12 Common Symptoms of EMF Sensitivity You May Not Know About

You may have heard that electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are the cause of symptoms like cancer, insomnia, and fatigue, but are you aware of other symptoms before chronic and acute illnesses crop up?

Many symptoms can occur if you are always exposed to electromagnetic field radiation. To keep this article concise, it will focus on the seven most common health problems.

What Are Electromagnetic Fields?

Electromagnetic fields are areas of energy that surround electronic devices. Electric fields are created by differences in voltage and magnetic fields are created when the electric current flows.

We are affected because our human bodies also have their own electric and biochemical responses (e.g., nervous system, digestion, brain function, heart function). So exposure to artificial EMFs interacts with your body in harmful ways.

Why are more people sensitive to EMFs?

We have been using EMF-emitting devices for some time now in telecommunications, construction, healthcare, and many other industries.

However, the rise of the Internet in the late 1990s drastically changed. The technology boom revealed a new world of possibilities, and devices, that became readily available at our fingertips and nearly always our companion in our pockets and bags, and surrounding us at home!

More antennas are installed across the landscape to enable wireless communications, as personal electronic devices became popular.

Who doesn’t have a laptops, mobile phones, SMART TVs, SMART vacuums....

How prevalent is EMF sensitivity?

the prevalence rates of IEI-EMF have varied worldwide [6,7,8,9,10,11,12]. A survey in California reported a prevalence rate of 3.2% [12], and another in Switzerland reported a prevalence rate of 5%. A review of the literature revealed that Taiwan had the highest prevalence rate of 13.3% (in 2007) [7].

Regardless of how prevalent a diagnosis is, people who experience symptoms may find it severe enough to hinder their daily activities and find it difficult to maintain social and familial relationships.

What are common symptoms of EMFs exposure?

1. Nervous system symptoms, like sleep (insomnia) or similar sleep disturbances, which, in turn, can lead to chronic fatigue.

Probably the most common symptom that indicate exposure to the electromagnetic field. It is caused by the constant exposure to cell phones that we carry around with us during the day and next to us when we go to bed.

Neurological conditions that affect your brain and nervous system also affect your ability to keep healthy sleep patterns.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is linked to chronic low-level exposure to extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields (EMFs).

2. Dizziness, low / high blood pressure

Prolonged EMF exposure causes several changes in how your body reacts to or produces insulin.

Insulin is one of the key hormones that your body uses to keep your blood sugar levels in check. When insulin is affected, for example by EMFs, your cells cannot absorb glucose effectively, leadings to imbalances in glucose levels.

When we plugged in wireless devices, I was dizzy the moment the prongs of the device kit the socket. I changed out as many electronics that my husband would let me. We still have e cordless landlines and they say they are worse than cell phones. Have a cell phone but keep it off 80% of the time. I also have fainted in crowds pf people. — personal account

Click here to learn how EMF affects insulin in at least two ways— direct and indirect.

3. Skin symptoms, like facial prickling, burning sensations and rashes

Although these skin reactions mostly occur in the face or the upper arms of the patients, it can also occur nearly anywhere on the body. Skin-related sensations can include burning, prickling, and itching.

4. Body symptoms, like pains and aches in your muscles; Heart palpitations

Artificial Electromagnetic fields overstimulate the sympathetic nervous system. One of the things that result from this sympathetic nervous system is heart palpitations (irregular heartbeats), which can be an early signal that your stress response is in override

5. Eye symptoms, such as burning sensations

6. Foggy thinking and depression

EMF radiation can affect the blood-brain barrier, which affects cognitive and memory skills. It even rapidly depletes your levels of concentration.

7. Ear, nose, and throat symptoms

For example, tinnitus is a debilitating illness where the patient continually hears sounds such as hissing, roaring, thudding, clicking

8. Digestive disorders

Our nervous system sends signals by transmitting electrical impulses during digestion of food substances which can be affected by EMF sensitivity.

Specialist Dr. Neil Nathan says that EMF sensitivity looks like mast cell activation (an allergic disorder), with symptoms including flushing, sweating, palpitations, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt links EMFs to “loss of zest” issues including depression, insomnia, fatigue, and senses of tingling, numbness, and vibration.

