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Adaptation of human brain bioelectrical activity to low-level microwave.

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Bachmann M, Rubljova J, Lass J, Tomson R, Tuulik V, Hinrikus H. · 2007

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Brain waves measurably adapt to low-level microwave exposure at 0.16 mW/cm², showing our brains actively work to counteract wireless radiation.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed 14 healthy volunteers to low-level microwave radiation (450 MHz) and measured their brain activity using EEG. They found that the brain initially responded to the radiation by increasing electrical activity, but then adapted by reducing activity below normal levels. This adaptation occurred specifically in alpha and beta brain waves, which are associated with alertness and cognitive function.

Why This Matters

This study reveals something concerning about how our brains respond to microwave radiation exposure. The fact that brain activity initially increases and then overcompensates by decreasing suggests our neural systems are working to counteract the electromagnetic interference. What makes this particularly relevant is the exposure level used - 0.16 mW/cm² - which falls within the range of what you might experience from cell phones and other wireless devices during typical use. The adaptation response the researchers observed indicates that even low-level microwave exposure is significant enough to trigger measurable biological changes in brain function. While the brain's ability to adapt might seem protective, this compensation mechanism could potentially become overwhelmed with chronic exposure, and we don't yet understand the long-term consequences of forcing our brains to continuously adapt to artificial electromagnetic fields.

Exposure Details

Power Density
0.16 µW/m²
Source/Device
450 MHz modulated at 40 Hz

Exposure Context

This study used 0.16 µW/m² for radio frequency:

Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextA logarithmic scale showing exposure levels relative to Building Biology concern thresholds and regulatory limits.Study Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.16 µW/m²Extreme Concern1,000 uW/m2FCC Limit10M uW/m2Effects observed in the Slight Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 62,500,000x higher than this exposure level

Study Details

The aim of this study is to observe Adaptation of human brain bioelectrical activity to low-level microwave.

The experiments of adaptation of the human brain bioelectrical activity were carried out on a group ...

Results of the study indicate that adaptation effect of human brain to low-level microwave exposure ...

Cite This Study
Bachmann M, Rubljova J, Lass J, Tomson R, Tuulik V, Hinrikus H. (2007). Adaptation of human brain bioelectrical activity to low-level microwave. Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2007:4747-4750, 2007.
Show BibTeX
@article{m_2007_adaptation_of_human_brain_837,
  author = {Bachmann M and Rubljova J and Lass J and Tomson R and Tuulik V and Hinrikus H.},
  title = {Adaptation of human brain bioelectrical activity to low-level microwave.},
  year = {2007},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18003066/},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

Researchers exposed 14 healthy volunteers to low-level microwave radiation (450 MHz) and measured their brain activity using EEG. They found that the brain initially responded to the radiation by increasing electrical activity, but then adapted by reducing activity below normal levels. This adaptation occurred specifically in alpha and beta brain waves, which are associated with alertness and cognitive function.