What Is Earthing and Does It Work? The Truth About Grounding Tech & Products

From Instagram comments to an IRL remark, “go touch grass” is a snarky call to get off screens and spend more time in nature. But how much does touching the earth — also called earthing or grounding — actually benefit your health? While some studies and the countless companies selling grounding products would have you think it’s a miracle cure, the research isn’t definitive.

Expert Interviewed

Satjit Bhusri, MD - founder of Upper East Side Cardiology & Vein Institute in New York City and Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine (Cardiology) at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical College

Why the grass isn’t greener…than actual medicine

Research on earthing has suggested that electrons from the Earth’s surface can reduce inflammation, speed up healing, minimize blood clumping, and improve immune response, heart rate, and sleep. If access, time, or a hatred of bugs keeps you from the outdoors, there’s no shortage of indoor grounding products supposedly providing similar benefits.

But let’s look a little closer: Many studies are small — 60 or fewer participants — or are funded by the very companies selling grounding technology. More research is needed to prove anything, including understanding how long and often you’d need to practice earthing to benefit. It's also not clear how effective grounding products are compared to actual earth. Many wellness products aren’t FDA-regulated, so trying to determine if a $90 grounding mat works could be an expensive experiment.

But I like going outside.

Let’s be clear: Connecting with nature isn’t bad for you. Research aside, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t feel better after a mental health walk or a break from social media. Spending time in nature has long been a way to be more present, in part because it can provide mental clarity, says Rachel Goldman, PhD, a licensed psychologist and clinical assistant professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

Your move

Before you budget for a grounding mat, keep in mind that earthing hasn't been definitively proven to treat anything. Satjit Bhusri, MD, a cardiologist and founder of Upper East Side Cardiology & Vein Institute, says to think of earthing as a complementary — not replacement — practice to your existing health care.