How Negative Charges Create Positive Feelings

BayouHealth | By Shannon Dahlum

Over the past few days, conversations have come up with a number of friends and clients about how blissful it feels to escape to the beach, and how much we all wish we could recreate that feeling at home.  As a whole, we seem to live in a state of chronic stress and spending time at the beach or in the mountains is the one time most can agree they feel the most relaxed.  Certainly, leaving behind hectic schedules, alarm clocks and work routines contributes to those peaceful feelings on vacation.  In addition to that, if you feel like there’s just something in the air there that feels special… well, you’re right.

Ions are atoms or molecules that carry an electrical charge, and they’re in the air all around us.  When sufficient force is applied to an atom (which is neutral), electrons are ejected.  An atom or molecule that loses an electron becomes a positively charged ion, called a cation.  When an electron is gained, it becomes a negatively charged ion. 

Negatively charged ions are created in nature when the energy from sunlight, radiation, lightening strikes, wind, or moving water breaks air molecules apart.  The growth process for some plants also naturally creates negative ions.  The air circulating in the mountains, at the beach, and near waterfalls contain tens of thousands of negative ions, while the typical home or office building contains merely dozens or hundreds, at most.  Some indoor environments can have absolutely zero negative ions in the atmosphere. 

When negative ions enter your bloodstream, they’re believed to induce biochemical reactions that increase serotonin (a feel-good neurotransmitter), helping to relieve depression and stress while boosting mood and energy.  There isn’t sufficient scientific evidence to back up that claim, but research does support the fact that exposure to negative ions reduces symptoms of depression in some people and increases cognitive performance. 

A study performed in 2013 found that in people with chronic depression, several hours or more of exposure to negative ions diminished reported symptoms.  The same study also found that in those with seasonal affective disorder, shorter exposures (as little as 30 minutes) was enough to create a noticeable improvement.  According to a 2018 review, there is evidence that negative ions can help regulate sleep and mood, reduce stress, boost immune function, increase carbohydrate and fat metabolism, and kill or inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria, viruses and mold species.  One thing is clear; negative ions have a very positive effect on wellbeing. 

Positively charged ions are also commonly created naturally in the environment by strong winds, dust, humidity, and pollution.  They’re usually present in high concentrations in the atmosphere right before a thunderstorm.  Chemicals (including toxic cleaning chemicals and artificial fragrances and “air fresheners”), pet dander, mold, and even electromagnetic fields emitted by Wifi devices and computers create an overload of positive ions in our indoor environments.   Scientific literature reviews have uncovered that while exposure to negative ions have many beneficial effects on people, positive ion exposure can indeed have the opposite effect.  Lethargy, joint pain, acute respiratory irritation, depression and anxiety, nausea, headaches, general feelings of malaise, etc, can be triggered in environments with a high concentration of positive ions. 

It’s been estimated that as many as one in three people are sensitive to ions in the atmosphere, and experience a visceral reaction to both positive and negative charges in the environment. Are you one of those people who can just sense when a storm is coming?  Then you may be one of them, and the high concentration of positive ions is what you’re feeling.  Maybe you love the feeling outside right after a storm has passed, when negative ions are abundant.  You probably also feel immediately refreshed and invigorated when you step out into the fresh air or roll down a window.  While the physical beauty that surrounds you at the beach and in the mountains is breath taking, perhaps those blissful feelings you experience while there are also because of the negative ions you’re bathed in.  

Clearly, escaping town isn’t always feasible when you need a boost, but you can enhance your exposure to negative ions at home.  First, decrease positive ions as much as possible.  This means avoiding chemical cleaning products and artificial fragrances found in spray or plug in air fresheners or candles.  Frequently change your air filters and keep your environment free of dust and pet dander (sorry, I hate dusting, too), and open your windows as often as possible to prevent the air from growing stagnant inside.  Using essential oil diffusers in place of artificial fragrances releases negative ions, so not only does it make your environment smell nice, it actually contributes to cleaning the air of pathogens.  Other items said to create negative ions are house plants, table top water fountains and Himalayan salt lamps.  There are also many negative ion generating air purifiers on the market.  Remember that moving water generates negative ions, so showering is a simple way to expose yourself at home, too.  Of course, getting outside when the air quality is high is an easy solution, as well.  Step outside right after a storm has passed or take a barefoot morning walk through your yard on dew covered grass. 

The sense of peace you have while you’re laying in the sand isn’t just in your head; it’s in the air all around you.  While you can’t replicate everything about that environment in your own neighborhood, there are some simple things you can do to bring that feeling just little closer to home… at least to hold you over until you move to your oceanfront dream home.