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Research Guide

Understanding Electrohypersensitivity (EHS)

What the research tells us about electromagnetic sensitivity

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Electrohypersensitivity (EHS) — also called electromagnetic sensitivity, microwave syndrome, or electrosensitivity — describes a condition where individuals report symptoms they attribute to electromagnetic field exposure. While the condition remains scientifically contested, the symptoms experienced by those affected are real and deserve serious attention.

What is Electrohypersensitivity?

Definition

Electrohypersensitivity (EHS) is a self-reported sensitivity to electromagnetic fields, characterized by a range of non-specific symptoms that individuals attribute to EMF exposure. The condition goes by several names including electromagnetic sensitivity, microwave syndrome, and electrosensitivity.

Common Symptoms Reported

  • Headaches and migraines
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Skin sensations (tingling, burning)
  • Dizziness
  • Heart palpitations
  • Memory problems

Prevalence

Estimates suggest 3-10% of the population reports some degree of electromagnetic sensitivity, with higher rates observed in some European countries like Sweden and Germany. These statistics are based on self-reported symptoms, as there is no clinical diagnostic test for EHS.

Recognition Status

  • Sweden: Recognized as a functional impairment, entitling affected individuals to workplace accommodations
  • WHO: Acknowledges that symptoms are real but does not recognize EMF as the proven cause
  • United States: Not recognized as a formal medical diagnosis, but EHS does have ICD-10 billing codes recognized by Medicare and Medicaid (as of late 2018). These codes fall under W90 (Exposure to nonionizing radiation):
    • W90.0 - Exposure to radiofrequency (with subcodes for initial encounter, subsequent encounter, and sequela)
    • W90.8 - Exposure to other nonionizing radiation

    If you have EHS and secure a diagnosis from a doctor, ask them to use the appropriate ICD-10 code for your circumstance.

The Research Landscape

The Challenge of Studying EHS

EHS presents unique challenges for scientific research:

  • • Symptoms are subjective and difficult to measure objectively
  • • Individual variation in reported sensitivity is enormous
  • • Modern environments contain multiple overlapping EMF sources
  • • Symptoms overlap with many other conditions

Provocation Studies Explained

Provocation studies are controlled experiments where subjects are exposed to EMF (or a sham/fake exposure) without knowing which they're receiving. This "double-blind" design tests whether people can actually detect EMF presence.

Key finding: Most provocation studies find that subjects cannot reliably detect whether EMF exposure is real or sham. However, this does not prove that symptoms aren't real — it suggests the mechanism may be more complex than simple detection.

The Nocebo Question

Some research suggests symptoms may be triggered by belief or expectation of harm (the "nocebo effect" — the opposite of placebo). This is scientifically important, but it does not mean symptoms aren't real. Regardless of the mechanism, the suffering experienced by affected individuals is genuine and deserves respect and appropriate care.

Featured Research

Symptoms & SensitivityNo Effects Found142 citations

Does short-term exposure to mobile phone base station signals increase symptoms in individuals who report sensitivity to electromagnetic fields? A double-blind randomized provocation study.

Eltiti S et al. · 2007

Researchers tested whether people who report electromagnetic sensitivity experience symptoms when exposed to cell tower signals by comparing their reactions to real signals versus fake exposure. When participants knew what they were being exposed to, sensitive individuals reported feeling worse with real signals. However, when neither researchers nor participants knew which exposure was real (double-blind testing), the sensitive individuals showed no consistent negative reactions to the cell tower signals.

View Study Details
Symptoms & SensitivityNo Effects Found132 citations

Hypersensitivity symptoms associated with exposure to cellular telephones: No causal link.

Hietanen M, Hämäläinen A-M, Husman T. · 2002

Finnish researchers tested 20 people who claimed to be sensitive to cell phone radiation by exposing them to both real and fake cell phone signals in controlled conditions. The study found that participants reported more symptoms during fake exposure than real exposure, and none could tell when phones were actually on or off. This suggests that while people genuinely experience symptoms they attribute to cell phones, the phones themselves aren't causing these effects.

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Symptoms & SensitivityNo Effects Found130 citations

Electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) and subjective health complaints associated with electromagnetic fields of mobile phone communication--a literature review published between 2000 and 2004.

Seitz H, Stinner D, Eikmann T, Herr C, Röösli M. · 2005

Researchers reviewed 13 quality studies from 2000-2004 examining whether people who report electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) can actually detect mobile phone radiation and whether such exposure causes health symptoms. They found that people claiming EHS could not reliably detect when EMF was present, performing no better than random chance, and studies on general health symptoms from mobile phone exposure showed mixed results with significant methodological problems.

View Study Details
Symptoms & SensitivityNo Effects Found112 citations

Mobile phone headache: a double blind, sham-controlled provocation study.

Oftedal G, Straume A, Johnsson A, Stovner L · 2007

Researchers tested 17 people who claimed mobile phones caused their headaches by exposing them to real phone radiation and fake radiation without telling them which was which. The participants actually reported slightly more pain during the fake exposures than the real ones, and their heart rate and blood pressure didn't change based on whether they received real or fake radiation. This suggests mobile phone headaches are likely a nocebo effect - where expecting negative effects can actually cause symptoms even without real exposure.

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Symptoms & Sensitivity111 citations

Symptoms, personality traits, and stress in people with mobile phone-related symptoms and electromagnetic hypersensitivity.

Johansson A, Nordin S, Heiden M, Sandström M. · 2010

Researchers compared 116 people who reported symptoms from mobile phones or general electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) with control groups to understand their psychological profiles. They found that people with mobile phone-specific symptoms showed higher rates of exhaustion and depression, while those with general EHS showed elevated anxiety, depression, and other psychological symptoms. The study suggests these represent two distinct conditions that may require different treatment approaches.

View Study Details

Related Research

For a broader view of EMF research on subjective symptoms, provocation studies, and quality-of-life impacts, see our Symptoms & Sensitivity topic page, which includes 103 studies.

Symptoms & Sensitivity →Brain & Nervous SystemCellular Effects

Living with EHS

If You Think You May Be Sensitive

  • • Keep a symptom diary correlating symptoms with potential EMF sources and other factors
  • • Consider consulting with healthcare providers about your symptoms
  • • Note that multiple factors can cause similar symptoms — consider other potential causes
  • • Many symptoms associated with EHS overlap with stress, sleep deprivation, and other common conditions

Approaches People Find Helpful

  • • Reducing exposure by increasing distance from sources
  • • Identifying and removing the strongest nearby sources
  • • Creating low-EMF rest areas, especially in sleeping spaces
  • • Using wired connections instead of wireless where practical
  • • Turning off WiFi routers at night

Note: While Shield Your Body sells EMF protection products, this guide is focused on research, not commerce. If you're looking for ways to reduce your exposure, visit our main website.

Further Reading

For a comprehensive exploration of EMF health effects and practical protection strategies, explore these books by R Blank and Dr. Martin Blank.

Overpowered: The Dangers of Electromagnetic Radiation book cover

Overpowered: The Dangers of Electromagnetic Radiation

Dr. Martin Blank & R Blank

Read on Amazon
Empowered: A Practical Guide to Protecting Yourself from EMF book cover

Empowered: A Practical Guide to Protecting Yourself from EMF

R Blank

Read on Amazon