Alternative medicine is growing in popularity as more people look for natural ways to support health or manage conditions. One such approach is negative ion therapy, which has even attracted attention from public figures like Novak Djokovic.
If negative ion therapy sounds vague or you’re unsure whether it works, this post will help. Read on to learn what negative ions are, how the therapy works, and what the evidence says.
What are negative ions?
Negative ions are tiny, electrically charged molecules that float in the air. They’re invisible to the eye because they’re microscopic, much like other natural airborne molecules.
You’ll find negative ions in many natural places. Sunlight, lightning, plant growth, and moving water (like waterfalls or ocean waves) all create them. For example, UV rays from the sun and the break-up of water droplets at a shore or waterfall produce negative ions.
How are negative ions formed?
Ions are particles with an electrical charge; they can be positive or negative. Atoms that gain electrons become negatively charged (anions), while those that lose electrons become positively charged (cations).
Negative ions form when air molecules break apart from things like radiation, sunlight, moving water, or air. Other ways negative ions can be made include:
– Water droplet breakup (Lenard effect), such as at waterfalls or ocean shores
– Natural minerals and fossil materials
– Sun’s UV rays
– Electric discharges, like lightning
– Some metals and catalytic surfaces
– Corona discharge (ionization of a fluid)
How does negative ion therapy work?
Negative ion therapy is an alternative treatment that uses devices called air ionizers to release negative ions into the air. Supporters say negative ions are beneficial to health, while positive ions are harmful.
Negative ions are thought to increase oxygen flow to the brain, which can boost alertness and reduce drowsiness. They may also help remove airborne particles and microbes, improving air quality and possibly triggering helpful biochemical responses.
People get negative ion exposure in different ways: using home air ionizers or purifiers with ionizing functions, ventilation systems with ionizing settings, bipolar ionization systems, or by going to natural places with lots of negative ions—beaches, forests, mountains, and waterfalls.
Benefits of negative ions
Many people try negative ion therapy as a natural way to feel better. Some benefits are backed by research, while others still need more evidence. The effects with the strongest scientific support include:
– Better sleep and reduced sleep problems
– Improved mood and mental energy, possibly linked to serotonin
– Lower stress levels
– Stronger immune response
– Faster metabolism of fats and carbohydrates
– Antiviral and antibacterial effects against some microbes and mold spores
Negative ions may also help heart health by improving blood flow and widening blood vessels, which can support heart rate and blood pressure regulation.
Scientific evidence
Some studies support benefits of negative ions, though results vary and more research is needed.
A review in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences (September 2018) summarized how negative air ions affect health and air quality. It found that negative ions can reduce symptoms of allergies linked to dust and mold and lower airborne particulate matter, a common pollutant. The review also noted that certain treatments can increase ion production from plants, which could improve air quality in homes and public spaces.
A 2013 review in the Journal of Negative Results in Biomedicine looked at 23 studies on respiratory effects. It found that older literature didn’t clearly show benefits for respiratory function, though some of the included studies did report improvements in oxygen use, lung measures, heart rate, and breathing flow. Since many studies in that review were done before 2000, more recent research is important.
Research in BMC Psychiatry found that negative ionizers didn’t change overall mental health scores but did reduce symptoms in people with depression, including seasonal affective disorder (SAD), with sufficient exposure time.
Negative ions and cancer
Research on negative ions and cancer is limited and preliminary. Some studies suggest water-generated negative ions might boost immune cells that attack tumors and could reduce tumor growth in lab settings. A single case reported benefits for ovarian cancer, but that’s far from conclusive. More research is needed to understand any effects and how they might work, possibly through antioxidant activity or immune support.
Potential risks
Negative ion therapy isn’t risk-free. Using ionizing devices in small, poorly ventilated spaces can produce ground-level ozone or increase static electricity, both of which can irritate the respiratory system or worsen breathing conditions. Some electronic ionizers may also release particles that cause irritation.
Spending time outdoors in places with natural high ion levels—forests, mountains, beaches—is generally safer and has added mood and well-being benefits.
Conclusion
Positive and negative ions are everywhere, even if we can’t see them. Some benefits of negative ion exposure are supported by science, while others need more proof. The simplest and safest way to increase your exposure is to spend time in nature, such as near waterfalls, forests, or the ocean. If you use ionizing devices indoors, avoid small, closed rooms and be cautious about ozone and other side effects. Overall, more research is needed to fully understand how effective negative ion therapy is.
FAQ
What are negative ions good for?
Negative ions may help physical and mental well-being, but many claims still need more scientific backing.
How do negative ions affect the body?
They may increase oxygen flow to the brain and improve alertness, and could support respiratory, cardiovascular, and immune function.
How do you increase negative ions in the body?
The easiest way is spending time outdoors in places with high natural ion levels—dense forests, mountains, waterfalls, and beaches.
What do negative ionizers do?
Ionizers remove small airborne particles, including some that can harm people with respiratory issues.