Key Takeaway
Early study showing grounding during sleep normalized cortisol profiles and improved subjective sleep, pain, and stress in participants.
Summary
One of the earliest grounding studies, this research examined the effects of sleeping grounded on cortisol secretion and subjective symptoms. Participants slept on carbon fiber mattress pads connected to earth ground.
The study found that grounding resynchronized cortisol secretion toward the normal circadian pattern. Participants also reported improvements in sleep quality, pain levels, and stress. These findings laid the groundwork for subsequent grounding research.
As a pioneering study, it has methodological limitations but provided initial evidence that grounding has measurable physiological effects.
Methods
- 12 subjects with sleep, pain, and stress complaints
- 8 weeks sleeping grounded
- 24-hour cortisol profiles via saliva
- Subjective symptom questionnaires
Key Results
- Cortisol rhythms normalized
- Sleep quality improved
- Pain levels decreased
- Stress reduced
Limitations
- Small sample (n=12)
- No control group
- Self-selected participants with complaints
- Subjective measures prone to bias