Affective response to 5 microT ELF magnetic field-induced physiological changes.
Stevens P · 2007
View Original AbstractMagnetic fields at household appliance levels can alter both brain activity and emotional state, suggesting everyday EMF exposure affects neurological function.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed people to extremely low frequency magnetic fields at 5 microTesla (similar to standing near some household appliances) pulsing at brain wave frequencies of 8-12 Hz. Participants reported changes in their emotional state during exposure, and brain measurements showed altered electrical activity patterns. This suggests that even relatively weak magnetic fields can influence both how people feel and measurable brain function.
Why This Matters
This study adds to growing evidence that ELF magnetic fields can directly influence brain activity and subjective experience, even at exposure levels you might encounter in daily life. The 5 microTesla field strength used here is comparable to what you'd experience standing 1-2 feet from many common appliances. What makes this research particularly significant is that it demonstrates measurable brain changes alongside reported emotional effects, suggesting these aren't just placebo responses. The researchers found that while people felt different, the brain patterns didn't match typical emotional states, indicating the magnetic fields may be creating novel neurological effects that participants interpret as emotional changes. This points to a more complex relationship between EMF exposure and brain function than previously understood, with implications for anyone regularly exposed to similar field strengths in their environment.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 0.005 mG
- Source/Device
- 8–12 Hz
Exposure Context
This study used 0.005 mG for magnetic fields:
- 250x above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 50x 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
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...
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},
}