Do “Negative Ions” Have Positive Benefits?

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The answer to that question, believe it or not, is YES. Simply put, there is nothing good about positive ions and there is everything good about negative ions. Confused? Let’s start with the basics.

Negative vs. Positive

In nature, air molecules break apart due to sunlight, radiation and moving air and water. The molecules either gain or lose an electrical charge, thus creating both negative and positive ions. These charged particles are odorless, tasteless and invisible, encompassing the air we breathe. Here is where it gets tricky. When the supply of negative ions is increased, physical and mental comforts are as well. Conversely, the opposite is the case regarding positive ions. Yes, the term is misleading. Any sort of electrical activity such as computers, televisions, microwave ovens, cell phones or even energy-saving fluorescent lights are known to exert heavy doses of positive ions into the surrounding air.

With all those “creature comforts” it’s no wonder that modern lifestyles have increased our exposure to positive ions significantly, therefore severely affecting our bodies in a negative way. According to experts, positive ions take away our good sense and impose bad dispositions. However, negative ions counteract those nasty side effects and help re-adjust our internal switch. It is believed that negative ions increase serotonin and the flow of oxygen to the brain, helping to improve performance, circulation, flexibility, and balance – as well as boost energy, relieve stress and alleviate depression without any side effects. Not to mention the latest research suggests that negative ions can have a therapeutic effect on those under physiological stress from operating computers.

Sounds almost too good to be true!

The Power of Your Environment

Most people experience a feeling of exhilaration while at the beach. Forests, waterfalls and thunderstorms have a similar invigorating effect. Ever wonder why these places make us feel so euphoric? Of course, the soothing sounds of ocean waves or the simplicity of nature are contributors; however, the true answer lies with negative ions, otherwise referred to as “vitamins of the air.” Tens of thousands of negative ions are emitted in these environments, compared to the average home or office that sometimes does not emit any negative ions at all.

Pierce J. Howard, PhD, author of The Owners Manual for the Brain: Everyday Applications from Mind Brain Research and director of research at the Center for Applied Cognitive Sciences in Charlotte, N.C. says, “Generally speaking, negative ions increase the flow of oxygen to the brain; resulting in higher alertness, decreased drowsiness, and more mental energy.”

Taking a shower is a nice built-in natural alternative for negative ion accumulation, and so are negative ion generators, albeit somewhat expensive. Consequently, this begs the question: how do we get a healthy dose of negative ions to counteract the plethora of positive ones without spending all day in the shower or at the beach or shelling out copious amounts of money on a negative ion generator? Research shows one of the most effective ways to increase your consumption of negative ions anytime, anywhere is through the largest organ of your body: your skin.

Ion Bands

As many are aware, negative ion bands are extremely popular. Matthew Ryncarz, owner of Fusion Ionz Bands claims, “According to scientific research, 85 percent of negative ions are absorbed through the skin; with these studies in mind, we feel a wristband delivery system is much more effective than air ionization technology due to the fact that the wristband is making direct contact with the skin 24-7.”

People swear by negative ion bands, including many professional athletes. Evidently, there is strong science behind the product. And, as Ryncarz puts it, there is “performance behind science.” The bands have been developed with a mixture that includes titanium, which creates an amazing effect. Why? Well, titanium attracts oxygen and when titanium is held against the skin in the form of a bracelet, it attracts oxygen into the pained and inflamed areas. Studies have shown that titanium relieves pain, increases energy, boosts the immune system and has anti-inflammatory properties as well as healing compounds. Due to the health benefits of titanium bracelets, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is working with the use of a titanium-beaded bracelet to even prevent acid reflux.

The History Behind the Research

Ion research began in the late eighteenth century when it was observed that static electricity affected the growth of plants.  And in 1932, Dr. Clarence W. Hansell of RCA Laboratories was the first to investigate how ions could have an impact on a person’s state of mind. One day he noticed the wild mood swings of a co-worker who worked next to an electrostatic generator; when the generator produced positive ions the co-worker was more ill tempered and when the generator was adjusted to produce negative ions, the co-worker was more content.

Since then, there has been an incredible amount of substantial scientific evidence that validates the benefits of negative ions over the past sixty years. For instance, at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate Hospital and at Northeastern and Frankford hospitals in Philadelphia, Dr. Kornblueh and his associates administered negative-ion treatments to patients suffering from bronchial asthma or hay fever. Of the total, 63 percent experienced partial to complete relief.

Dr. Kornblueh also found evidence, by studying brain-wave patterns, that negative ions tranquilized people in severe pain. Also, after drastically reducing the ionization in plants and vegetables, scientists at the University of California found that growth was stunted and the plants diseased; when the number of negative ions was increased to more than half, there was a significant amount of growth in the plants and vegetables.

Dr. Albert Krueger states that “the ion-depleted air of our offices and homes may cause anxiety, make us uncomfortable and less efficient, and even increase the risk of respiratory infections.” In addition, the lack of negative ions and excessive amount of positive ions prior to a storm has been known to cause headaches, irritability, anxiety and even arthritic symptoms. Just before rain falls, the storm’s onset produces an ion imbalance in our environment creating rage, spikes in blood pressure and difficulty breathing. Then, following the storm, negative ions accumulate and reverse the unhealthy situation; once again restoring the perfection of both mind and body.

In other words, chances are if you’re feeling “out of sorts” a good old-fashioned dose of negative ions could do you a world of good. Under the pressures of modern living, who doesn’t need a little restoration?