There is so much fluff out there that it was only a matter of time before we were asked about something particularly nutty! This episode is a fine balance between answering a question about something really out there and then an interview with a dedicated man of science who works very hard to help people sort truth from disinformation.

Table of Contents

• Earthing or Grounding, if it sounds out there, wel …

• Nick Tiller-Working to Help People Understand Misi …

• Episode takeaways:

  • References used for the MMB

Earthing or Grounding, if it sounds out there, well, it is.

The planet that we all live on serves a lot of invaluable purposes and one of them is electrostatic in nature. Essentially, the Earth serves as a huge sink for electrons. All of that rock beneath our feet can absorb a near infinite amount of electrons through electrical and physical processes that are beyond the scope of a triathlon podcast. Suffice it to say, the reason that we don’t continuously get zapped every time we flip a light switch is because our homes are grounded. A failsafe for all electrical devices is grounding, rather than send a charge through to an unwitting human, there is a much larger source of protons just begging for electrical charge and that is in the earth beneath us so all of our devices have a literal hard wire to the planet to ensure that stray current has somewhere to discharge. The concept of ‘earthing’ is based on a similar premise, connect your body more directly to the planet and stray electrons that build up through physiologic processes of life will have somewhere to go and your body will become more balanced. According to the adherents of this technique, many chronic ailments are a direct result of electrical imbalances and a build up of electrons in tissues that cause derangements in cell function. This theory is not completely without merit. Many diseases are felt to arise because of negatively charged free radicals in the form of ‘super oxides’, oxygen species with a negative charge that can wreak havoc in a cell. However, it is important to note, that is an organism, our body is electrically neutral. We don’t run a net charge one way or the other. If we did, we would constantly be discharging that onto others or to fixed objects throughout the day! At any rate, this whole earthing idea is that if you take off your shoes, and go for a walk outside, you will allow all those loose electrons to flow out through your feet in to mother earth and all will be well. It sounds very whimsical and maybe a touch scientific and so it isn’t all that surprising that much of what has been published on the subject trends toward whimsy. Thus far there are a bunch of papers that tout the theory of grounding without any good evidence that backs up the theory. That has not stopped any of the hyperbole though. To hear what we found in the papers and how we came down on all of this as well as our questions about some of the issues with the theory itself, listen to the episode.

Nick Tiller-Working to Help People Understand Misinformation

About Nick according to Nick: Dr. Nick Tiller is a physiologist, researcher, and science communicator who specializes in exercise science and the myths of the modern wellness industry. He is a research associate at the Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, and the author of The Skeptic’s Guide to Sports Science — named one of the “Best Sports Science Books of All Time.” He is a regular contributor to Skeptical Inquirer, UltraRunning Magazine, and other outlets, where he examines the intersection of health, wellness, and consumer culture. In 2023, he was elected Fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry for his efforts to promote science literacy. When not in the lab or writing, Nick is also an accomplished ultramarathon runner, bringing both professional expertise and lived experience to conversations about health, performance, and the wellness marketplace.

Luke Tasker, an inspiring figure in the triathlon community whose journey from modern pentathlon to triathlon is both unique and motivational. Luke shares his story of how he embraced triathlon with enthusiasm and determination, quickly achieving remarkable success in his new sport. He discusses the mental fortitude required to compete at a high level and the importance of adaptability and resilience in the face of challenges. As he recounts his experiences with training, racing, and the emotional rollercoaster of competition, listeners are treated to valuable lessons that transcend the world of triathlon. Luke’s reflections on goal-setting, overcoming setbacks, and the sheer joy of sport provide a refreshing and relatable perspective for athletes who may be navigating their own journeys in competitive sports. His story serves as an inspiring testament to how diverse athletic backgrounds can lead to unexpected achievements in new sports. Listeners will appreciate his insights on training, the mental challenges of competition, and the importance of setting realistic yet ambitious goals. Luke’s candid reflections on his experiences, including the lessons learned from both victories and setbacks, resonate with athletes of all levels, making this segment both motivational and informative.

Episode takeaways:

• Setting realistic yet challenging goals is crucial for achieving satisfaction in sports.

• Quercetin may help reduce the risk of illness during intense training or racing.

• When analyzing performance, focus on what can be improved for future events.

• Enjoying the training process is key to maintaining motivation and pursuing goals.

• Emotional responses during races are natural; focus on the positives and improvements.

References used for the MMB

Brown, R., Chevalier, G., & Hill, M. (2015). Grounding after moderate eccentric contractions reduces muscle damage. Open access journal of sports medicine, 6, 305–317. https://doi.org/10.2147/OAJSM.S87970

• Randomized, blinded study of the effect of grounding or sham-grounding in healthy young adult male subjects (n=32) given calf-raises. 

• No sig difference between sham and grounded groups in pain ratings, CBCs, lymphocyte counts, monocyte counts, basophil counts, red blood cell counts, red cell distribution width, hemoglobin, hematocrit, bilirubin, or platelets. 

• There was a sig difference between sham and grounded groups in creatine kinase (a measure of muscle damage).

Chevalier, G., Sinatra, S. T., Oschman, J. L., & Delany, R. M. (2013). Earthing (grounding) the human body reduces blood viscosity-a major factor in cardiovascular disease. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), 19(2), 102–110. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2011.0820

• n=10 pilot study with grounding treatment tested pain (only 3 people reported pain prior to grounding, all of which had alleviated pain after grounding), zeta potential (maintains the fluidity of blood by preventing RBC aggregation) and RBC velocity, which did show significant differences before and after grounding.

Notes:

There is limited but suggestive evidence supporting the concept of grounding (earthing) as a means to influence human physiology and potentially improve certain health outcomes. Several small-scale studies and pilot trials have reported that grounding may result in measurable changes in parameters such as blood viscosity, blood pressure, cortisol rhythms, sleep quality, pain, stress, and mood.[1-5] For example, grounding has been associated with reduced blood viscosity and red blood cell aggregation, which could theoretically lower cardiovascular risk.[1] Other studies have reported improvements in sleep quality and normalization of cortisol profiles in individuals with sleep dysfunction and stress.[3][6]

Grounding interventions in these studies typically involved direct skin contact with the earth or the use of conductive devices simulating such contact for periods ranging from 40 minutes to several hours daily.[2][5] Some evidence also suggests potential benefits for blood pressure control in hypertensive patients and improvements in mood and subjective well-being.[2][4]

However, it is important to note that the majority of available studies are small, non-randomized, or pilot in nature, and published in journals focused on complementary and alternative medicine. There is currently no consensus or formal recommendation from major medical societies or guideline committees regarding grounding as a standard clinical intervention. Larger, well-controlled trials are needed to establish efficacy, safety, and clinical relevance.

In summary, while preliminary data indicate possible physiological and symptomatic benefits of grounding, robust evidence and guideline endorsement are lacking, and grounding should not be considered a substitute for evidence-based medical therapies.[1-5]

1. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (New York, N.Y.). 2013;19(2):102-10. doi:10.1089/acm.2011.0820.

2. Grounding Patients With Hypertension Improves Blood Pressure: A Case History Series Study. Elkin HK, Winter A. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. 2018;24(6):46-50.

3. The Biologic Effects of Grounding the Human Body During Sleep as Measured by Cortisol Levels and Subjective Reporting of Sleep, Pain, and Stress. Ghaly M, Teplitz D. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (New York, N.Y.). 2004;10(5):767-76. doi:10.1089/acm.2004.10.767.

4. The Effect of Grounding the Human Body on Mood. Chevalier G. Psychological Reports. 2015;116(2):534-42. doi:10.2466/06.PR0.116k21w5.

5. Changes in Pulse Rate, Respiratory Rate, Blood Oxygenation, Perfusion Index, Skin Conductance, and Their Variability Induced During and After Grounding Human Subjects for 40 Minutes. Chevalier G. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (New York, N.Y.). 2010;16(1):81-7. doi:10.1089/acm.2009.0278. 

6. Effect of Earthing Mats on Sleep Quality in Rats. Ye M, Jeong W, Yu HJ, et al. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2024;25(18):9791. doi:10.3390/ijms25189791.

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