Is PEMF Therapy Dangerous? Here's What The Research Shows...
As PEMF therapy is becoming more popular there are many new companies claiming to have the best PEMF therapy device. Many of these companies claim their PEMF devices are more effective because they are more powerful, many boasting about their machines producing several hundred to hundreds of thousands of Gauss.
The short answer is no! Multiple studies prove more powerful PEMF devices using extremely higher intensity (higher gauss levels) are less effective and in some cases are dangerous with the potential to cause harm. We will go over this conclusive evidence based on multiple published scientific studies that this is the fact.
Our Healthy Wave PEMF mats are designed with effectiveness and safety in mind based on what the scientific research has shown. This is why we have kept our features to only use the lower intensities (3 gauss for our regular mats, 8-12 gauss for our high intensity models and 0.3-3 gauss in our multiwave models) and lower frequencies (0.25-30Hz) as they have proven to be as or more effective then higher intensities and high frequencies while posing no unnecessary risks.
Before getting into the details of these studies you need to understand what the power levels of these PEMFs are and the selection process of these studies.
Units of measurement for PEMF devices
The “power” or “intensity” of the machines refers to the strength of the magnetic field they produce. The unit this is commonly measured in is Milligauss (mG), Gauss (G) and Millitesla (mT).
1000 Milligauss (mG) = 1 Gauss (G)
10 Gauss (G) = 1 Millitesla (mT)
You can use this convenient calculator if you are having trouble with the conversions
http://www.convertworld.com/en/magnetic-field/gauss.html
Most commonly Milligauss and Gauss and for consistency purposes I only be using the measurement of Gauss.
Selection of PEMF Research Studies
There are thousands of studies on PEMF’s but most are individual case studies. Our team went through hundreds of studies looking for ones comparing different intensity levels under the same control group. There is a very limited amount available but they give us a lot of important information to understanding what PEMF intensity will be the most effective.
For example these are studies that compared the effectiveness of a PEMF at 1 Gauss to a PEMF 10 Gauss both against a control group.
This is an important aspect to look at as while both PEMFs may be effective one may be significantly more effective than the other. They can also tell us at what level PEMFs become ineffective and eventually when they can be detrimental.
PEMF Research Study 1:
Pulsed electromagnetic fields promote osteoblast mineralization and maturation needing the existence of primary cilia.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25661534
This study compared the effectiveness of a PEMF at 6 Gauss and 36 Gauss in treating osteoporosis. Looking at osteoporosis is very significant because PEMF therapy is already an approved therapy for osteoporosis. This gives us a great insight of what level the PEMF therapy was more effective.
The conclusion was while both PEMF intensities were effective the PEMF at 6 Gauss was significantly more effective.
“All intensity groups stimulated proliferation significantly with the highest effect at 0.6 mT.”
This is very clear that while both intensities were effective the lower intensity tested was more effective.
PEMF Research Study 2:
In vitro functional response of human tendon cells to different dosages of low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24957914
This study examined tendon cells using a PEMF at 15 Guass and 30 Gauss. The significance of testing tendon cells is it helps determine the effectiveness when using PEMFs towards people with chronic tendinopathy which is a degenerative process causing pain and disability.
The conclusion was while both intensities were effective but the lower intensity gave the best results.
“CONCLUSIONS: 1.5 mT-PEMF treatment was able to give the best results in in vitro healthy human tendon cell culture. “
While in this study the tendon cells were isolated form the human body it is still clear the lower intensity was more effective.
PEMF Research Study 3:
Evaluation of treatment by pulsed electromagnetic fields in a rabbit hyphema model.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12592054
This study tested the effects of higher intensity PEMFs, 100 Guass and 200 Guass, on rabbits in relation to wound healing and inflammation in the eye.
The conclusion was at 100 Guass the rabbits did heal in certain areas better but were identical to the control in others. While the PEMF at 200 Gauss there was an increased complication rate and resorption time.
“In the 20-mT group, the complication rate and the resorption time was increased versus the control group.”
While there was minor positive results using 100 Gauss the rabbits actually started experiencing negative effects with 200 Gauss. It should also be noted that the exposure time was very short in comparison to the majority of studies. We can draw the conclusion that at high intensity PEMFs can potentially be dangerous.
This should be very concerning as many of the PEMF devices on the market have much higher intensities then 200 Gauss.
PEMF Research Study 4:
Effect of long-term pulsed electromagnetic field exposure on hepatic and immunologic functions of rats.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25910613
In the continuation in examining the potentially harmful effects of high intensity PEMFs this next study explores the long term effects using high intensity PEMFs (50, 100 & 200 Gauss) on Rats and the impact on their immunologic functions.
