Normal Is an Illusion: Why We Need Grounding

Written By Robert Iron Shell

Modern definitions of “normal” physiology may be flawed because most humans and research subjects exist electrically insulated from the Earth. Rubber soles, synthetic floors, and wired environments isolate the body from its natural ground connection and this distorts biological baselines. Laboratory animals thought to be genetically identical, such as Wistar and Sprague-Dawley rats, often show differing disease and immune outcomes that could stem from subtle differences in electrical environments, like whether cages are grounded or near wiring. Grounding equalizes charge, stabilizes electrical potential, and reduces physiological noise, while insulation introduces imbalance and variability. If grounding alters inflammation, healing, and aging, then “normal” health may need redefining to include the body’s electrical state alongside genetics, diet, and light exposure.

  1. Mac Kenzie WF, Garner FM. Comparison of neoplasms in six sources of rats. J Natl Cancer Inst 1973;50(5):1243-57. 

  2. Kampfmann I, Bauer N, Johannes S, Moritz A. Differences in hematologic variables in rats of the same strain but different origin. Vet Clin Pathol. 2012 Jun;41(2):228-34. doi: 10.1111/j.1939-165X.2012.00427.x. Epub 2012 May 2. PMID: 22551195.

  3. Wang W, Teresa M, Cai J, Zhang C, Wong S, Yan Z, Khojasteh SC, Zhang D. Comparative assessment for rat strain differences in metabolic profiles of 14 drugs in Wistar Han and Sprague Dawley hepatocytes. Xenobiotica. 2021 Jan;51(1):15-23. doi: 10.1080/00498254.2020.1795949. Epub 2020 Jul 27. PMID: 32713280.

  4. Honndorf S, Lindemann C, Töllner K, Gernert M. Female Wistar rats obtained from different breeders vary in anxiety-like behavior and epileptogenesis. Epilepsy Res. 2011 Mar;94(1-2):26-38. doi: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2010.12.012. Epub 2011 Jan 28. PMID: 21277170.

  5. Garg R, Heinzle E, Noor F. Hepatocytes of Wistar and Sprague Dawley rats differ significantly in their central metabolism. J Cell Biochem. 2018 Jan;119(1):909-917. doi: 10.1002/jcb.26255. Epub 2017 Sep 7. PMID: 28671274.

  6. Naaijkens BA, van Dijk A, Meinster E, Kramer K, Kamp O, Krijnen PA, Niessen HW, Juffermans LJ. Wistar rats from different suppliers have a different response in an acute myocardial infarction model. Res Vet Sci. 2014 Apr;96(2):377-9. doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2013.12.015. Epub 2014 Jan 3. PMID: 24445251.

  7. Oschman, J., Chevalier, G. and Ober, A. (2015) Biophysics of Earthing (Grounding) the Human Body. In: Rosch, P.J., Ed., Bioelectromagnetic and Subtle Energy Medicine, 2nd Edition, CRC Press, New York, 427-448.

Robert Iron Shell
Next

The Big 3: Grounding and Human Health