Healing from EMF exposure

These artificial EM fields as energetic stress/pollution that disturbs people's energy fields. Healing therapies and tools can help repair and restore healthy energy pattern, but you need to remove or neutralize the stress-inducing electromagnetic pollution as much as you can.

Learn to identify the sources of EMFs around you. There are consumer models of electric / magnetic meter model, such as a wireless radiation detector, microwave reader, for WiFi and smart meters have a wide range of price.

References and resources

1. Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt - Smart Meters & EMR - The Health Crisis Of Our Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PktaaxPl7RI

Do you see these symptoms in yourself or your loved ones? Regularly? With seemingly no discernible reason or pattern? Get in touch with me for a free discovery chat about EMFs may be affecting your health and wellness, especially at home.

Blue Light Causes Precocious Puberty

A study from Turkey found a direct relationship between blue light exposure and early puberty.

Blue light from LEDs has been linked to precocious puberty. Blue light from electronic devices could contribute to precocious puberty. Whereas previously, humans were mostly exposed to blue light from the sun, these days, we receive blue light exposure at night from our various electronic devices.

This exposure might inhibit the production of melatonin, which could then lead to precocious puberty.

This article highlights it as one of the factors for increased reports of precocious puberty during the lockdowns for the pandemic.

The study

To examine if the rise in reports of precocious puberty has links to the elevated use of blue light emitting devices during the period, researchers from Ankara Bilkent City Hospital and Gazi University in Turkey analyzed the effect of blue light exposure on the testicular tissue of young male rats.

In the study, published in the Frontiers in Endocrinology journal, researchers examined 18 female mice after dividing them into three equal groups:

1. a control group,

2. a group with exposure to blue light for six hours,

3. and a group with blue light exposure for 12 hours.

Blue light triggered signs of early onset puberty

The researchers found these biological changes: reduced melatonin levels, elevated reproductive hormones (estradiol and luteinizing hormone) and physical changes in the ovarian tissues of the rats exposed to blue light, indicating an early onset of puberty.

Those rats exposed to blue light for 12 hours showed signs of cell damage and inflammation in their ovaries.

This study adds to the researchers’ previous work on female rats, which also showed similar effects.

Blue light kills melatonin levels

A study presented on September 16 at the 60th Annual European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology Meeting found exposure to blue light to be associated with decreased levels of melatonin, increased levels of two major reproductive hormones (estradiol and luteinizing hormone), and changes in ovarian tissue that may be indicative of early onset of puberty in females.

In fact, changes occurred even after just six hours of exposure to blue light, which is really not that long. How many of us sit inside LED-lit offices and schools for hours daily?

What is blue light?

Blue light has the shortest wavelength and highest energy in the light spectrum. The strong energy of blue light is what allows it to pass easily through the cornea and lens of our eyes.

Blue light, especially the higher energy visible light from digital devices, has been increasingly recognised as hazardous over the past decade.

While some blue light exposure is inevitable with digital lifestyles, research is growing to show how it is harming our health, from damage to the eyes and disruption to healthy circadian rhythms and hormones.

How blue light affects our biological processes is becoming an increasingly important health issue as humans are exposed to more blue-enriched LED illumination for most of the day, or even at night due to shift work and light pollution in large cities.

Did the pandemic accelerate precocious puberty?

During the pandemic, rates of precocious puberty increased in many countries, sometimes by three-fold. Researchers identified possible reasons for the phenomenon, including sedentary indoor lifestyles.[3]

References

https://www.medicaldaily.com/exposure-blue-light-smartphones-tablets-may-trigger-early-onset-puberty-470876

[3] https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-modern-heart/202311/9-ways-the-pandemic-may-have-led-to-precocious-puberty

Healing Sleep—Top Tools and Practices

Quality sleep isn’t only a luxury option. It is a cornerstone of health. By managing your light and sensorial environment and going for optimal comfort, you can rejuvenate yourself and enjoy better sleep.

Sleep is healing

Your body has an amazing, self-rejuvenating ability to repair itself while it sleeps. It has its own internal electrical system that functions with weak electrical impulses. 

You can amplify your body’s natural tendency to rest, recuperate, and heal by making space to support it.

Use tools that help your body relax and release daily stresses and anxieties. Keep your space clear of environmental pollutants for an undisturbed sleep. 

Quit the social jet lag

Most people live discordant day/night cycles that have them feeling perpetually jet lagged, and their hormones deranged.

Sleep is a powerful time to reset your cycles. By extension, your bedroom is the most important room for your to regain your optimal health.

You will wake up actually feeling refreshed and ready for your day. 

Chances are you already have these tools on hand. Make them part of your daily routine to begin reaping the health benefits of better sleep. 

Here are some ideas.  

1. The power of water 

Taking a bath at the end of the day is a classic relaxing habit. Many studies show the health benefits of this simple habit:

• increasing blood circulation

• joints and muscles relax 

• a moderated water pressure massages your whole body 

• lowering core body temperature which helps deepen sleep 

This last benefit is an intriguing one. A warm bath helps “open” or dilate blood vessels, increasing circulation. This helps the body release extra heat energy, in effect lowering your body temperature. 

Many cultures have bathing habits and rituals, usually before bedtime. Even if you don’t a bathtub, a good shower can provide similar effects. 

Top tools and practices to harness the power of water for sleep:

• Berkey Water filter — remove fluoride and contaminants

• Natural Loofah Bath mitts

• Bath salts—Epsom salts 

2. Aromatherapy and Incense 

Have you ever had memories triggered just by smelling particular smells? Called the “Proust effect”, it is perhaps the most primal of senses, smell holds surprising sway over cognition, emotion and even other senses.

When a smell is detected, the olfactory neurones passes information to the limbic system that comprises a set of structures within the brain that are regarded by scientists as playing a major role in controlling mood, memory, behaviour and emotion.

Aromatherapy can be a profound resource for revitalising your energy, soothing the spirit, and bringing harmony and tranquility to your body’s energy centers. using natural plant extracts for therapeutic healing promotes the total well-being of your mind, body, and spirit.

Top tools and practices to harness the power of aromatherapy for sleep:

• Glass diffuser — Choose a location for your diffuser where it’ll be near you throughout the day. 

• Essential oils 

3. Set up your bed space

This part is less of a habit, and more of a one-time investment. Bite the bullet to set up a truly Tox-free space that supports your circadian rhythms.

Toss any toys, pillows, cushions, and lounge furniture made with harmful materials, from flame retardants to hormone mimicking materials.

Opt for healthier materials — it is an inexpensive way to reduce exposures to toxic chemicals indoors, which is where we spend most of our time.

Keeping the bed minimal helps better sleep by simply removing the stress of having to straighten it all up in the morning (and during the night)!

It reduces dust mites, which are microscopic arachnids that feed on the dead skin cells we shed while we sleep.

It also reduces estrogenic dust, basically indoor dust that mimics sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone in human cells!

Top tools and practices to set up the best sleep space:

• Organic mattress and pillow protectors

• Wet sponge mop

• Blue blockers glasses

• Blackout natural linen curtains

4. Wear natural sleepwear

Clothes are your second skin (the first is our own skin). Natural materials, such as linen and cotton, breathe and regulate temperature better, and are moisture-wicking.

Best sleepwear:

• Linen pyjamas

• slippers— filled with all-natural French lavender

5. Eliminate artificial EMFs

When it comes to invisible electromagnetic fields, you have to find and measure it, and then fix it.

If you cannot engage a professional Building Biologist, you can still reduce your exposure by eliminating possible sources.

In the typical sleeping area, electrical exposure from external sources (live electrical wiring in ceilings, walls and floors) is thousands of times stronger than the body’s own electrical system. Long-term exposure to these high level electric fields can impair the body’s ability to communicate within itself and impact health.

We spends about 1/3 of our life sleeping.

Night after night in such elevated levels of electricity, you may experience symptoms such as: headaches, hyperactivity, nightmares, depression, fatigue, eyestrain, and muscle cramps.