The conclusion was after 10 weeks the rats exposed to 100 Gauss and 200 Gauss PEMFs experienced oxidative damage to their livers and spleens. There were no negative or positive results reported about the rats exposed to 50 Gauss.
“ CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that long-term exposure to PEMF can lead to oxidative damage of the liver and spleen. “
This is conclusive proof that in this scenario high intensity PEMFs (100 & 200 Gauss) are harmful. At a moderately high intensity (50 Gauss) at least there were no damaging effects but there were no positive effects either. With the information from this study and the previous study you can start to see higher intensity PEMFs are not beneficial and can actually cause harm.
PEMF Research Study 5:
Pulsed electromagnetic field may accelerate in vitro endochondral ossification.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25358461
In laymen’s terms this study looked at the bone formation during fetal development as it highly relates to the healing of bones which other studies have proven PEMFs to be effective for. This study compared PEMF’s with intensities of 10, 20 and 50 Gauss.
The conclusion was 10 Gauss PEMF was the most effective compared to 20 Gauss and 50 Gauss.
“only PEMF at 1 mT directed the differentiation of chondrogenic-induced stem cell pellets to the hypertrophic stage and promoted osteogenic differentiation.”
We can draw the conclusion that the lowest PEMF tested (10 gauss) was the most effective.
PEMF Research Study 6:
[Effect of pulsed electromagnetic field with different frequencies on the proliferation, apoptosis and migration of human ovarian cancer cells].
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22616177
While this study does not specifically compare intensity levels of PEMFs it does debunk several myths relating to the intensity levels needed in relation to cancer, PEMF frequency and PEMF wave types. This study looks at the effects on ovarian cancer with a PEMF of 10 Gauss at frequencies of 8Hz, 16Hz, 32Hz and 64Hz using a sinusoidal wave.
The conclusion was 10 Gauss at 8Hz was the most effective in inhibiting the growth of ovarian cancer cells and killing them off. They already experienced a decreasing effect when the frequency was raised to 16Hz.This debunks several important myths.
“The data showed that exposure to PEMF of 1 mT, 8 Hz for 3 days could significantly inhibit the proliferation of SKOV3 cells and induce the apoptosis of the cells.”
Myth 1: When using PEMF to treat cancer you need a very high intensity and a higher frequency.Fact: This study showed positive results at a relatively low intensity (10gauss) and found the lowest frequency 8Hz was the most effective.
Myth 2: Many companies claim their unique wave types are the most effective and many claim sinusoidal wave do not work.
Fact: This study proves a basic sinusoidal wave can actually stop cancer growth. Any type of PEMF will work as long as it is pulsed.
We can conclude that a lower intensity PEMF can even be effective for cancer. Additionally we know 8Hz is the most effective for cancer and sinusoidal wave do create effective PEMFs.
PEMF Research Study 7:
Proteoglycan synthesis in bovine articular cartilage explants exposed to different low-frequency low-energy pulsed electromagnetic fields.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16905341
This study examines the effects of PEMFs are various lengths, intensities on the synthesis of bovine cartilage. PEMFs were tested for periods of 1, 2, 9, & 24 Hours and at 5, 10, 15 & 20 Gauss.
The conclusion was 15 Gauss was the most effective indicating diminishing returns when the intensity was increased to 20 Gauss. Additionally synthesis was significantly increased the longer the PEMFs were exposed.
“PEMF exposure significantly increased PG synthesis ranging from 12% at 4 h to 17% at 24 h of exposure.” “PEMF-exposed explants compared to controls, with maximal effect at 1.5 mT. “Again we start seeing diminishing returns even at moderate increases of PEMF intensity.
PEMF Research Study 8:
Inhibition of proliferation of human lymphoma cells U937 by a 50 Hz electromagnetic field.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11936855
This study is examining at what point certain cancer cells (lymphoma U937)stop multiplying using PEMFs. A range of PEMF’s from 3 - 47 Gauss were tested.
The conclusion was at intensities greater than 25 Gauss inhibit the cell division of lymphoma U937 cells.
“stronger fields (> or =2.5 mT) inhibit cell division.”
This is a very important as it gives us an understanding at specific intensity PEMFs start inhibiting cell growth. While this is a positive when looking at cancer, like in this study, you have to consider this is the point when PEMFs can actually start inhibiting the growth of cells and potentially killing them. Previous studies has shown higher intensities can cause damage to cells but this study gives insight at what intensity PEMFs start to do this.
