Marine Air Is Good For Your Health

Those rock crushing waves could be doing more than just entertaining surfer enthusiasts. Mixnig water, air and sunlight causes air molecules to break apart, releasing charged atoms, or ions, into the atmosphere. Scientists say that these negatively charged ions could provide better mood.

At the New York State Psychiatric Institute, doctors found that negative ion treatment helped to lighten the symptoms of winter depression. During an experiment, subjects were exposed to high and low rate flows of negative ions while they slept. Many of the patients that were exposed to a higher density of negative ions showed progress in their symptoms.

Studies in the 1970s reported that levels of serotonin could be affected by the type and concentration of ions breathed from air. The recent study at the New York State Psychiatric Institute found that devices emitting negatively charged oxygen particles had a similar effect to sunlight, which helps the body produce serotonin and ease seasonal depression.

The general consensus in the homeopathic community seems to be that negative ions have beneficial effects whereas positive ions are harmful.

In Asia, especially Japan, many people believe that charged ions provide health benefits. Personal products like toothbrushes, washing machines and refrigerators are produced so that they can to emit ions. Shinrinyoku, also called forest bathing, is a popular Japanese therapy and involves being guided through a forest and taking deep breaths of the air.

Although the effect of ions on our health is still being debated, most people would agree that breathing fresh, clean air is good for one’s health.

Filed Under: Health & Fitness