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Acute effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic field emitted by mobile phone on brain function.

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Zhang J, Sumich A, Wang GY. · 2017

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Mobile phone radiation measurably increases brain activity in areas closest to the phone, potentially disrupting sleep and cognitive function.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers reviewed recent brain imaging and brain wave studies to examine whether mobile phone radiation affects brain function. They found that phone radiation appears to increase brain activity and efficiency, particularly in areas near where you hold the phone, and this increased activity was linked to faster reaction times and sleep disruption. The findings suggest the scientific question of mobile phone effects on the brain should be reopened, though the researchers note that long-term effects remain largely unstudied.

Why This Matters

This review represents a significant shift in the scientific conversation about mobile phone radiation and brain function. For years, the prevailing view held that phones produce no meaningful short-term cognitive effects. But as this analysis demonstrates, newer brain imaging technologies are revealing measurable changes in cortical excitability and neural efficiency during phone use. What makes this particularly concerning is that the increased brain activity occurs precisely in the fronto-temporal regions where you hold your phone against your head. The connection between this heightened brain activity and sleep disruption is especially noteworthy, given that quality sleep is fundamental to cognitive health and overall wellbeing. Perhaps most importantly, the researchers acknowledge what many in the field have long recognized: we have essentially no data on the long-term effects of mobile phone radiation on brain function, despite billions of people using these devices daily for decades.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Study Details

The aim of this review is to readdress the question of whether the effect of MP EMF exposure on brain function should be reopened.

We strengthen our argument focusing on recent neuroimaging and electroencephalography studies, in or...

everal studies indicate an increase in cortical excitability and/or efficiency with EMF exposure, wh...

Cite This Study
Zhang J, Sumich A, Wang GY. (2017). Acute effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic field emitted by mobile phone on brain function. Bioelectromagnetics. 38(5):329-338, 2017.
Show BibTeX
@article{j_2017_acute_effects_of_radiofrequency_2702,
  author = {Zhang J and Sumich A and Wang GY.},
  title = {Acute effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic field emitted by mobile phone on brain function.},
  year = {2017},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28426166/},
}
PubMed: 28426166

Cited By (39 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, a 2017 brain imaging review found that mobile phone radiation appears to increase brain activity and efficiency, particularly in fronto-temporal regions near where you hold the phone. This increased cortical excitability was linked to faster reaction times in several studies.
Research indicates that mobile phone radiation exposure can lead to faster reaction times. A 2017 review found this effect was associated with increased brain activity and efficiency in areas closest to where the phone is held during use.
Yes, mobile phone radiation may disrupt sleep through increased cortical excitability in the brain. A 2017 review of brain imaging studies found that the same brain activity changes linked to faster reactions were also associated with sleep disruption.
No, long-term brain effects from mobile phone radiation remain largely unstudied. A 2017 research review noted that the crucial scientific question of longer-term mobile phone EMF exposure effects on brain function remains essentially unaddressed by researchers.
Yes, researchers suggest the scientific question should be reopened. A 2017 review found consistent evidence that mobile phone radiation increases brain activity and efficiency, with effects on reaction time and sleep, indicating more research is needed.