PEMF Research Study 9:
Pulsed electromagnetic fields promote bone formation around dental implants inserted into the femur of rabbits.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11168228
This study examines different intensity of PEMFs in relation to bone growth on rabbits using dental implants. The study tested PEMF’s at the intensity levels of 2, 3 and 8 Gauss and measured the amount of newly formed bone around the implants after 1, 2 and 4 weeks.
The conclusion was after 2 weeks there was the greatest bone growth occurred from the PEMF’s at 2-3 Gauss compared to 8 Gauss.
“Both the bone contact ratio and bone area ratio of the 0.2 mT- and 0.3 mT-treated femurs were significantly larger than the respective value of the 0.8 mT-treated femur”
This study is significant as the testing was done on live animals rather than cell cultures which the majority of studies are done on. We also see that even at low to moderate PEMF intensities, such as 8 Gauss, diminishing returns can start to occur.
Conclusions of PEMF Studies
These studies make it very clear that at a certain intensity PEMF’s become less effective and at a high enough intensity they can start having negative effects. It is difficult to figure out the perfect PEMF intensity due to limitations in the studies including.
- There are a limited number of studies comparing different intensities of PEMFs.
- The majority of the studies only tested a limited range of intensities.
- If the lowest intensity was found to be most effective in the study it is possible a lower intensity could be more effective if it was tested.
- The majority of studies tested cell cultures which would not measure the impact of that intensity of PEMF of the rest of the body.
- The studies only tested the PEMFs over a limited amount of time.
We can draw some reasonable conclusion though.
- High intensities can be dangerous and have negative effects. While there are studies that have shown positive results using high intensities for specific conditions these applications are under laboratory controls. It is also possible while they help in one area they may be causing damage in another. Unless under proper medical supervision these high intensity PEMF’s should not be used, the risks they carry greatly outweigh the benefits. There is absolutely no reason a personal home unit should produce these high level intensity PEMFs.
It comes down to that using high intensity PEMF’s may have some benefit but are more likely to have little to no benefit, compared to lower PEMFs, and also carry the potential to cause harm. Since low intensity PEMFs are already proven effective there is no reason to have a home unit with high intensities.
High intensity PEMF’s only place should be under medical supervision when treating serious conditions such as cancer, leukemia, tumors and other very seriously ailments.
- Low intensity PEMF’s are more effect. Based on these comparative studies it is abundantly clear using lower PEMFs, under 15 Gauss, are more effective than higher level PEMFs. While slightly higher PEMF’s still carry benefits they are less effective. You should also use a lower intensity PEMF then this for several reasons:
- We cannot isolate specific tissues in our body. When using PEMF therapy it is applied to a large general area. It’s impossible to just target your bones for example.
- We are not using PEMF’s under medical supervision or laboratory controls. In these conditions PEMFs are applied to specific limited amounts of time. Most PEMF devices for home use are used every day; this level of use is not explored in the studies.
- Many other studies have shown positive results using much lower intensities, less than 1 gauss. Very high intensities are just not required.
Another important fact to consider is the majority of the benefits of PEMF therapy surround regenerating and repairing cells. Study 8 showed at 25 Gauss PEMFs can stop cell division of cancer cells. While this is good if you want to stop cancer cells consider the fact it could slow down other cells to. This is supported by the fact that many of the studies show intensity levels at 25 Gauss and higher are less effective than intensities lower than 25 Gauss. At these higher intensities the regenerative and repairing benefits of PEMF therapy start to diminish.
What Intensity is best for PEMF Devices?
While there is no clear cut answer as every condition seems to benefit at different intensity levels we can determine an optimal range to use. Our conclusion is the ideal PEMF intensity should be less than 15 Gauss. We want to provide the most overall benefits, as explained earlier we cannot target specific tissues, so we want an intensity that provides therapeutic benefits at all levels. As previously stated the highest effective PEMFs intensities are at about 15 Gauss with many have optimal effectiveness at a few gauss or less. Lower intensity PEMFs (less than 15 gauss) are more beneficial and the research conclusively supports it. This is supported by Nasa who concluded “high intensities are NOT more effective. Low intensity, low frequency with rapid of rise and fall (10 hz) wave forms heal faster”.
The Healthy Wave PEMF mats were designed based around this research and more. We only want to deliver you the most optimal PEMF therapy experience which is why all our PEMF mats have low intensities 0-12 Gauss and 0.25-30Hz frequency range. This range of intensities and frequencies provide you the ideal range for PEMF therapy. We do not include higher intensities or frequencies because they do not add additional benefits and as we can see based on the scientific evidence are likely less effective.