Originally Posted by Dan Burkhart

When I was a kid I had a terrible time with car sickness. My dad fastened a chain to our 52 Chevy to drag on the ground to supposedly solve the problem.
I don’t think it worked.

Originally Posted by PeteHski

Well obviously there will be some commercial products available in almost anything you can think of. But I don't think there is a "Big grounding" industry. It's largely a non-commercial scrientific concept as far as I was aware. The little I've read about it suggests walking barefoot outdoors occasionally to ground yourself. I've read about grounding your bed too, but again hardly a commercial sell.

Originally Posted by MarcusT

That's how gravel bikes started and now there's gravel shoes, shorts, shirts, socks, chammies, glasses, etc. So, yea.
As a kid, we called earthing, playing in the grass, I guess that' why I'm cynical about it. It cost nothing and we did not need special terms or equipment. Just like as a kid we called gravel biking; riding on a dirt road.

Originally Posted by MarcusT

That's how gravel bikes started and now there's gravel shoes, shorts, shirts, socks, chammies, glasses, etc. So, yea.
As a kid, we called earthing, playing in the grass, I guess that' why I'm cynical about it. It cost nothing and we did not need special terms or equipment. Just like as a kid we called gravel biking; riding on a dirt road.

Originally Posted by PeteHski

Yep, we can definitely agree you are cynical. Especially if you think this is how gravel bikes came about!

My take is that a lot of people have simply lost that simple connection with the natural world in their everyday lives and maybe there are some potential negative consequences. It's a bit like taking vitamin D supplements in lieu of getting enough natural sunlight. The science is clearly limited as to the potential benefits of being adequately grounded, but I wouldn't dismiss it as nonsense. The scientific studies carried out on the effect grounding has on blood flow are at least interesting. I agree that the commercial products are a bit pointless since grounding is pretty simple to achieve for free. I have tried it very briefly by walking around barefoot in the garden and it felt pretty good. Certainly felt like a good stress reliever if nothing else.

Originally Posted by wolfchild

Gravel cycling has become a new golf

Originally Posted by rsbob

https://chopra.com/articles/groundin...ts-of-earthing


If it works for her that is great. It sounds a bit woo woo to me, like pyramid power, healing crystals and the like, but different strokes…. The placebo effect does have its merits.

Originally Posted by rsbob

https://chopra.com/articles/groundin...ts-of-earthing


If it works for her that is great. It sounds a bit woo woo to me, like pyramid power, healing crystals and the like, but different strokes…. The placebo effect does have its merits.

Originally Posted by PeteHski

It's not a new concept and I'm not aware of any commercial links.

I came across this idea myself a couple of years ago, but don't actively do it. The science is pretty thin on the ground, but there is some evidence that grounding promotes a healthier cardiovascular system i.e. lower blood pressure, reduced inflammation, improved blood flow, less clotting etc. There are also few more potential subjective benefits relating to mood/depression/anxiety/sleep quality etc. What little science there is tends to be fairly positive toward the potential benefits. I'm not surprised to find pro cycling teams doing it for potential marginal gains.

Here are some quotes from the research:-

"In a small study on grounding and heart health, 10 healthy participants were grounded using patches on the palms of their hands and soles of their feet.
Blood measurements were taken before and after grounding to determine any changes in red blood cell fluidity, which plays a role in heart health. The results indicated significantly less red blood cell clumping after grounding, which suggests benefits for cardiovascular health."

"Another slightly larger study examined the role of grounding on post-exercise muscle damage. Researchers used both grounding patches and mats and measured creatine kinase, white blood cell count, and pain levels before and after grounding.
Blood work indicated that grounding reduced muscle damage and pain in participants. This suggests that grounding may influence healing abilities."

So you can see why pro cyclists might take note.

Originally Posted by PeteHski

I wouldn't quite lump it in with those pagan type things. Static electricity is at least real and measurable. What effect it has on the human body is certainly questionable, but I wouldn't call it woo woo. I could be convinced about the affects on blood flow and clotting etc. given enough scientific evidence, although it doesn't appear to have been studied rigorously enough at this point to make any conclusion either way. I'm certainly not ordering any grounding mats, but I'm not aversed to a bit of barefoot grounding. It can feel strangely relaxing, although I haven't done it since the summer months.

Originally Posted by rsbob

No barefoot earthing today - 32* F today.

There have been studies which have confirmed the calming effects of being out in nature. Could be related, maybe not. As a child, or as.an adult, ever lay on the grass and watch the clouds roll by? Pretty pacific.

Originally Posted by Flip Flop Rider

use to do it all the time as a kid..also almost never wore shoes in the summer..also climbed and sat in a lot of trees

if felt right

meditation could work for her as well

Originally Posted by pdlamb

I'm a trained scientist, but I don't pretend that science as we know it today explains everything.

Look at the way fire science is now looking at native practices similar to "controlled burns" to mitigate wildfires, just in the last 10-15 years. Or the articles on reintroducing beavers, and the benefits to flood control, water retention, and biodiversity in the last five years. Those are a far cry from the Corps of Engineers straightening and armoring (via concrete viaducts) creeks and small rivers when I was younger.​​

Originally Posted by wolfchild

Gravel cycling has become a new golf, personally I am a non-conformist and reject all the marketing BS.. I love riding gravel roads and dirt tracks but I don't call myself a gravel cyclist., I call myself an "all terrain cyclist".

Originally Posted by hevysrf

During my career as a refrigeration tech, I was the "Earth " for 480, 240, and 120v potentials, I cannot recommend it.