The Tamesis
I lay on my back on the outdoor patio of the Proper Hotel in Santa Monica and turned my gaze to the sky, watching the palm trees sway in the breeze. I’ve been resting on a pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) mat for the past 15 minutes – one of the products on offer at a wellness pop-up hosted by the hotel, and I was promised a charge for my phone. While I can’t say for sure if my cells were re-energized, I did feel very relaxed. Interesting to me.
As a long-time health and lifestyle journalist, I have the opportunity to test various health trends, and my philosophy is to be skeptical until proven otherwise. As I learned before my first PEMF experience, the mat is designed to emit electromagnetic waves that simulate natural frequencies found in nature. Here’s how it works: “PEF therapy works by applying intermittent pulses of a magnetic field to living tissue,” says Nisha Chellam, MD, an internist at Parsley Health. “This creates a tiny electrical current that enhances the function of the cells.” So, you can use this mat to get the same benefits without stretching out on the earth.
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Dr. Chellam says these benefits depend on frequency, typically ranging from 1 to 5 Hz. Lower frequencies (such as the Delta or Theta range) may be more calming and grounding, helping to regulate your nervous system and wind down from a stressful day, encouraging your brain to slow down and prepare for sleep. Higher frequencies “facilitate cellular transfer of calcium and other minerals or ions, thereby reducing inflammation, increasing circulation, reducing stress and promoting post-exercise recovery,” she says.
Higher frequencies can also “provide a feel-good boost of energy that allows you to focus, feel more creative and solve problems, even in high-stress situations,” says Jessica Alcalde, Vice President of Products at HigherDose. Additionally, because PEMF has benefits for cell health, inflammation, and circulation, it can be a powerful tool for recovery and improved performance. That’s why HigherDose chose to incorporate infrared heat into its pads, “creating a synergistic effect where the heat relaxes muscles and allows the PEMF waves to penetrate deeper.”
Still, Dr. Chellam notes that PEMF therapy can be useful for “people suffering from chronic insomnia, chronic pain, athletes, high-stress people, and people who need to improve circulation.” Well, as a self-confessed stressed out person, I was eager to try these mats again. There are several home-use options on the market, ranging in price from about $350 for the Bon Charge PEMF mini to nearly $1,300 for the full-size, HigherDOSE Infrared PEMF Pro pad. I chose to try the latter as I was already a fan of their sauna blankets.
My experience using PEMF pads
The mat is easy to install, you just need to find a little floor space to unfold it, plug it in, and relax on the mat. Dr. Chellam recommends using the mat for 10 to 20 minutes, starting on the lower end and slowly increasing the time for maximum benefit (but no more than 30 minutes at a time). While I’ve been working on honing a nightly relaxation ritual for a clearer mind and better sleep, I decided to try it an hour before bed. I wasn’t sure I could sit for 10 minutes without my mind racing, so I opted to queue up for a guided meditation to really get into it. By the time my session was over, I felt noticeably more relaxed and ready for a nap (frankly, I might have started nodding off by the end of the session). Is it the mat or meditation? While I can’t say for sure, I do plan to incorporate this practice into my daily routine more regularly.
