Alternative medicine therapies are becoming more and more popular as people seek a more natural way to support their health and wellbeing or manage some health condition. Negative ion therapy is one of those approaches. This therapy is popular among famous people too, like Novak Djokovic.
What Are Negative Ions?
Negative ions are molecules that have been charged with electricity and they float in the air or atmosphere. While these biologically active tiny particles are a part of our environment we can’t really see them due to their microscopic size. Just like we can’t see hydrogen peroxide, which also occurs in the air naturally!
In the environment, negative ions are found in many places as there are several generators of these particles in nature. Some of these negative ion generators include ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun.
Other factors that produce negative ions include electricity discharge in the air after a lightning strike or thunderclap. The normal growth process of many plants can act as a generator of negative ions or oxygen atoms. The tiny particles may also occur due to water collisions with itself (e.g. waterfall).
How Are Negative Ions Generated?
Ions are electrically charged particles that can be positive or negative. A positive ion is called cation whereas negative ions are named anions.
When atoms gain or lose electrons the ions are formed. Keeping in mind electrons have a negative electrical charge, an atom that loses one or more of them is positively charged.
On the flip side, an atom that gains one or more electrons is negatively charged. Positively charged particles could be harmful to our health and they are emitted from electronic devices such as cell phones, and fluorescent lights.
Negative ions are created in nature when molecules of air break apart due to several factors including radiation, sunlight, and moving water and air. More precisely, negative ions are generated in the following ways:
- Lenard effect (the separation of electric charges that accompany the aerodynamic breakup of water drops) i.e. whenever water collides itself e.g. ocean shore or waterfalls
- Coal
- Minerals (shellfish, coral, clay, fossil)
- Sun’s UV rays, the most well-known negative ion generator
- Electric discharge (single pole charge: electrification of water and oil, air activator)
- Catalytic equation (oxidized titanium, metal)
- Electromagnetic induction (minus electrical potential, electric potential system, jewel friction)
- Natural mineral (e.g. magnetic iron)
- Radiating substances (radium, radon)
- Corona discharge; an electrical discharge occurring from ionization of fluid
Negative Ions Benefits
Many people decide to give negative ion therapy a try in order to improve their health in a natural way. But, what are the benefits of negative ions?
First, it is important to point out that several studies have explored and confirmed certain benefits of negative ions. At the same time, many claims are yet to be scientifically confirmed.
If you decide to give negative ion therapy a try, the best thing to do is to stick to the benefits that were scientifically proven. These are:
- Improved sleep pattern; the therapy may prevent sleep deprivation and enhance the quality of sleep
- More mental energy levels and better mood thanks to increased levels of mood chemical serotonin
- Stress management; exposure to negative ions can relieve stress levels
- Stronger immune system
- Faster metabolism; negative ions increase the rate at which the body metabolizes fats and carbs
- Antiviral and antibacterial properties; negative ion therapy could induce a significant differences in protecting the body against some microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria, and mold spores even. Negative ions have the potential to inhibit the growth of pathogenic microorganisms including E. coli, tuberculosis, and Staphylococcus aureus
Additionally, negative ions can improve cardiovascular health. You see, negative ions allow for coronary expansion and improve blood flow. As a result, they can improve heart rate, regulate blood pressure, and may relieve angina.