Ways to reduce artificial EMFs:

• Battery-powered clocks, instead of electric clocks

• EMF Kill Switch — Turn off bedroom-affecting circuits

• Bed canopy — Eliminate, minimise, or shield from RF

• Metal-free bed 

• EMF detector

6. Sleep on biological bed linen

Just like the bed clothes you sleep in, all natural, organic bed sheets help regulate temperature and balance your body’s electromagnetic field.

Avoid synthetics that contribute to estrogenic dust and electrical imbalances.

Weighted blankets work wonders for those who struggle with anxiety and restlessness. Some, like this, offer a 7-layer design and glass bead filling to provide body temperature control.

Natural and organic bedding:

• Linen bedsheets made to order

7. Space to daydream 

Ideally you have used the other tools to discharge the stresses of the day.

This habit is a little more personal than the others, as you can choose any item and area in your room that helps you enter a daydream state. This is a brainwave state where your brain naturally winds down from active beta waves to theta and, ideally, into delta.

Even if we had a fantastic day, our brain still likes to go over any possible hiccups—just in case. It’s doing exactly what it ought to, which is to look out on your behalf, relentlessly combing over every detail received during the day in an effort to prepare for the worst. You can never be truly refreshed in the morning if your mind is cycling negative thoughts and scenarios all night. 

However, we want to turn off this dooms-prepping during the night. One effective way is to be proactive to impress upon the subconscious positive thoughts. 

Top tools and practices to make space for the best dreams:

• Gratitude Journal 

• Planner 

• Tuning fork 

• Sound bowl 

• Tatami mat with natural rush (no foam)

• Metal-Free AirTubes

Have you used any of these items for better sleep? What are some of your favourite bedtime habits and practices? Share your tips and experiences #bettersleep #spacetoheal

Quick EMF Detectors—And A DIY EMF Detector

As long as you are in a modern society, using electricity and the Internet, you are being exposed to the invisible cloud of energy called artificial electromagnetic fields, or EMFs.

In Europe, this invisible pollution has been termed “electrosmog” to describe the pervasive electrical pollution that many of us live in. These areas of energy are invisible but real, and you’re exposed to them anytime that you are around flowing electricity.

You may be entirely unaware that you are surrounded by dense electrosmog or electropollution, as it is not visible like air or water pollution. Yet its effects are proving extremely costly, especially amongst children and the most vulnerable.

There is no standardised safety standards or regulations that countries follow, so it is entirely up to you and you alone to ensure that your home environment is safe.

Hidden Electrosmog Dangers at Home 

Electrosmog can be generated by many sources in your own living space: 

• Your neighbour’s refrigerator behind the wall you sleep against

• Wi-Fi laptops in the living room programmed to download movies (public domain, of course) during the night

• Your electric comforter keeping your warm and toasty

• Your air-conditioning keeping you cool

• Any cellular phone or Wi-Fi provider for a transmission mast on your roof

• The induction appliances and stove that you use for cooking

• Your mobile phone alarm set for the morning and positioned strategically within arm's reach on the night table

Click here to read more about the four main types of electromagnetic fields most commonly found at home and how they impact health. 

The Bioinitiative Report is a 650+ report documenting adverse health effects of artificial electromagnetic fields. Since 2007, it has chronicled over 2,000 scientific studies and reviews on EMFs.  

Quick DIY EMF detectors

You can Make A DIY EMF Meter (Detector)

It is easy if you want a meter to simply detect artificial EMFs.

This is one great idea that I saw going around on videos on YouTube. It wasn’t until I saw my children playing around with their mini compasses that I realised it could work as a very basic EMF detector.

Briefly: You just need a simple compass. (See Lazada) 

This DIY EMF detector simply makes us aware of the presence of an electromagnetic field. Note that this is not an EMF meter in the traditional sense. It does not give a reading of how much, or which type(s) of EMF radiation is being detected. 

Using a compass to detect EMFs will only detect electric and magnetic fields. It will not detect radio frequencies, or wireless radiation, which can be damaging. 

