Does earthing (grounding) actually work for your health?
There are preliminary indications that earthing may improve pain, fatigue and sleep, but the studies are still too small and insufficiently independent to support firm conclusions. Walking barefoot outdoors carries no known risks, so trying it is perfectly fine; but do not expect a proven miracle cure.
Earthing (or 'grounding') means direct physical contact with the earth's surface: for example, walking barefoot or sleeping on a conductive system. Several small studies and reviews report reductions in inflammatory markers, pain and sleep problems, along with improved mood and higher energy levels. The strongest study in this collection is a small double-blind RCT involving sixteen massage therapists: four weeks of 'grounded' working and sleeping produced significant improvements in fatigue, pain and physical functioning compared with the ungrounded period. Some effects were still present a month after the study ended.
Yet this body of research has a clear problem: its foundation is narrow. Sixteen participants is too few to draw firm conclusions, and most of the reviews come from the same research group that also promotes the proposed mechanisms. Independent large-scale studies are entirely lacking.
In the laboratory, grounded energy factories within cells (mitochondria) showed 5 to 11 percent greater energy production and 22 to 33 percent less harmful waste products. That is a striking finding, but it comes from a test conducted outside the body. Whether this also occurs in living humans has not yet been investigated.
For Alzheimer's disease and cardiovascular health, the evidence remains at the level of theorising. The authors themselves acknowledge that no clinical trials have been conducted in Alzheimer's patients at all. Some of the available reviews were also published in a special themed issue on earthing, which increases the likelihood that positive results have been over-represented.
All claims are based on small studies (n=16 in the only RCT), narrative and non-independent reviews, and one laboratory study. No large independent RCTs are available. Possible publication bias due to clustering in a themed issue.
How healthy is meditation, and what does it actually do for you?
Meditation has a moderate but well-demonstrated effect on depression, anxiety and pain, and can safely be combined with other treatments. For other health claims the evidence is still too thin to rely on.
Is intermittent fasting good for longevity?
Intermittent fasting improves health markers such as weight and insulin sensitivity, but whether it also makes you live longer has not yet been proven in humans. It is worth considering, but discuss it with your doctor first if you belong to a risk group.
Does whole-body cryotherapy actually work for your health?
For specific applications, such as pain following knee surgery and possibly improved lipid levels, WBC shows small positive signals, but the evidence is too thin and too inconsistent to recommend it broadly. If you still want to try it, be aware that side effects such as skin frostbite are possible and that no standard protocol exists.
Does taking iron help, or is it actually a risk?
Taking iron clearly helps if you have a deficiency or anaemia, but is pointless and potentially risky if that is not the case. Have your iron levels checked before starting supplements.
Is donating blood regularly good for your health?
Regular blood donation is safe for many people, but it can deplete your iron stores, especially if you menstruate or donate frequently. Have your ferritin level checked regularly and discuss your donation frequency with your doctor if you want to become pregnant or are feeling tired.
Does stem cell therapy work against ageing in humans?
For one specific application, physical frailty in older adults, there is a first randomised trial with a positive result; for all other ageing-related applications it is too early for firm statements, and stem cell therapy cannot yet be considered a proven anti-ageing treatment.