Effects of Electromagnetic Radiation Exposure on Stress-Related Behaviors and Stress Hormones in Male Wistar Rats.
Mahdavi SM, Sahraei H, Yaghmaei P, Tavakoli H. · 2014
View Original AbstractVery low frequency EMFs at 1-5 Hz altered stress hormones and glucose metabolism in rats, showing biological effects without tissue heating.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed male rats to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields at 1 Hz and 5 Hz to study effects on stress hormones and behavior. They found that these exposures altered stress hormone levels (increasing ACTH while decreasing noradrenaline) and changed glucose metabolism differently depending on the frequency used. The study demonstrates that even very low frequency EMF exposures can disrupt the body's stress response system in measurable ways.
Why This Matters
This research adds important evidence to our understanding of how extremely low frequency EMFs affect biological stress systems. What's particularly significant is that the researchers found different effects from 1 Hz versus 5 Hz exposures, suggesting that even within the ELF range, specific frequencies matter for biological impact. The alterations in stress hormones like ACTH and noradrenaline are concerning because these systems regulate everything from sleep and mood to immune function and metabolism. While we encounter ELF fields primarily from power lines and electrical appliances rather than these specific test frequencies, this study reinforces that EMF exposures don't need to heat tissue to cause biological changes. The reality is that our stress response systems evolved without constant electromagnetic exposure, and research like this shows measurable disruption even at very low frequencies.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 1 and 5 Hz
Study Details
The aim of this study is to observe Effects of Electromagnetic Radiation Exposure on Stress-Related Behaviors and Stress Hormones in Male Wistar Rats.
Short, medium, and long-term exposure to the extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF)...
ELF-EMF exposure did not alter body weight, and food and water intake. Plasma glucose level was incr...
In conclusions, these data showed that the effects of 1 and 5 Hz on the hormonal, metabolic and stress-like behaviors may be different. Moreover, the influence of waves on stress system is depending on time of exposure.
Show BibTeX
@article{sm_2014_effects_of_electromagnetic_radiation_1760,
author = {Mahdavi SM and Sahraei H and Yaghmaei P and Tavakoli H.},
title = {Effects of Electromagnetic Radiation Exposure on Stress-Related Behaviors and Stress Hormones in Male Wistar Rats.},
year = {2014},
url = {https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4256039/},
}