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[Below is the original script. But a few changes may have been made during the recording of this audio podcast.]
Various studies have reassured us that mobile phones will not give us cancer. But cell phones can cause real pain. That’s according to an article in press at the journal NeuroImage.
People are increasingly complaining of being “electrosensitive.” For them, the cell’s electromagnetic fields cause severe pain—and in Sweden sufferers build houses that block the supposed damaging electric fields.
But there’s a glitch. Studies have shown that such victims feel the same discomfort when in the presence of fake phones as they do when they’re near real phones. So what’s going on?
Research at the University of Regensburg finds one possible source of this pain. They told 30 participants they’d be exposed to two stimuli: a heat-emitting thermode and an active cell phone. The thermode was real, but the phone was a phony.
When exposed to heat, the electrosensitive group, as well as the control group, complained of discomfort. But when exposed to the pretend phone, only the allegedly electrosensitive ones reported pain.
And their reports matched their actual physiological response. When exposed to the sham brain scans the control group revealed no effect. But the electrosensitive group showed increased activity in brain areas specific to pain perception.
So the pain is real—even if the phone isn’t. And the real cause lies somewhere in their hurting heads.
—Christie Nicholson
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11 Comments
Add CommentThis sounds like a bunch of freaking whiners looking for new things to whine about. Maybe the researchers should be studying what makes some people so whiney that they have to make crap up to whine about. I’d bet a dollar that these same research subject’s "electrosensitivity" pain would be cured by a good dose of homeopathy or therapeutic touch.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisPhony?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWell Mr. Jones just as those whiny people have stored some sort of pain in their brains, they can also store memories of being touched so I'm guessing what they could be experiencing is someone else's memory of maybe being slapped for being rude.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIt's entirely possible that the electrosensitive people did experience real pain from a cell phone. Then over time, they became conditioned to feel pain in the presence of electronic devices. Whether or not the cause is real, their brain thinks that it is in pain.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIf you want to be certain if the cell phone can actually cause pain to these people, expose them to one without their knowing. In other words, tell them that you're exposing them to a heat emitting thermode, a cell phone, and a brick (they are told that the brick is a control). If being near the brick also causes them pain, then the cell phones actually do cause them pain.
What i don't get, is why now? I mean people have been exposed to electromagnetic fields for a while, albeit the amount of electromagnetic fields has increased over time, but still. I'd like to know the age of these people who are claiming to be electrosensitive, and their estimated use of electronic devices.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thissometimes the psychology has a very strong effect on our health. our emotion can stimulize the brain to release certain kind of harmone to effect our health.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI feel a pain every time the phone rings. It does not matter what kind of phone. Just the thought that some dolt wants to yammer at me for what ever reason gives me pain. Oddly enough if the same person talks to me face to face there is no pain. Maybe it is the loss of personal socialization.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisOr maybe I and the electrosensitive are just a bunch of gullible freaks.
I am someone who just experienced pain from a new cell phone - an LG Extravert. I have had a cell phone for years - an LG Cosmos - & never had a problem. I do have a problem with my GPS & when it's on I have to keep it on the other side of the car. Pain caused by the electromagnetic waves of the phone - why would I or anyone make this up? I love the new cell phone & wanted to keep it but I can't carry it on me or in my purse. Landline & the old cell phones don't bother me & I don't know why. I'm writing to validate that people can feel pain from some electronic equipment. & I'm not whining either.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI also have pain when I try and use almost any new cell phone. The pain starts as tingling in my hand, then travels to my forearm, and then the ulnar nerve in my elbow, where it lasts for some time, even after I stop using the phone.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI found one phone (Samsung Evergreen) that does not cause this pain. However, any other phone I have tried recently triggers the pain, especially touch screen phones. I am afraid that when my current phone becomes too obsolete to fuction, I won't have an alternative phone to use.
I have found almost no information online that really addresses this issue. It would be great if there could be some study conducted at some point that would involve both cell phone engineers, as well as medical personnel, that would figure out why this pain is being triggered.
Like the above poster, this pain I feel is very real...
I am hoping that if enough people become aware that this problem does indeed exist, it might one day be addressed by the cell phone designers that would be in a position to design cell phones that would not trigger this adverse physical effect.
Can anyone tell me if how to cure the pain when someone sleep on a cell phone, it hurts a lot.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI also feel such pain for several years. The feeling is not the most enjoyable. It is also difficult to avoid, because everyone, everywhere is talking: in the bus or subway, or the theater or at the bank .. And you can not avoid it because of the wave action zone up to 6 meters. The pain gradually decreases approximately w/i 2-3 hours. I do not want to wish it to anyone!
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