Anxiety-like behavioural effects of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field in rats.
Djordjevic NZ, Paunović MG, Peulić AS · 2017
View Original AbstractSeven days of power-frequency EMF exposure caused anxiety-like behavior in rats through brain oxidative stress.
Plain English Summary
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:
- 500Kx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 100Kx above the BioInitiative Report recommendation of 1 mG
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 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.
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},
}