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THE EFFECT OF A PERMANENT MAGNETIC FIELD ON THE BLOOD AND CNS OF MAN AND ANIMALS

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Ivanov-Muromskiy, K. A., Likhachev, A. I. · 1967

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1967 Soviet research showed 7000 gauss magnetic fields altered human blood chemistry and brain pain responses.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Soviet researchers in 1967 exposed human and rabbit heads to powerful 7000 gauss magnetic fields to study nervous system effects. They found the magnetic field decreased red blood cell sedimentation rates and hemoglobin while increasing white blood cell counts. In humans, brain exposure raised pain tolerance and reduced sensitivity to electrical stimulation.

Why This Matters

This early Soviet study represents some of the first systematic research into how magnetic fields affect the central nervous system and blood chemistry. While the 7000 gauss exposure far exceeds typical consumer electronics (your smartphone produces roughly 1-10 gauss), the findings reveal that magnetic fields can measurably alter both blood parameters and pain perception through brain mechanisms. The researchers' observation that magnetic fields affected the diencephalon and subcortex suggests these fields can influence deep brain structures that regulate fundamental physiological processes. What makes this study particularly relevant today is how it demonstrates biological effects from non-ionizing electromagnetic fields decades before our current wireless revolution. The blood chemistry changes and altered pain thresholds indicate that magnetic field exposure creates measurable physiological responses, not just theoretical concerns.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
Ivanov-Muromskiy, K. A., Likhachev, A. I. (1967). THE EFFECT OF A PERMANENT MAGNETIC FIELD ON THE BLOOD AND CNS OF MAN AND ANIMALS.
Show BibTeX
@article{the_effect_of_a_permanent_magnetic_field_on_the_blood_and_cns_of_man_and_animals_g3842,
  author = {Ivanov-Muromskiy and K. A. and Likhachev and A. I.},
  title = {THE EFFECT OF A PERMANENT MAGNETIC FIELD ON THE BLOOD AND CNS OF MAN AND ANIMALS},
  year = {1967},
  
  
}

Quick Questions About This Study

The researchers used 7000 gauss magnetic fields generated by a large electromagnet, with fluctuations of about 15% due to power supply instability. This is thousands of times stronger than typical household magnetic field exposures.
Magnetic field exposure decreased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (how fast red blood cells settle) and reduced hemoglobin content while increasing white blood cell counts. Researchers attributed these changes to magnetic effects on brain regions.
Yes, a single exposure to the permanent magnetic field raised the threshold for sensitivity to electrical stimulation and strengthened pain endurance in human subjects, suggesting the field altered nervous system pain processing mechanisms.
The study specifically targeted the central nervous system by exposing only the head region to determine how magnetic fields affect brain function and blood chemistry through neural pathways rather than direct blood exposure.
The researchers found blood chemistry changes in living subjects statistically reliable, but noted that direct magnetic exposure of blood samples in laboratory dishes showed inconsistent results that weren't statistically significant.