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Does grounding (earthing) lower inflammation?
Only a few tiny trials, mostly by grounding advocates; no solid proof it lowers inflammation.
What you hear: “Walking barefoot on grass or sleeping on a grounding mat lowers inflammation in your body.”
What the studies found
The trials are very small: one randomised 32 young men after hard squats and found a smaller rise in a muscle-damage marker with grounding, but pain was the same in both groups. Another tested 16 massage therapists and reported less pain and fatigue. The main reviews of inflammation effects are written by the researchers who run these trials and lean on animal work.
What you could do
Time outdoors and walking are good for you anyway; just don't rely on grounding products to treat inflammation or pain.
Get your longevity score and see which everyday habits make the biggest difference for you.
Not medical advice. General information from published studies, not a diagnosis or a treatment plan. Talk with your doctor before starting a supplement or changing a medicine, especially if you are pregnant, take other medicines or have a health condition.
How we judged it
Not proven: Not enough good human evidence yet, either way. We judge the claim as it is usually said online, not the habit itself. Trials assign people at random, so they can show cause; observed studies follow people and show a link, not proof. Last checked: October 2026.
The studies, in their own words
- Brown et al. Open Access J Sports Med 2015
Thirty-two healthy young men were randomly divided into grounded (n=16) and sham-grounded (n=16) groups ... Both groups experienced pain on all posttest days.
- Chevalier et al. Explore (NY) 2019
Sixteen massage therapists (mean age 42.8 years).
- Oschman et al. J Inflamm Res 2015
alert researchers that the length of time and degree (resistance to ground) of grounding of experimental animals is an important but usually overlooked factor that can influence outcomes of studies of inflammation
More claims, checked
- Not provenBlue-light-blocking glasses
- Not provenCollagen for younger skin
- Not provenDetox juices and cleanses
- Doesn't hold upSeed oils are toxic
- Doesn't hold upRaw milk
- Doesn't hold upAlkaline water and alkaline diet
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