmospheric Ions?
Atmospheric ions are simply atoms or molecules that have gained or lost an electron. If it loses an electron, it becomes a positive ion. If it gains an electron, it becomes a negative ion. But here’s the thing: unlike charges attract. So, moving about in the atmosphere, you’d expect the positive and negative ions to find each other and then neutralize.
However, as it turns out, there are some processes that are constantly generating atmospheric ions. For example, cosmic rays are highly energetic particles from across the universe that slam into our atmosphere and transfer their energy to the air, creating ions in the process. Cosmic rays are thought to create around 500 ions per cubic centimeter at ground level. On land, other sources of ionization include natural radioactivity from isotopes of uranium and thorium and their decay products, which can contribute hundreds up to many thousands of ions per cubic centimeter.
Sources of Negative Ions
There are other natural sources of negative ions. For instance, thunderstorms generate copious amounts of ions with each lightning strike. Perhaps one of the more surprising sources of negative ions is waterfalls. As water droplets collide with each other or with wetted surfaces with high velocity, the water molecules create this electrified spray with negative ions that can be transferred to the air around it. Depending on your distance from the waterfall, ion levels can reach tens of thousands of ions per cubic centimeter. The same effect occurs with ocean waves crashing on shore.
Testing the Claims: Himalayan Salt Lamps
Himalayan salt lamps are often marketed as devices that release negative ions into the air, purportedly making you feel good. The heat from the light bulb is said to release negative ions that you breathe in, producing serotonin in the body. But does it really work?
We used a technique involving mass spectrometry to measure negative ions coming off a Himalayan salt lamp. The results showed that the lamp produced no detectable negative ions. The energy required to liberate chloride ions from the salt lattice is too high, so it just doesn’t happen. Interestingly, there are crystals like tourmaline that, when heated, can produce ions. However, tourmaline is quite expensive, making it impractical for everyday use.
Scientific Evidence on Negative Ions and Health
Scientists have been studying the effects of negative ions on human health for nearly a century. In one study, people suffering from seasonal affective disorder were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: bright light therapy, high concentrations of negative ions, or low concentrations of negative ions. They found that both bright light therapy and high-density negative ions independently produced antidepressant effects, but not low-density negative ions.
In another study, participants in a high-density negative ion environment had significantly faster reaction times and reported being more energetic than those in an ambient air control. EEG experiments showed people exposed to high-density negative ions had a slower alpha wave frequency with higher amplitude, indicating increased relaxation and alertness.
Real-World Applications
An air ionizer was fitted to the air-conditioning unit in an office building and periodically turned on and off over 12 weeks. When the ionizer was pumping out negative ions, workers reported 50% fewer headaches, increased alertness, perceived atmospheric freshness, and environmental and personal warmth.
However, generating clean negative ions is challenging. Devices like ionic air purifiers can produce negative ions but also generate ozone as a by-product, which is harmful at high concentrations. The research on the benefits of negative ions is inconsistent, with some studies showing no significant difference in mood and performance. A meta-analysis from 2013 concluded there was “no consistent influence of positive or negative air ionization on anxiety, mood, relaxation, sleep, and personal comfort measures.” The only link found was between negative air ionization and lower depression scores, though more research is needed to evaluate the biological plausibility of this association.
Conclusion: Should You Care About Negative Ions?
Fundamentally, the idea that ions have any biological effect is implausible. Even with tens of thousands of ions, the amount is insignificant, not even one part per billion. There’s no reason to suspect that extra electrons would do anything significant. If ions do anything, it would likely be indirectly by removing pollutants and odors from the air.
If you’re looking for a way to improve your mental and physical health backed by strong scientific evidence, consider taking a walk outside. Exercise is proven to boost your mood, and as an added bonus, you’ll get some fresh air. Walk near a waterfall or the ocean if you like, but the exercise itself is what will make a difference.
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