Extremely low frequency magnetic field modulates the level of neurotransmitters.
Chung YH, Lee YJ, Lee HS, Chung SJ, Lim CH, Oh KW, Sohn UD, Park ES, Jeong JH. · 2015
View Original AbstractMagnetic field exposure significantly altered brain neurotransmitter levels in rats, suggesting EMFs may affect mood and cognitive function.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed laboratory rats to 60 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as household electrical systems) for 2 to 5 days and found significant changes in brain chemistry. The magnetic field exposure altered levels of key neurotransmitters including serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine across multiple brain regions. These chemical messengers control mood, movement, attention, and other critical brain functions.
Why This Matters
This study provides compelling evidence that extremely low frequency magnetic fields can directly affect brain chemistry at the cellular level. The 2.0 mT exposure level used here is higher than typical household exposures (which range from 0.01 to 0.2 mT), but it's well within levels found near power lines or electrical equipment. What makes this research particularly significant is that it demonstrates measurable changes in neurotransmitter systems that govern mood, cognition, and behavior. The science demonstrates that EMF exposure isn't just about heating tissue or causing cancer. These fields appear to interact with the delicate electrochemical processes that make our brains function. While we need more research to understand the long-term implications, this study adds to a growing body of evidence showing that magnetic fields can influence neurological function in ways we're only beginning to understand.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 2 mG
- Source/Device
- 60 Hz
- Exposure Duration
- 2 or 5 days
Exposure Context
This study used 2 mG for magnetic fields:
- 100Kx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 20Kx 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
This study was aimed to observe that extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) may be relevant to changes of major neurotransmitters in rat brain
After the exposure to ELF-MF (60 Hz, 2.0 mT) for 2 or 5 days, we measured the levels of biogenic ami...
The exposure of ELF-MF for 2 or 5 days produced significant differences in norepinephrine and vanill...
The present study has demonstrated that exposure to ELF-MFs may evoke the changes in the levels of biogenic amines, amino acid and NO in the brain although the extent and property vary with the brain areas. However, the mechanisms remain further to be characterized.
Show BibTeX
@article{yh_2015_extremely_low_frequency_magnetic_616,
author = {Chung YH and Lee YJ and Lee HS and Chung SJ and Lim CH and Oh KW and Sohn UD and Park ES and Jeong JH.},
title = {Extremely low frequency magnetic field modulates the level of neurotransmitters.},
year = {2015},
url = {https://synapse.koreamed.org/articles/1026006},
}