Earth & Heart Series, Part 3, Thermography
Thermography is a non-invasive imaging method that reveals the heat distribution on the body’s surface. It detects infrared radiation emitted by the skin and translates it into a color-coded thermogram. In physics terms, all objects with a temperature above absolute zero radiate heat. The human body, with an average surface temperature close to 33°C, emits infrared waves that can be captured by a specialized camera. Doctors often rely on these temperature maps to identify areas of abnormal heat or coolness. Such patterns can indicate problems like inflammation, poor circulation, or early-stage infections. Another technique known as Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (LSCI) adds detail by capturing real-time changes in blood flow. This involves shining a low-power laser on tissue and observing how red blood cells moving in vessels alter the scattered light. Each bright or dark speckle on the recorded image represents interference patterns from the laser beam interacting with moving blood cells. LSCI is similarly non-invasive and provides a quick, accurate look at microcirculation.
Recent research has explored whether grounding might benefit circulation as shown by thermography and LSCI. A 2015 pilot study from a major biology department in California recruited 40 participants. Roughly two-thirds were grounded using conductive mats, pillows, and patches that connected them to the Earth’s electrical potential, while the remaining participants received sham grounding. Participants relaxed on a recliner for one hour while wearing these materials, and their faces and torsos were then imaged using infrared thermography.
Measurements before and after the session showed that grounded individuals exhibited noticeable improvements in blood flow and fluid dynamics. The authors suggested that grounding may support the autonomic nervous system (ANS) by lowering blood cell aggregation and viscosity. This led to enhanced perfusion in the face and abdomen, patterns not observed in the control group.
Years earlier, Dr. William Amalu documented 20 case studies of individuals who used similar grounding products in a clinical setting. Subjects either slept on conductive bedding or attached conductive patches to specific parts of the body.
Consistent with the 2015 pilot study, these participants displayed rapid improvements in both short-term and chronic inflammation. Thermography images from Dr. Amalu’s studies also showed that certain “hot” areas cooled down, suggesting shifts in local circulation andreduced inflammatory activity.
So far we've seen intriguing evidence of grounding’s influence on the cardiovascular system. It enhances zeta potential and supports more efficient blood flow, lower viscosity, and better blood pressure and overall circulation. The concept of structured water along blood vessel walls comes into play here too. This is covered more extensively in Earth & Water, but the key takeaway is that grounding appears to improve charge separation along the vascular walls, which in turn helps drive circulation.
This closes out our little series on Earth & Heart. I hope you’ve enjoyed it :) If you’re intersted in learning more about the Earth & Heart story, check out Earth & Water!
Further Reading:
Chevalier, Gaetan & Melvin, Gregory & Barsotti, Tiffany. (2015). One-Hour Contact with the Earth’s Surface (Grounding) Improves Inflammation and Blood Flow—A Randomized, Double-Blind, Pilot Study. Health. 07. 1022-1059. 10.4236/health.2015.78119.
https://www.thegroundedathletellc.com/s/thermographycasehistories2004.pdf
