6,486 Studies Reviewed. 85.2% of Original Studies Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.
Shield Your Body
Brain & Nervous System

Affective response to 5 microT ELF magnetic field-induced physiological changes.

Bioeffects Seen

Stevens P · 2007

View Original Abstract
Share:

Exposure to a 0–5 µT ELF magnetic field at 8–12 Hz was associated with reported changes in emotional state, with researchers suggesting participant experiences were due to an interpretation of the effects of MF exposure.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers studied whether exposure to a 0–5 µT magnetic field at EEG alpha-band frequencies (8–12 Hz) would affect emotional state. Participants reported a change in emotional state following exposure, and a decrease in global field power was observed. The frontal alpha-asymmetry that would physiologically indicate a directly induced emotional state was absent, and researchers suggested that participant experiences were due to an interpretation of the effects of MF exposure.

Why This Matters

The study used a DC-offset sinusoidal wave form magnetic field ranging from 0 to 5 µT, delivered at frequencies within the EEG alpha band of 8–12 Hz. The absence of frontal alpha-asymmetry was notable because that pattern would physiologically indicate a directly induced emotional state. The researchers concluded that participant experiences were due to an interpretation of the effects of MF exposure.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
0.005 mT
Source/Device
8–12 Hz

Exposure Context

This study used 0.005 mT 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: 0.005 mTExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 40 times higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 12 Hz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 12 HzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

Here it is shown that exposure to a 0–5 µT MF (DC‐offset sinudsoidal wave form) within EEG α‐band frequencies (8–12 Hz), results in a reported change in emotional state.

This relates to a decrease global field power but lacks the frontal α‐asymmetry that would physiolog...

Cite This Study
Stevens P (2007). Affective response to 5 microT ELF magnetic field-induced physiological changes. Bioelectromagnetics. 28(2):109-114, 2007.
Show BibTeX
@article{p_2007_affective_response_to_5_302,
  author = {Stevens P},
  title = {Affective response to 5 microT ELF magnetic field-induced physiological changes.},
  year = {2007},
  doi = {10.1002/bem.20280},
  url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/bem.20280},
}
DOI: 10.1002/bem.20280

Cited By (14 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

The study used a 0–5 µT magnetic field with a DC-offset sinusoidal wave form, at EEG alpha-band frequencies of 8–12 Hz.
Participants did report a change in emotional state following exposure to the magnetic field.
The EEG data showed a decrease in global field power but lacked the frontal alpha-asymmetry that would physiologically indicate a directly induced emotional state.
Researchers suggested that participant experiences were due to an interpretation of the effects of MF exposure.