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Brain & Nervous System

The Effect of 5G Mobile Phone Electromagnetic Exposure on Corticospinal and Intracortical Excitability in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

No Effects Found

Authors not listed · 2025

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Short 5G phone calls showed no immediate brain nerve changes, but study size and methods were too limited for definitive conclusions.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed 19 healthy adults to 5G phone radiation at 3.6 GHz for 5 and 20 minutes, then measured brain nerve activity using magnetic stimulation. They found no detectable changes in brain excitability or nerve function after either exposure duration. The study suggests any effects from typical 5G phone calls are likely too subtle to measure with current methods.

Why This Matters

This pilot study provides the first controlled look at how 5G phone calls affect brain nerve activity in real time. While finding no immediate effects is reassuring, the researchers' honest assessment matters more than the headline result. Their Bayesian analysis showed the evidence was inconclusive rather than definitively proving safety. The 0.0030 W/m2 power density used here represents typical phone call exposure levels, making this relevant to everyday use. However, the small sample size and short exposure durations mean we're still in the early stages of understanding 5G's neurological effects. The researchers correctly emphasize this is preliminary work requiring replication with more sensitive measures and longer exposures.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 3.6 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 3.6 GHzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
Unknown (2025). The Effect of 5G Mobile Phone Electromagnetic Exposure on Corticospinal and Intracortical Excitability in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.
Show BibTeX
@article{the_effect_of_5g_mobile_phone_electromagnetic_exposure_on_corticospinal_and_intracortical_excitability_in_healthy_adults_a_randomized_controlled_pilot_study_ce3525,
  author = {Unknown},
  title = {The Effect of 5G Mobile Phone Electromagnetic Exposure on Corticospinal and Intracortical Excitability in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study},
  year = {2025},
  doi = {10.3390/brainsci15111134},
  
}
DOI: 10.3390/brainsci15111134PubMed: 41300142

Quick Questions About This Study

This study found no detectable changes in brain nerve excitability after 5 and 20 minute exposures to 3.6 GHz 5G radiation at typical phone call power levels. However, the small sample size and measurement methods may not detect subtle effects.
Participants received 5 and 20 minute exposures to 5G radiation, designed to mimic typical phone call durations. Brain nerve activity was measured immediately before and after each exposure session using transcranial magnetic stimulation.
The study used 0.0030 W/m2 power density, which represents typical exposure levels during 5G phone calls. This is within normal operating ranges for commercial 5G devices held near the head during conversations.
Bayesian statistical analysis showed Bayes factors near 1, meaning the data equally supported both 'no effect' and 'some effect' hypotheses. The researchers concluded the evidence was too limited to make definitive claims either way.
Scientists measured corticospinal excitability and three types of intracortical mechanisms using single and paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation. These tests evaluate how easily brain motor areas can be stimulated and how they communicate internally.