{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"From Instagram comments to an IRL remark, “","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://www.reddit.com/r/NoStupidQuestions/comments/xe1dko/what_does_it_mean_to_go_touch_grass/"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"go touch grass","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"” is a snarky call to get off screens and spend more time in nature. But how much does touching the earth — ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://health.clevelandclinic.org/earthing"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"also called earthing","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":" or grounding — actually benefit your health? While some studies and the countless companies selling grounding products would have you think it’s a miracle cure, the research isn’t definitive.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{"target":{"sys":{"id":"6uTZzDVcpyfkkJcZvGts1O","type":"Link","linkType":"Entry"}}},"content":[],"nodeType":"embedded-entry-block"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Why the grass isn’t greener…than actual medicine","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"heading-3"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Research on earthing has suggested that ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22291721/"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"electrons from the Earth’s surface","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":" can ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4378297/"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"reduce inflammation","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":", speed up healing, ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3576907/"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"minimize blood clumping","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":", and improve ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3265077/"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"immune response","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":", ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30448083/"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"heart rate","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":", and sleep. If access, time, or a hatred of bugs keeps you from the outdoors, there’s no shortage of indoor grounding products supposedly providing similar benefits.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"But let’s look a little closer: Many studies are small — 60 or fewer participants — or are funded by the very companies selling grounding technology. More research is needed to prove anything, including understanding ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4378297/"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"how long and often you’d need to practice","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":" earthing to benefit. It's also not clear how effective grounding products are ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://health.clevelandclinic.org/earthing"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"compared to actual earth.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":" Many wellness products aren’t FDA-regulated, so trying to determine if a $90 grounding mat works could be an expensive experiment.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"But I like going outside.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"heading-3"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Let’s be clear: ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://www.theskimm.com/newsletter/skimm-well/nature-deficit-disorder?utm_source=newsletter_sw&utm_medium=email"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Connecting with nature isn’t bad for you","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":". Research aside, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t feel better after a mental health walk or a ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s44184-022-00015-6#Sec2"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"break from social media","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":". Spending time in nature ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-earthing-5220089"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"has long been a way to be more present","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":", in part because it can provide mental clarity, says ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://www.drrachelnyc.com/"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Rachel Goldman","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":", PhD, a licensed psychologist and clinical assistant professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"value":"Your move","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"heading-3"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Before you budget for a grounding mat, keep in mind that earthing hasn't been definitively proven to treat anything. ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://www.bhusriheart.com/"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Satjit Bhusri","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":", MD, a cardiologist and founder of Upper East Side Cardiology & Vein Institute, says to think of earthing as a complementary — not replacement — practice to your existing health care.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"}],"nodeType":"document"}