There’s been a lot of talk lately about electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure, especially as our reliance on technology seems to grow by the day. These energy fields emitted by everything from our cell phones to baby monitors to wireless devices are being linked to a wide range of health problems, and we’re only just beginning to understand the impact our rapidly evolving technology is having on our bodies.

The question is – could our smartphones and Wi-Fi actually be making us sick? 
If you ask someone with electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS), they’ll tell you yes. People experiencing this condition report feeling severe health symptoms they trace back to EMF exposure. But what exactly is EHS, and is it real? Who is affected, and are our kids more vulnerable than we realize?

What is Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity (EHS)?

People with EHS experience physical symptoms after exposure to devices such as cell phones, Wi-Fi routers, or after being around household appliances that emit EMFs. They have reported symptoms that range from mildly annoying to downright debilitating such as:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Concentration difficulties
• Fatigue
• Poor sleep
• Rashes
• Heart palpitations

While the term is gaining popularity, EHS is nothing new. It was once known as microwave syndrome, first emerging after the development of radar during WW2. Throughout recent history, people exposed to EMFs in large quantities have reported feeling all of the symptoms listed above. We’re being exposed to these frequencies now more than ever, so it’s no wonder more people are beginning to think EHS could be the cause.

The problem is, these symptoms can be caused by all sorts of things. Stress, bad sleep habits, dehydration, and diet can lead to some of these issues. But when these symptoms flare up specifically when someone is near electronics, could EMFs be to blame?

The answer depends on who you ask.

Viewpoints on EHS

If you go to the doctor in the United States complaining about EHS symptoms, you likely won’t get much validation. It’s not officially recognized as a medical condition in the U.S., so doctors will look for other underlying physical or psychological causes for the symptoms. Agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization do acknowledge people are reporting these symptoms, but they link them to stress or anxiety rather than EMFs themselves.
Internationally, some countries are taking EHS seriously. Sweden has officially recognized EHS as a functional impairment, or disability, which gives citizens suffering from EHS a right to accessibility measures. Austria and parts of Europe have also acknowledged EHS and developed guidelines on diagnosing and treating EMF-related health problems. Not only do they address EHS, but they recommend reducing EMF exposure for everyone, just to be safe.

Is Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity a Mental Illness?

One of the biggest debates when it comes to EHS is whether or not it’s “all in your head.” Some experts do think it’s more of a psychological issue where someone believes they’re being harmed by EMFs, therefore they start to feel symptoms. This is called the “nocebo effect,” where someone experiences symptoms due to a suggestion of possible harm.
But for people experiencing EHS, the symptoms are very real, and they can be life-altering. People suffering from EHS, such as “Awkward Family Photos” creator Mike Bender, have described feeling completely misunderstood, with doctors and family members dismissing EHS symptoms, or worse – labeling them hypochondriacs. But with other countries starting to take this diagnosis seriously, it leads me to believe there’s more to this than we fully understand.

Are Children More Sensitive to EMFs?

This is the question that really hits home for me as a mom. Our kids are growing up in a world full of technology, and I often wonder how that constant exposure to EMFs could be affecting mine. Studies suggest that children are more vulnerable to EMFs than adults because their bodies are not fully developed.

They have a higher percentage of soft tissue, and their skulls are thinner, so radiation from Wi-Fi, cell phones, and all of their devices can penetrate deeper into their brains. There’s also the cumulative exposure to think about. With kids using their tablets, video games, and phones from such a young age, their lifetime exposure will be so much higher than ours was growing up during a relatively low-tech time.

Like most families, we rely on technology. My kids use tablets for school, we video chat with out-of-state family regularly, and our Wi-Fi is on every minute we’re awake. With our device being such a big part of our life, it’s important to know the dangers associated with EMF exposure and how we can best protect our families.

What are the Dangers of EMF Exposure?

The truth is, we don’t fully know the risks of too much EMF exposure. We’re living out the experiment in real-time, with long-term effects still years away from being recognized. But some studies have already suggested the EMFs could be linked to:

• Reproductive Problems: EMF exposure can impact both male and female fertility due to its impact on hormonal changes in the body.
• Increased Cancer Risk: The International Agency for Research on Cancer has identified the radiofrequency EMFs – like those emitted by cell phones – as a potential carcinogen for the brain.
• Disruptions in Brain Function: Studies have linked EMF exposure to problems with memory and focus
• Sleep Disturbances: EMF exposure suppresses the body’s production of melatonin, which regulates our sleep cycles.

Behavioral and Mood Changes: Especially in children who are more sensitive to EMF exposure, changes in behavior and mood have been observed.

What are the Effects of EMFs on the Brain?

Have you ever felt a little foggy after a long session of mindless scrolling? Or had a nagging headache after a long phone call? True, the person on the other end of that call could be responsible for the headache, depending on who they are, but research is actually showing that EMFs might disrupt the brain’s electrical activity. This could explain why people often report feeling things like headaches and brain fog after spending too much time on their devices. 

Even more concerning is the research suggesting EMFs could alter the blood-brain barrier. This barrier is our brain’s line of defense against harmful substances, and studies are showing EMFs could weaken it. This could allow toxins to enter, which can lead to big problems later, especially for kids whose brains are still developing. 

With or without an EHS diagnosis, the research is clear: kids are more sensitive to EMF exposure. So what can we as parents do to make sure they aren’t going to suffer down the road?

Tips for Reducing Our EMF Load

“Real” or not, hearing stories of electromagnetic hypersensitivity and the issues people are dealing with from EMF exposure is enough for me to take action. I’d rather be safe than sorry, especially where my family is concerned. We might not be able to control the amount of EMFs in the world, but we can take simple steps to reduce it in our own homes:

• Limit screen time, especially for kids
• Turn off Wi-Fi at night and when it’s not in use
• Use wired devices whenever possible instead of relying on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
• Invest in proven-effective EMF protection, such as the Lifetune devices by Aires Tech
• Keep phones and tablets out of the bedrooms, especially at night
• Avoid direct body contact with devices – no phones in the pockets!

Whether or not EHS is officially recognized across the globe, it’s clear that EMF exposure is worth the caution. If it means setting boundaries around our technology use, it’s worth it. It’s always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to our families well-being. Our health – and our kids’ health – is too important to leave to chance.