Toxins 101: What the Heck are EMFs?

Jul 6, 2022 | Toxins 101

If you’ve been in the wellness space, you’ve likely heard the term “EMFs” before, but for some of you this could be a whole new topic. Unlike the previous toxins I’ve shared that are more chemical in nature, but EMFs are more of a “technology toxin” and they aren’t as easy to identify because they are invisible and we’ve gotten so used to their ever-presence that we may not know what our bodies feel like without them. 

What are EMFs?

EMFs, or electromagnetic fields, can be magnetic, electrical, or radio frequency that come from both the earth and man-made products. If you’ve heard of the terms grounding or earthing, this is one way this energy actually benefits the body (from nature), but our concern is the growing amount of man-made EMFs in our daily lives.

What’s the Issue with EMFs?

Research has found that EMFs are linked to negative health effects and some of the waves have even been classified as possible carcinogens (aka cancer-causers). These frequencies disrupt and damage our bodies on a cellular level and research suggests the damage is occurring constantly throughout the day.

You may have heard the phrase “the dose makes the poison” and this can be considered true with our exposure to EMFs now vs. in the past. One Swedish scientist found that we now are exposed to 1 Quintillion (1,000,000,000,000,000,000) times more radio frequencies than we were just 10 YEARS AGO!

EMFs also impact babies + children more than adults and research has shown that the frequencies are absorbed more deeply into a children’s brain in comparison to an adult.

What Gives Off EMFs?

The following list are just some of the items that give off EMF radiation, but overall anything that is connected to cell towers, electrically, wirelessly, by bluetooth or wifi will give off some degree of EMF exposure:

  • Wireless internet routers
  • All Smartphones; especially those with 5G– check if yours is connected- if it is, see about disabling it 
  • Computers
  • Anything that is wireless or bluetooth- AirPods, “smart” systems- GoogleHome, Alexa, Nest Thermostat, etc.
  • Wireless baby devices- the Owlet, wireless baby monitors
  • Appliances- microwaves, refrigerators, etc.
  • Electric plugs + items that are plugged in (even if not turned on)
  • Power lines + Cellphone towers
  • Smart Meters on your home
  • Electric blankets
  • Tanning beds
  • X-Rays or Radiation therapy

What are Symptoms of EMF Exposure?

One issue is that it is so hard to know what our body feels like without them that many people don’t even realize the effect that they are having. They affect everyone differently, but those with a high heavy metal burden may be more impacted than others. Some of the main symptoms include:

  • Inflammation throughout the body
  • Insomnia- EMFs impact melatonin levels
  • Headaches
  • Hormone issues
  • Tinnitus or ringing in the ears
  • Brain fog + memory/cognitive issues
  • Heart palpitations
  • Arthritis + joint pain
  • Cancer
  • Reactivation of dormant viruses like EBV

How Do I Measure My EMF Exposure?

Unless you’re a nerd like me and want to buy a meter, you really can’t detect them without professional help or an at-home meter (see below). Many areas are starting to offer EMF in-home consultations to figure out your home’s load, but personally I bought a cheaper-end EMF meter just to test where and what EMFs were in my home. 

I was floored to find that one of the highest sources was actually my Somavedic device, which I bought a few years ago to REDUCE my exposure to EMFs (here is a great article on this). It also helped me to visually see just how much dirty electricity was going on in my home, from my appliances and the things I COULD control.

Don’t Fall for EMF Product Claims 

Because this has become a popular topic, there are dozens of companies starting to release EMF-protective devices, stickers, whole-home shields, pendants, crystals/rocks, etc. that AREN’T being found to actually work. Trust me, like I mentioned earlier I fell for the Somavedic, but soon learned I would have more success focusing on reducing my exposure (see list below) versus spending money on products that claim to help. 

This principle is similar to how I approach health + healing- instead of taking medications or supplements to cover up deep-seeded issues and reduce symptoms, I strive to help clients get to the ROOT of their health issues and heal their body inside-out. Same goes when it comes to EMFs- reducing exposure is going to be more effective than adding in any EMF device.

However, if you do want options for products, there are some that trusted EMF experts have found to work so I recommend checking the links for those experts above and the products they recommend (if any).

How Do I Reduce My Exposure to EMFs?

The unfortunate reality is that we simply can’t get away from EMFs and live in this modern world (as I type I’m sitting by my laptop, my bluetooth mouse and keyboard, and electrical charging strips, all while connected to wifi) but the good news is that we CAN learn how to mindfully reduce our exposure. 

  • Cell Phones: put on speaker phone when dialing out + avoid calling with low to no signal- that emits more radiation trying to connect.
    • Do NOT carry a phone in your pocket, bra, sock or anywhere else next to your body. If you must, keep it on airplane mode while you do so.
    • Do NOT keep a cell phone near your head/body overnight. Try to keep it at least across the room or out in another location when sleeping.

  • Do not keep Laptop on your lap
    • Avoid placing the laptop directly on your lap. If you work like this often, get an EMF shield that you can put between you and the laptop.
  • Turn off Wifi at Night + Keep Wireless Router far from bedrooms
    • Especially if sleep is an issue for anyone in your home, the simple task of turning off your wifi can help you all sleep more soundly and reduce the constant wifi EMFs during the night while you rest. 
      • Router energy is similar to light- just like a light would impact sleep (and reduce melatonin), the constant radiation tells the body to stay “on”
      • Simply unplug it or you can put it on a simple timer like this or get a remote to turn it off at your convenience.
    • Additionally, place your modem/router as far as possible from locations where you spend significant time (bedrooms, desks, etc.)
      • If you’re in the market for a new wifi router, check out this EMF-Free one that only emits when in use
      • An even better choice would be to go hardwired for the internet with your TV, computers, etc.
  • Determine if you have a SmartMeter on your home
    • If you aren’t sure if you have one or not, call your utility company to find out if you have a smart meter. If you do, see if there is an opt-out program to get a traditional meter instead.
      • If you can’t opt-out, think about getting a smart meter guard which is a cover you can place over your SmartMeter. This will block 90-95% of the radiation emitted.
  • Go Outside Barefoot on Grass Daily (Grounding)
    • Grounding is the direct contact of the skin onto the surface of the earth- even as little as 10 minutes a day can help bring your body back into balance and reduce stress.

  • Travel Tips
    • Traveling can be a major source of EMF exposure- on planes, in hotels, and even in a car.
    • Avoid using WiFi while on a plan- the further it gets from the towers, the higher the exposure to EMFs
    • Take binders like ViRadChem Binder from Cellcore during and after a flight to help with radiation
    • Buy an EMF shielding blanket and take it with you
    • Sit as far back from the cockpit as possible and try to board the plane last to reduce time spent inside

  • Supplements

Additional Resources

If this is still a new topic and you want more information, check out the following resources: