Protecting the Brain from Electromagnetic Fields
Sep 30, 2025 06:45AM ● By Lisa Smith
The human brain is an electrical marvel. It governs movement, memory, intelligence, sleep, heartbeat and the five senses, using constant currents to transmit signals throughout the nervous system. Its activity is so highly electric that brain health is commonly measured with an electroencephalogram (EEG). Yet its very sensitivity to electric signals leaves the brain vulnerable to the growing presence of artificial electromagnetic fields (EMFs), now recognized as one of the fastest-rising environmental toxins in homes, workplaces and schools.
EMFs have always existed. Natural radiation from the earth and sun is part of human evolution. However, the artificial EMFs generated by modern technologies create novel and unnaturally higher exposures for the brain and nervous system. From cell phones and wireless earbuds to Wi-Fi routers, baby monitors, smart meters, cell towers and power lines, human-made sources now surround people almost constantly.
While EMFs can be very useful and convenient, for example, they enable wire-free communication, they are environmental pollutants—comparable to carbon monoxide or mold. They are invisible, inaudible and odorless, yet they do not pass harmlessly through the skull. Research shows that EMFs penetrate brain tissue, influencing neurons and disrupting delicate chemical balances.
A growing body of science links EMF exposure to a range of neurological effects. Cognitive studies report impairments in memory, learning and concentration, sometimes described as “brain fog.” Long-term exposure can increase risks for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Emotional regulation may also be affected, with serotonin and dopamine imbalances tied to anxiety, depression and irritability.
amine-opiate system, contributing to headaches. Sleep studies show altered brain wave patterns and disrupted melatonin production, resulting in insomnia and poor sleep quality.
Perhaps most concerning is the evidence connecting EMFs with brain cancer. In 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organization, classified radiofrequency (RF) radiation as a Class 2B “possible carcinogen.” More recently, a WHO-funded study published in Environment International (April 2025) confirmed these risks, reporting “high certainty” animal evidence that RF radiation causes gliomas, or brain tumors, validating human studies of similar tumors.
These findings prompted the International Commission on the Biological Effects of EMFs (ICBE-EMF) to urge governments to revise exposure limits to protect public health and reinforced calls to reclassify RF radiation as a Class 1 “known carcinogen.” Dr. Joel Moskowitz, from the University of California Berkeley’s School of Public Health, has also highlighted rising U.S. rates of glioblastomas, underscoring the urgency of protective policies.
People’s brains have differing resilience to EMFs. Some individuals develop Electromagnetic Radiation Syndrome (EMR Syndrome), showing symptoms almost immediately upon exposure. Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable, as their brains are still developing and their thinner skulls allow for deeper absorption of radiation. However, everyone is impacted and it makes sense to lower exposure.
- Cell phone safety: Use speakerphone or wired headsets instead of holding phones to the head. Keep antennas off when not in use by switching to airplane mode and disabling Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
- Avoid wireless earbuds: Choose wired alternatives.
- Create a sleep sanctuary: Keep phones out of bedrooms unless all antennas are off. Turn off routers at night and unplug nearby electronics.
- Mitigate all types of EMFs: Lower RF radiation, electric fields, magnetic fields and “dirty electricity” in high-use areas of homes, workplaces and schools to safe levels.
- Whole-home EMF assessments from Building Biologists offer tailored strategies to lower exposure and create healthier living environments.
The evidence connecting EMFs and brain health continues to mount. Policymakers
debate new exposure standards, while advocates call for stronger protections. For individuals, awareness paired with proactive steps to reduce risks offers an immediate pathway to safeguarding the brain.
As research evolves, one fact remains clear: the brain’s extraordinary sensitivity makes it both powerful and fragile. Protecting it from unseen pollutants is a critical step toward preserving memory, cognition, mood and overall vitality.
Expert Perspective: Tucson Neurosurgeon Speaks Out
Neurosurgeon Dr. Hillel Baldwin has spoken publicly about the effects of radiofrequency radiation on the brain and nervous system. His lecture, available on YouTube, explores the science linking EMFs to neurological changes and cancer risk.
Dr. Baldwin recently retired from clinical practice at the Carondelet Neurological Institute and previously served as Chief of Neurosurgery at Tucson Medical Center, Northwest Medical Center and El Dorado Hospital. He also led the Arizona Neurosurgical Society and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Environmental Health Trust.
Watch his talk at: youtube.com/watch?v=G6C_4OG1WAE.
Lisa Smith, Ph.D., EMRS, is the founder of EMF Wellness Tucson, which offers EMF Assessments and mitigation counseling. For more information, call 520-248-0461, email [email protected] or visit EMF-Wellness.com.
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