The Benefits of Negative Ions: Don’t Let the Name Fool You, These Negative Elements Produce Positive Vibes!
There are so many benefits of the negative ion. One of the most important benefits of negative ions is that they will help people have a better mood.
It is believed that they can aid people cope with depression and stress. They can also boost one’s energy.
What Are Negative Ions?
Negative ions are molecules or particles that are floating in the air. They are electrically charged.
They are invisible, odorless and tasteless. Yet, they can make a big difference in your body!
Look:
When negative ions reach a person’s bloodstream, they produce biochemical reactions that increase the presence of mood chemical serotonin. This results in the alleviation of depression, stress relief, and a spike in daytime energy.
Let’s dig deeper:
According to science, ions are molecules that have either lost or gained an electrical charge. Negative ions are molecules that have been charged with electricity.
The electrical charge could happen naturally through various natural phenomena.
Negative ions naturally exist through the following:
- Ultraviolet rays from sunlight.
- Thunder or lightning.
- Water collision like in a waterfall or waves.
- Growth process in plants.
Basically:
When you are exposed to negative ions, you experience positive effects. Did you notice how happy you were the last time you went to the beach?
How about that time you went on a hike on the mountain? Did you notice how sunlight that hit your face made you extremely euphoric?
There may be other elements in place considering that fresh air will do you good. Or, it could just be because of the negative ions present in the air.
That’s right!
Tens of thousands of ions are believed to be present in the air in beaches and mountains. The home or office may have between dozens and hundreds of negative ions.
This could be the reason why you are not as happy in the office as you are when you are with nature. In some cases, closed buildings may even contain zero negative ions.
Benefits of Negative Ions
Now that we know that the presence of negative ions is better for our mood and generally mental and emotional well-being, how do they specifically help us?
1. They neutralize free radicals
Free radicals are unstable molecules. They can damage the cells in the body, and they are linked to diseases like cancer, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, and many others.
Free radicals are the result of chemical processes. However, negative ions protect the cells from being damaged by free radicals.
2. Good for the body
Negative ions can help improve our immune system. How? By strengthening our immunity cells.
We become more energetic and healthy when our immunity cells are strong. This also results in the ability to destroy pathogens, which are bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms that can make us sick.
3. Purify the blood
Negative ions increase the holding capacity of the blood for oxygen. This will help vitalize the cells as well as improve metabolism.
4. Promote deep sleep
Still in relation to the pumping of oxygen in the body, negative ions increase the flow of oxygen to the brain. This has a positive effect on sleep.
5. Increase the level of serotonin
Serotonin is also referred to as the happy chemical. So an increased level of serotonin improves a person’s mood or gives us that happy feeling.
This will then lead us to the next important topic:
Negative Ions Help Alleviate Depression
Many researchers support the theory that negative ions help people who are suffering from depression – either chronic depression or seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Researchers noted that at least 30 minutes of exposure to negative ions help people that have SAD. In order to alleviate chronic depression, people need to have longer exposure to negative ions.
Although:
There were no direct links between negative ions and their effect on mental health. Similarly, there was no evidence that would back theories that negative ions could lower blood pressure or improve breathing.
However:
There were studies that suggest that negative ions can reduce pollution particles by as much as 97%. They also serve as protection against pollution.
This means that there will be a lower chance for you to inhale pollutants that will make you cough, sneeze or develop throat irritation.
This is what it means to inhale fresh air and immediately be energized! This is why you open a window when you feel stuffy inside the building.
It is worth noting:
Air conditioning reduces the number of negative ions in the atmosphere.
How Do You Increase Negative Ions in the Atmoshphere?
You know how when you are so tired from work and you just crave a hot shower? And then after that hot shower, you feel energized!
Well, negative ions have a lot to do with that. A hot shower plus the steam from the shower produce negative ions.
This is also the reason why a hot shower is great in the morning because it can help you wake up!
Sadly…
Our homes are also furnished with things that could produce positive ions. In fact, negative ions at home are usually only produced in the bathroom.
Astonishing, isn’t it?
Now you know why you feel more down or stressed in the office than when you are outside. It is not just the actual work that is getting you wound up–positive ions from the computer and air conditioner are also factors.
Good news:
There are negative ion generators you can have at home to improve your mood!
What are examples of negative ion generators?
1. Air purifiers
Also called air ioniser, the air purifier, as the name suggests, aims to cleanse the air in an enclosed space. The product uses high voltage in order to ionise or electrically charge air molecules.
The air purifier designed to also produce negative ions, will help combat germs in the atmosphere. This is particularly necessary in this time where people are panicking over the coronavirus, which causes COVID-19.
2. Wearable technology
There is also a wearable negative ion, which is a portable negative ion generator. It is small and can be worn around your neck with the use of a string or a lanyard.
This will help you have better air quality wherever you go. Not only that, you will also have negative ions that produce positive vibes wherever you go!
3. SAD lamp
As the name suggests, this product helps people cope with SAD. There are also some brands that manufacture SAD lamps that double as negative ions generators.
This has three advantages: it serves as light, it helps cope with depression, and it produces good vibes.
4. Himalayan salt lamp
This is a decorative lamp that is said to emit negative ions. It is made out of pink Himalayan salt.
There is little evidence that supports the notion that the lamp produces enough negative ions to have an effect on people. However, it can purify the air so that should be enough reason to buy the lamp.
Even better! The lamp is quite beautiful and will elevate the look of the room.
FAQs
Can negative ions kill viruses?
This is an important question right now concerning the panic brought about by the coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 or the coronavirus disease 2019.
In a way, negative ions kill viruses by strengthening the immunity cells. It is the immunity cells that destroy the virus as well as other germs.
Will negative ions cure cancer?
No. There is no proof that negative ions will cure cancer.
Does negative ion therapy work?
There is no scientific evidence that supports negative ion therapy. If it is working on some people, perhaps this doesn’t have anything to do with ions but more on the effects of positive thinking.
If you believe that negative ion therapy works in making you happy, then you will be happy because of your belief system.
If negative ions are good, are positive ions better?
Don’t be fooled by the name. Negative ions are good and positive ions are bad. Positive ions are molecules that lose an electron or two–maybe even more.
This prompts the positive charge. An example of positive ions are carbon dioxide molecules, which have lost electrons.
Increased presence of positive ions will result in lack of energy as well as a negative turn in one’s mood.
You Might Also Like
Do you need things that can produce negative ions in your home? Then you should check out my list of Best Negative Ion Generators of the year.
Negative ions can help people suffering from seasonal affective disorder. But there are other treatments. Check out my blog about it here.
Are you suffering from SAD? You might need some light therapy. Here are the Best SAD Lamps of the year.
Useful Resources
- What are Negative Ions and How Do They Promote Health? – Guardian Liberty Voice
- Negative Ions for Daily Positivity – The Star
- Salt Lamp Health Claims: Real or Not? – Montevideo American News
Sav
Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder – What Is it?
Seasonal Depression Treatment
The Best Places to Live for Sufferers of SAD: Move to Paradise!
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