What this DIY emf detector will be great is a quick determination of whether there are EMFs in your area, and which direction they are coming from. This is helpful as you are moving around your home and trying to find out where there is strong EMF radiation.

Do “EMF detector apps” work?

The principle of the compass is similar to how EMF detector apps do “work”. Some phones and apps are capable of harnessing the magnetometers on the phone to give you a magnetic field radiation reading.

However, these magnetometers will often pick up on the earth’s magnetic field, as well as the phones, so again the reading is unlikely to be accurate.

As phones communicate using radio frequency, an app can harness this to know when it is picking up other radio frequencies foreign from its own communications and display a reading.

The app thus shows a spike in the reading when you approach something such as your WiFi router, or a cell phone that is making a phone call, or even your laptop.

Given we want to reduce any artificial EMFs, I do not recommend using your wireless device to try to detect EMFs.

For those who want to tackle a more complex DIY project to detect EMFs, coolmagnetman has an enormous guide on the details of how to do this. You can check out his instructions for building a DIY gauss meter here.

The DIY guide at https://www.coolmagnetman.com/magmeter.htm

What To Get If You Don’t Want To Make a Do It Yourself EMF Meter

Now you know EMF may be a real threat in your space and you are serious about wanting to reduce dangerous EMF radiation in your home or office. 

I always recommend a quality EMF meter for anyone.

I like the TriField TF2 if you can afford it, as it’s simple to use, lasts forever, is extremely accurate, and measures all three types of EMF radiation (electric, radio, and magnetic). 

I also like the Acoustimeter which measures radio frequency / microwave radiation (200 MHz – 8.0 GHz).

It is lightweight, yet a sturdy and versatile meter. Mine has served me well for almost a decade now.

I always take my Accousimeter along with me on trips to quickly assess hotel rooms and areas where my family are spending a lot of time in. It gives discreet colour indications and clear audio feedback based on which frequencies it is picking up.

For a not-always-hands free mother juggling a bunch of things, has been highly fun and education for the children to learn too. They get to do EMF sleuthing with this meter, during interminable airport queues, waiting areas, around hotel rooms, etc…

If you’re looking for a low cost digital meter the Erickhill EMF Meter is a new addition to the market, and at a good price. As concern and demand grow, I’m confident we will see more and better EMF detectors and measuring tools for consumers on the market.

See my quick guide to popular EMF meters here.

Check out documentaries to learn more about EMFs and how to safeguard your health.

EMF Quick Guide: Learn about the various types of EMFs and the research

If you want to eliminate wireless frequencies at home completely, take the #greatwiredchallenge

Get in touch with me to prepare a safe home for both mother and child.

Are you getting your own EMF meter? Let me know! Share this article with those you think will benefit from this.

The Building Biology Guide to Gifts For Children

If you are a parent, navigating the latest shiny toys vying for your attention, sleuthing behind the marketing, and understanding what’s truly best for your growing child can be daunting. 

Choose presents that consider the whole and healthy development of your child. Why? For one thing, it helps you make a wish list that will ensure you’re supplying your kids, and filling your space, with things you actually want.

After all, the statistics are not looking good for an increasingly digital, indoor generation.

The gifting season also marks a time of new beginnings. Choosing gifts offers a great opportunity to reflect on your lifestyle and living spaces and to support your children’s natural development.

Read on for building biology tips how to choose presents that support biological development, focusing on the younger age groups 0-3 years old. 

When you’re buying a gift…

Avoid Any devices with a Screen 

Children’s brains are at critical developmental stages, especially under three. Any time spent on a screen impairs the neuronal installation process. There is a big body of research already linking screen time to under developed brains such as the all-important pre frontal cortex necessary for executive function (the part that tells you what’s best to do and how to plan ahead).

The American Paediatric Association recommends zero screen time for children under two. 

Do your family and friends a favour, and just avoid giving screen-based gifts. 

Avoid Any devices with only Wireless Connection 

Radio frequency radiation is particularly linked to brain and gut issues, which are at critical stages of development in children.

