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Anxiety-like behavioural effects of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field in rats.

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Djordjevic NZ, Paunović MG, Peulić AS · 2017

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Seven days of power-frequency EMF exposure caused anxiety-like behavior in rats through brain oxidative stress.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed rats to 50 Hz electromagnetic fields (the type from power lines and household wiring) for one week and found the animals developed anxiety-like behaviors. Brain analysis revealed increased oxidative stress and nitric oxide in the hypothalamus, the brain region that regulates emotions and stress responses. This suggests that even short-term exposure to extremely low frequency EMFs can alter brain chemistry in ways that affect mood and behavior.

Why This Matters

This study adds to growing evidence that ELF-EMF exposure affects brain function through oxidative stress pathways. The 50 Hz frequency tested is identical to the power grid frequency used throughout Europe and much of the world (60 Hz in North America). What makes this research particularly noteworthy is that measurable behavioral changes occurred after just seven days of exposure. The researchers identified a clear biological mechanism: EMF exposure triggered oxidative stress in the hypothalamus, leading to observable anxiety behaviors. While this was an animal study, the hypothalamus performs the same critical regulatory functions in humans. The reality is that many people live with chronic ELF-EMF exposure from power lines, electrical wiring, and appliances. This research suggests such exposure may have neurological consequences that manifest as mood and behavioral changes, providing a potential explanation for why some individuals report anxiety and other symptoms in high-EMF environments.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
10 mG
Source/Device
50 Hz
Exposure Duration
7 days (24 h/day)

Exposure Context

This study used 10 mG for magnetic fields:

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 ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 10 mGExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the Extreme Concern rangeFCC limit is 200x higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 50 Hz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 50 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of short-term ELF-EMF (50 Hz) in the development of anxiety-like behaviour in rats through change hypothalamic oxidative stress and NO.

Ten adult male rats (Wistar albino) were divided in two groups: control group-without exposure to EL...

Obtained results show that ELF-EMF both induces anxiety-like behaviour and increases concentrations ...

In conclusion, the development of anxiety-like behaviour is mediated by oxidative stress and increased NO concentration in hypothalamus of rats exposed to ELF-EMF during 7 days.

Cite This Study
Djordjevic NZ, Paunović MG, Peulić AS (2017). Anxiety-like behavioural effects of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field in rats. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 24(27):21693-21699, 2017.
Show BibTeX
@article{nz_2017_anxietylike_behavioural_effects_of_348,
  author = {Djordjevic NZ and Paunović MG and Peulić AS},
  title = {Anxiety-like behavioural effects of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field in rats.},
  year = {2017},
  doi = {10.1007/s11356-017-9710-1},
  url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-017-9710-1},
}
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-9710-1

Cited By (24 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, a 2017 study found that rats exposed to 50 Hz electromagnetic fields (power line frequency) for just one week developed anxiety-like behaviors. The researchers observed increased oxidative stress and nitric oxide in the hypothalamus, the brain region controlling emotions and stress responses.
Research shows behavioral changes can occur in just seven days of 50 Hz EMF exposure. Rats exposed to power line frequency electromagnetic fields developed anxiety-like behaviors within one week, along with measurable brain chemistry changes in the hypothalamus.
Yes, 50 Hz electromagnetic fields from household wiring can alter brain chemistry. A study found this frequency increased oxidative stress and nitric oxide concentrations in the hypothalamus of rats, the brain region responsible for regulating emotions and stress responses.
The hypothalamus appears most affected by 50 Hz EMF exposure. Research found this brain region, which controls emotions and stress responses, showed increased oxidative stress and nitric oxide levels after one week of power line frequency exposure.
Yes, even short-term exposure to 50 Hz power line EMF can cause oxidative stress in the brain. Researchers found increased levels of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide in the hypothalamus after just seven days of exposure.