Ion therapy

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Ion therapy is one type of pseudoscience that claims scientifically unproven health benefits from doses of negatively charged particles. This therapy typically uses a special electronic device that generates negatively charged particles. Most researchers are dismissive of both the theoretical claims and the practical effectiveness of this technique.

Negative ions contain an extra electron, and are created naturally by the sun, wind, and moving water. Such electrically charged molecules, in high enough concentrations, neutralize certain odors and make air seem cleaner. In themselves, they are imperceptible.

One theory claims that oxygenation of the blood is enhanced in highly ionized environments.

One comparative study showed that high doses of negative ion therapy can alleviate symptoms associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder,[1] although it was not as effective as bright light therapy and no comparison was made to a group which was not receiving some form of treatment. Low density ion therapy was considered the least effective treatment studied.

Small, compact ion generators can produce levels of ion density sufficient for biological effect.^{[citation needed]} Very high levels are needed, above levels provided by most standard home air cleaners.^{[citation needed]}

Although the original study^{[citation needed]} relied on ion exposure during the day in timed treatment sessions, more recently the method has used during sleep, providing an imperceptible antidepressant effect within a few weeks. Thus far there have been no studies of the potential additional benefit of combining negative air ion therapy with drug or light treatment.

Clinical trials of negative air ionization have maximized the dose (or ion flow to the subject) with a grounded wrist strap (for daytime use) or bed sheet (for use during sleep).^{[citation needed]} Proponents claim that a grounding strap reduces the flow of ions to other objects in the environment such as radiators, walls and televisions, in direct opposition to the proven behavior of electrically charged particles.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] References

Terman M, Terman JS. (2006) Controlled trial of naturalistic dawn simulation and negative air ionization for seasonal affective disorder. Am J Psychiatry. 163(12):2126-2133.[2]