Grounding as a complementary intervention for Alzheimer's disease: Mechanisms, evidence, and potential therapeutic applications

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Despite extensive research efforts, effective curative treatments remain elusive, emphasizing the need for innovative therapeutic strategies. Grounding, or earthing, involves direct physical contact with the Earth's surface to facilitate the absorption of negatively charged electrons into the body. This practice has gained attention for its potential to reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, and cortisol dysregulation, which are significant contributors to AD pathology. This review examines the biological mechanisms by which grounding may influence AD, including its antioxidative effects that mitigate oxidative stress and its anti-inflammatory properties that reduce neuroinflammation. Grounding may also improve sleep quality and stress management, factors known to exacerbate AD progression. Evidence from preclinical and clinical studies highlights its potential to protect neuronal health by targeting oxidative and inflammatory pathways. Additionally, the safety, feasibility, and cost-effectiveness of grounding are discussed, making it a practical complementary approach to existing AD therapies. While the preliminary evidence is promising, the review emphasizes the need for robust clinical trials to validate grounding's efficacy specifically in AD populations. By integrating grounding into standard care protocols, it may be possible to enhance the overall therapeutic outcomes and improve the quality of life for individuals with AD. Grounding represents a novel, non-pharmacological intervention that could complement existing treatments by addressing both the physiological and psychological aspects of this complex disease.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; cognitive decline; cortisol regulation; earthing; grounding; neuroinflammation; neuroprotection; non-pharmacological interventions; quality of life improvement; sleep quality.