Earthing mats are potentially incredible products that allow the passing of electrons from the earth into our bodies. Recent research has shown that these devices can have numerous health benefits, such as improved sleep and better recovery from chronic pain. However, people often ask, "are there potential grounding mat dangers that you must be aware of?" To help, we discuss these below.
Grounding Mat vs Natural Earthing
Before we look at the dangers of grounding mats, it is important to understand the process involved with these devices and how it differs from natural earthing.
Natural Earthing
The earth’s surface electrons are negatively charged, whereas the charge is positive high up in the ionosphere. Free electrons pass into our bodies when we make direct contact with the earth (such as walking barefoot).
This process is something that naturally occurs and has always been the case. Virtually every object on our planet has some electrical charge, but the current is minimal; thus, the human body can cope with this without any adverse effects.
Indeed, if you walk barefoot, the earth’s energy can prove beneficial, and people who do this regularly have reported various health improvements. The key is that this is naturally occurring and should not affect body voltage to the degree that causes issues.
Grounding Mats
Earthing mats essentially mimic the process described above. They are a piece of material imbued with an electrical system. You connect it to an electrical outlet to make direct contact with the surface.
Potential Grounding Mat Dangers
As you can see, there is a key difference between the electrical system of a grounding mat and natural earthing by walking barefoot, for example.
Risk of Electric Shock
There is no risk of electric shock as long as you plugged the grounding mat into a properly functioning electrical outlet. Your grounding mat likely has plastic pins for the live parts of the socket, and only conducts with the earth.
Tips for Safe Use of Grounding Mats
Now that you understand the potential earthing mat dangers, we can look at their safe usage. Providing you take care, be fastidious, and use the product appropriately for your body, any grounding product can be used safely.
Always Check Grounding Mats for Faults Before Using
The leading cause of problems with earthing products is faulty electrics: this could be a defective grounding plug, or a damaged power cable.
We advise always checking your devices before use as a result. Perform a visual check of the mat itself, the cable, the power connection on the mat, and the mains electric plug. Look also for damage and signs of wear and tear. By doing this, you can easily spot any potential problems that could cause an unexpected electrical surge in your body.
All of our grounding mats are tested by a certified electriction so you can rest easy knowing our products are effective and safe to use.
Build up the Usage Length Over Time
There is no guarantee how your immune system and body will react to using an earthing mat. Everyone is different, and each person’s autonomic nervous system could interact in varying ways with the device.
Therefore, we advise building up your usage. Don’t immediately use the product for prolonged periods, such as for sleeping grounded. Instead, use it for short periods of 40 minutes to one hour. Once your body becomes accustomed to the process and no adverse effects are apparent, consider upping the usage time.
Be Safe When Using Grounding Mats!
We hope you have found this guide on grounding mat dangers beneficial. It is always important to be fully informed about any product – both its pros and cons. Only then can you see if it is suitable or could potentially do more harm than good. Providing that you take the appropriate precautions and perform a thorough quality check of your products, there is no reason why you cannot use grounding pads safely.