Influence of electromagnetic fields on the circadian rhythm: Implications for human health and disease

2023 · Mixed · Insufficient evidence

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MixedInsufficient evidencePaper 466

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2023

Study typereview

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Influence of electromagnetic fields on the circadian rhythm: Implications for human health and disease Martel J, Chang SH, Chevalier G, Ojcius DM, Young JD. Influence of electromagnetic fields on the circadian rhythm: Implications for human health and disease. Biomed J. 2023;46(1):48-59. doi: 10.1016/j.bj.2023.01.003. Highlights • The earth's natural electromagnetic fields influence the circadian rhythm in humans. • Sunspots and seasonal weakening of the geomagnetic field can affect human health. • Seasonal geomagnetic field weakening increases infectious and chronic diseases. • Electromagnetic pollution from wireless devices can also affect circadian rhythms. • Grounding and reduction of electromagnetic pollution can produce health benefits. Abstract Living organisms have evolved within the natural electromagnetic fields (EMFs) of the earth which comprise the global atmospheric electrical circuit, Schumann resonances (SRs) and the geomagnetic field. Research suggests that the circadian rhythm, which controls several physiological functions in the human body, can be influenced by light but also by the earth's EMFs. Cyclic solar disturbances, including sunspots and seasonal weakening of the geomagnetic field, can affect human health, possibly by disrupting the circadian rhythm and downstream physiological functions. Severe disruption of the circadian rhythm increases inflammation which can induce fatigue, fever and flu-like symptoms in a fraction of the population and worsen existing symptoms in old and diseased individuals, leading to periodic spikes of infectious and chronic diseases. Possible mechanisms underlying sensing of the earth's EMFs involve entrainment via electrons and electromagnetic waves, light- dependent radical pair formation in retina cryptochromes, and paramagnetic magnetite nanoparticles. Factors such as electromagnetic pollution from wireless devices, base antennas and low orbit internet satellites, shielding by non-conductive materials used in shoes and buildings, and local geomagnetic anomalies may also affect sensing of the earth's EMFs by the human body and contribute to circadian rhythm disruption and disease development. Open access paper: sciencedirect.com

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typereview

Effect directionmixed

Populationhumans (general)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 66% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

The review discusses research suggesting that human circadian rhythms may be influenced not only by light but also by the earth's natural EMFs (global atmospheric electrical circuit, Schumann resonances, geomagnetic field). It further proposes that solar disturbances (e.g., sunspots, seasonal geomagnetic field weakening) and electromagnetic pollution from wireless technologies may contribute to circadian rhythm disruption and downstream health effects.

Outcomes measured

circadian rhythm disruption/entrainment
human health effects (infectious and chronic disease spikes)
inflammation
fatigue
fever
flu-like symptoms

Limitations

Narrative review; no methods for study selection or quality appraisal described in the provided abstract
Specific exposure metrics (frequency, intensity, duration) are not provided in the abstract
Claims about disease spikes and benefits of grounding/reducing electromagnetic pollution are not supported with quantitative results in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "earth's natural electromagnetic fields; wireless devices; base antennas; low orbit internet satellites",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "humans (general)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "circadian rhythm disruption/entrainment",
    "human health effects (infectious and chronic disease spikes)",
    "inflammation",
    "fatigue",
    "fever",
    "flu-like symptoms"
  ],
  "main_findings": "The review discusses research suggesting that human circadian rhythms may be influenced not only by light but also by the earth's natural EMFs (global atmospheric electrical circuit, Schumann resonances, geomagnetic field). It further proposes that solar disturbances (e.g., sunspots, seasonal geomagnetic field weakening) and electromagnetic pollution from wireless technologies may contribute to circadian rhythm disruption and downstream health effects.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Narrative review; no methods for study selection or quality appraisal described in the provided abstract",
    "Specific exposure metrics (frequency, intensity, duration) are not provided in the abstract",
    "Claims about disease spikes and benefits of grounding/reducing electromagnetic pollution are not supported with quantitative results in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.66,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "circadian rhythm",
    "geomagnetic field",
    "Schumann resonances",
    "global atmospheric electrical circuit",
    "sunspots",
    "seasonal geomagnetic weakening",
    "wireless devices",
    "base antennas",
    "low orbit internet satellites",
    "electromagnetic pollution",
    "cryptochromes",
    "radical pair mechanism",
    "magnetite nanoparticles",
    "grounding"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Broad discussion of EMF health implications, including wireless-device-related 'electromagnetic pollution', but no specific guideline/policy focus stated."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2023.01.003
PubMed: Not supplied

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