The Psychologic Consequences of Exposure to High Density Pulsed Electromagnetic Energy
F. G. Hirsch, D. R. McGrann, T. D. Hamish · 1968
1968 research showed pulsed electromagnetic fields caused psychological and behavioral changes in rodents, challenging heating-only safety assumptions.
Plain English Summary
This 1968 study examined how high-density pulsed electromagnetic fields affected psychological and behavioral responses in laboratory rodents, including maze learning performance. The research represents early scientific recognition that electromagnetic energy exposure could influence brain function and behavior, not just physical tissue heating.
Why This Matters
This research stands as a landmark in EMF science, published at a time when most scientists believed electromagnetic fields only caused harm through tissue heating. The focus on 'psychological consequences' and behavioral effects like maze learning demonstrates that researchers recognized neurological impacts decades before cell phones became ubiquitous. What makes this particularly relevant today is that modern wireless devices emit similar pulsed electromagnetic signals, often at power densities comparable to what these researchers studied. The reality is that if pulsed EMF could alter rodent behavior and learning in 1968, we should take seriously the growing body of research showing cognitive effects from today's wireless technologies. You don't have to accept industry assurances that only heating matters when independent research has documented non-thermal neurological effects for over 50 years.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Show BibTeX
@article{the_psychologic_consequences_of_exposure_to_high_density_pulsed_electromagnetic__g4449,
author = {F. G. Hirsch and D. R. McGrann and T. D. Hamish},
title = {The Psychologic Consequences of Exposure to High Density Pulsed Electromagnetic Energy},
year = {1968},
}