Children are incredibly sensitive to artificial electromagnetic fields due to their small body weight and thinner skulls. Any device in their hands or near them should be hard wired. Skip over those toys, tablets, speakers, and radios that are Bluetooth only. 

Avoid Any item that has known toxins 

Check painted cups and toys for lead. Overly plush polyester toys that contribute to estrogenic dust in your child’s bedroom. 

Now that we’ve gotten those out of the way, explore these options:

Wooden educational toys

More than an aesthetic favourite. Non toxic and natural materials offer a lush and safe sensory experience.

Things made from nature, instead of say plastic, also have an inherent vitality that our body can sense. 

High quality toys from natural materials will be valued and loved, possibly earning a permanent place in your home!

Click here to learn more about natural materials for children. 

• Bauspiel — another great example, crafted from native beeches and alder. 

• PlanToys — designed to mix and match

Blocks give endless open-ended play  

Wooden building blocks are a classic and aesthetic gift that is essential for any child. Blocks allow open ended play, so that children can explore freely. 

Support your child’s independence with Montessori objects

Children love exploring their environment. Offer toys that being able to “master” skills. Montessori-aligned toys and objects are play based and encourage independent exploration. 

• Play silks — check out these playful batik play silks

• Lego bricks 

• Barn toys Melissa & Dough 

• Animals Schleich 

• Embroidery for kids

• Non toxic beeswax crayons by Eco Kids

Go for outdoors

Adventure gifts are always fun, even adults will enjoy them. Build your coolest collection of ideas for the outdoors.

Encourage natural movement 

The more your child moves, the more the body is primed to respond and grow.

For toddlers, a Pikler triangle is a great way of encouraging your kid to learn climbing in a safe place.

• Bow and arrow set from Decathlon 

• Bamboo outdoor and indoor climbing sets from Bamboo Baby Bravo

Create a landing space 

We’re familiar with the idea (and Instagram) of a play space, but children enjoy gaining independence and skills too. Hooks and cubbies where kids can put away their shoes and backpacks immediately when they walk in the door.

It looks tidy. Even better, it’s an way way to foster a sense of home for your child, as they organise, plan, and even play in these spaces.

Social games

Even generic board games can give lots of fun, especially when it involves friends and family.

Some examples of such items here:

• Educational Letter Puzzle

• Cup and Ball Game

• Classic Jacob’s Ladder

• Outdoor Discovery Set

• Fidget Cube (great replacement for a plastic fidget spinner!)

• Wooden camera

• Wooden Slide Whistle

• Wooden Harmonica

• Wooden Eggs

Putting it all together 

We want the best for our children, and gifting takes on a whole meaning when we consider how things are supporting or hindering their potential. 

These gifts offer the gift of open ended play in connection with Nature, letting your child’s best biological potential unfold. 

Healthy homes help make healthy kids

At the end of the day, you (i.e., mum and dad!) will be the one picking up after the children. This is not only literal — I’ve sorted hundreds of Lego’s, unpeeled stickers out of hair, and retrieved items from body parts…

If an item or a toy isn’t serving your child’s best interest, you’re adding to your own load as parent. 

Happy shopping! 

Study: Dangerous levels of metal toxicity in clothing

Metals are used to make clothing and textile products in many processes, such as:

• metal complex dye (cobalt, copper, chromium, lead),

• pigments,

• mordant (chromium),

• catalyst in synthetic fabrics manufacture (antimony oxide),

• synergists of flame retardants (Sb2O3), antimicrobials (nanoparticles of silver, titanium oxide and zinc oxide),

• water repellents, and;

• odour-preventive agents

When we wear these metals on our skin, our body’s largest organ, heavy metals may mean a potential danger to human health.

The study

The researchers analysed clothes made of different materials, colours, and brands.

The results

Different materials in darker dyes have different levels of metals. The researchers found high levels of Cr in polyamide dark clothes (605 mg/kg), high Sb concentrations in polyester clothes (141 mg/kg), and great Cu levels in some green cotton fabrics (around 280 mg/kg).

Significantly lower concentrations of Al and Sr were found in “eco” clothes,.

No significant differences were observed in branded and unbranded clothing pieces.