Benefits and Information about PEMF Therapy (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field)

What is PEMF, it's safety and side effects?


By Diana Dannelly - December 2, 2020

Most people trying any new wellness therapy are concerned and should be about its safety and side effects. This article reviews safety and side-effects studies on pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy.

As per published research, PEMF therapy has been proven to be beneficial for a variety of disorders that affect the brain as well as the whole body. The PEMF book covers many the latest trends in research on pulsed electromagnetic field therapy. We also endeavor to find out the extent of healing that happens in various conditions due to PEMF therapy. 

Now, it’s also important that those looking to buy PEMF devices should be aware of the studies and research on the side-effects of PEMF therapy. Most PEMF brands do caution against using PEMF therapy if you have a pre-existing heart condition. Expecting Mothers and children should also not use PEMF therapy as it can affect their growth with long-term use. Please read the contraindications provided by the manufacturer as well as consult a professional before using PEMF.

How safe is PEMF therapy?

PEMF is considered as a safe and non-invasive healing therapy. PEMF works on the same principles as transcranial magnetic stimulation, which is applying PEMF to the brain. TMS (Trancranial Magnetic Stimulation) has been studied for side-effects and safety a lot more. Following published research studies and clinical trials have studied the safety of using TMS therapy long-term:

1.
Anderson B, Mishory A, Nahas Z, et al. Tolerability and safety of high daily doses of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in healthy young men. J ECT. 2006;22(1):49-53. [PubMed]
2.
Reddy M, Vijay M. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Depression: State of the Art. Indian J Psychol Med. 2017;39(1):1-3. [PMC]
3.
Mantovani A, Pavlicova M, Avery D, et al. LONG-TERM EFFICACY OF REPEATED DAILY PREFRONTAL TRANSCRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION (TMS) IN TREATMNT-RESISTANT DEPRESSION. Depress Anxiety. 2012;29(10):883-890. [PMC]

As we can see, long-term pulsed magnetic field therapy has been proven to be safe for brain. It’s important listen to your body and when in doubt always consult a professional who knows about using PEMF treatment. Approaching professionals who do not have experience with a particular type of treatment will almost always be counter-productive as they will not be able to guide you with a protocol they don’t understand. 

Side effects of PEMF Therapy

Known for no adverse side effects, PEMF therapy is deemed quite safe. But here are a few things everyone who wants to use PEMF therapy must know before they start experimenting with PEMF devices.

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy affects blood circulation, improves cellular regeneration, stimulates neurons, has an anti-depression effect, and enhances the  absorption of medications and nutrients. So depending on the user’s condition, lifestyle and nutrient/medicine/supplement intake, the effects vary from user to user. 

If you are on thyroid supplements, you might need to regulate intake. This article about PEMF therapy for Thyroid has more details which discuss the side effects of PEMF therapy for those with Thyroid issues.

Secondly, when using PEMF therapy for better sleep, it might take a while for results to start showing. As the therapy is using low powered magnetic fields, it can take up to a month for those with chronic issues to see results. But rest assured, it’s a drug-free method and has beneficial short-term and long-term effects as per our experience.

Some people report a mild headache after their first few PEMF therapy sessions. Since Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields stimulate neurons1 and enhance cellular repair2, these effects are are related to sensitivity and are usually temporary in 99.99% of the cases we know of. Eventually, the pain relief3 effects start appearing after the user is acclimatized to the magnetic field. Others report no such symptoms and take to PEMF like fish to water with zero negative side effects of PEMF therapy.

This NASA study from 2002 shows that PEMF therapy is capable of switching the state of several matured genes into developmental stage, thus causing anti-ageing effects. This is perhaps the reason it works particularly well for neurological conditions that come with old age.

Lastly, you may experience uncomfortable sensations specially if you have autonomic dysfunction or have neurotoxicity due to your environment or an infection. Fatigue, agitation, weakness, dizziness or vertigo, increased urination (although the frequency of night time urination reduces with PEMF therapy long-term), and warm/cold sensations might manifest. These can also be indicators of your body’s requirements for correct nutrient intake. It’s time to consult a nutritionist when such effects are experienced. Nutrition is key to best results with PEMF, as cells can’t repair even when well stimulated if nutritional deficiencies exist.

Avoid using multiple PEMF devices simultaneously, as it the pulsating magnetic fields might interact. 

To conclude, PEMF therapy is considered to be one of the safest wellness technologies and can be applied easily at home by almost everyone. Side effects of PEMF therapy are rare, mild, and temporary.

1.
Vincenzi F, Ravani A, Pasquini S, et al. Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Exposure Reduces Hypoxia and Inflammation Damage in Neuron-Like and Microglial Cells. J Cell Physiol. 2017;232(5):1200-1208. [PubMed]
2.
Mohammadi R, Mahmoodzadeh S. Combination of Local Transplantation of In Vitro Bone-marrow Stromal Cells and Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields Accelerate Functional Recovery of Transected Sciatic Nerve Regeneration: A Novel Approach in Transected Nerve Repair. Curr Neurovasc Res. 2015;12(3):222-231. [PubMed]
3.
Ganesan K, Gengadharan A, Balachandran C, Manohar B, Puvanakrishnan R. Low frequency pulsed electromagnetic field–a viable alternative therapy for arthritis. Indian J Exp Biol. 2009;47(12):939-948. [PubMed]
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