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Effects of 902 MHz electromagnetic field emitted by cellular telephones on response times in humans.

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Koivisto, M, Revonsuo, A, Krause, C, Haarala, C, Sillanmaki, L, Laine, M, Hamalainen, H · 2000

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Cell phone radiation measurably altered brain function in this study, proving EMF is biologically active regardless of whether short-term effects appear beneficial.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed 48 healthy adults to 902 MHz radiofrequency radiation from cell phones while they performed various thinking tasks. The EMF exposure actually improved their reaction times and mental arithmetic performance, suggesting the radiation enhanced brain function rather than harmed it. This challenges assumptions about EMF effects being purely negative and shows the brain's response to electromagnetic fields is more complex than previously understood.

Why This Matters

This study presents a fascinating wrinkle in EMF research that deserves careful interpretation. While the finding that 902 MHz radiation improved cognitive performance might seem reassuring, it actually raises important questions about how EMF affects brain function. The reality is that any measurable change in brain activity from EMF exposure indicates the radiation is biologically active. Whether the effect appears 'positive' or 'negative' in a single study misses the larger point: your brain is responding to artificial electromagnetic fields in measurable ways. What this means for you is that EMF clearly influences neural activity, and the long-term consequences of chronic exposure remain unknown. The fact that researchers found immediate cognitive changes suggests we need much more research into how daily EMF exposure affects brain function over time.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 902 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 902 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 902 MHz

Study Details

The present study examined possible influences of a 902 MHz electromagnetic field emitted by cellular telephones on cognitive functioning in 48 healthy humans.

A battery of 12 reaction time tasks was performed twice by each participant in a counterbalanced ord...

The results showed that the exposure to the electromagnetic field speeded up response times in simpl...

The results suggest that exposure to the electromagnetic field emitted by cellular telephones may have a facilitatory effect on brain functioning, especially in tasks requiring attention and manipulation of information in working memory.

Cite This Study
Koivisto, M, Revonsuo, A, Krause, C, Haarala, C, Sillanmaki, L, Laine, M, Hamalainen, H (2000). Effects of 902 MHz electromagnetic field emitted by cellular telephones on response times in humans. Neuroreport 11(2):413-415, 2000.
Show BibTeX
@article{koivisto_2000_effects_of_902_mhz_2295,
  author = {Koivisto and M and Revonsuo and A and Krause and C and Haarala and C and Sillanmaki and L and Laine and M and Hamalainen and H},
  title = {Effects of 902 MHz electromagnetic field emitted by cellular telephones on response times in humans.},
  year = {2000},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10674497/},
}
PubMed: 10674497

Cited By (246 papers)

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Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, a 2000 study found that 902 MHz radiation from cell phones actually improved reaction times in healthy adults. Participants exposed to this specific frequency performed faster on simple reaction tasks and vigilance tests, suggesting electromagnetic fields can enhance certain brain functions rather than impair them.
Research shows 902 MHz electromagnetic fields can improve mental arithmetic performance. The study found that exposure to this frequency decreased the cognitive time needed for mental math tasks, indicating the radiation may enhance working memory and information processing abilities in the brain.
A study on 902 MHz radiation suggests cell phone electromagnetic fields may facilitate brain functioning, particularly for tasks requiring attention. Researchers found that exposure to this frequency improved performance on vigilance tasks that demand sustained focus and mental alertness in healthy adults.
Yes, 902 MHz radiation from cellular phones showed facilitatory effects on brain functioning in a controlled study. Rather than causing harm, this specific frequency enhanced cognitive performance, especially in tasks involving attention and manipulation of information in working memory among 48 healthy participants.
Research demonstrates that 902 MHz electromagnetic fields can speed up brain processing. The study found faster response times in simple reaction tasks and reduced cognitive time for mental arithmetic, suggesting this frequency may enhance the brain's information processing efficiency rather than slow it down.