Sauna blankets allow you to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of far-infrared heat anytime, anywhere. Now, one of our favorite sauna blanket brands, HigherDose, is combining the benefits of far infrared heat with the healing power of PEMF technology.
HigherDose’s new PEMF mat uses heat and electromagnetic waves to help stimulate the body’s healing process and melt away stress. If you’re new to this type of therapy, you may be wondering what PEMF is, how it works and how to use this mat.
What Is PEMF?
PEMF is an acronym that stands for Pulsed Electromagnetic Field. Devices that use PEMF technology produce electromagnetic waves at varying frequencies to stimulate the body’s natural recovery process.
But aren’t electromagnetic fields harmful to the body?
Great question. Electromagnetic fields produced by X-ray machines and microwaves are known to be harmful, but experts say that the risk really comes down to the duration and frequency.
With PEMF devices, electromagnetic waves are emitted in short bursts and at low frequencies – like the kind found in nature. In fact, the frequencies are even lower than what you’d be exposed to during a thunderstorm.
While PEMF technology may sound like a new and modern development, it’s actually a practice that’s been in use for centuries. The book The Yellow Emperor’s Book of Internal Medicine (which dates back to 2000 B.C.) talks of using magnetic stones for medicinal purposes. These stones are the primitive form of PEMF therapy.
How Does PEMF Therapy Work?
The idea behind PEMF is that energy pulses work to stimulate your cells where you place the device and the surrounding areas.
Dr. Gary Ryan discussed PEMF therapy on an episode of the Bulletproof Radio podcast, and his explanation was simple. He stated that, based on research out of Yale, it appears that pathologies in the body usually occur after a drop in cell charge.
Essentially, our cells are running low on battery power.
What PEMF technology does is reach down to the cell level to restore that lost charge and bring the cell back to normal. This may allow the cell to replicate and produce a normal cell.
The stimulation from PEMF kickstarts the healing process. Mild issues, like a slight muscle pull, can be resolved quickly. For bigger issues, consistent use over time can help bring about substantial changes.
So, why exactly do electromagnetic waves have such an effect on cells?
Our resting cells are positively charged on the outside and negatively charged on the inside. A flow of charges across the cell membranes creates electrical currents.
When cells are stimulated, positive charges can enter through open ion channels, which allows the interior of the cell to be more positively charged. This stimulates more electrical currents, which create electrical pulses that are called action potentials.
The body uses different patterns of action potentials to control different things, like thoughts, movements and behaviors.
Disruption to these electrical currents can lead to illness.
Potential Health Benefits of PEMF
PEMF therapy has been in use for more than 60 years, and it has clinical research to back up its claims. In fact, in 1979, PEMF therapy was approved by the FDA for the purpose of healing nonunion fractures. The therapy has been shown to help with a wide variety of conditions.
NASA pioneered PEMF therapy in a clinical setting through their research on the benefits of PEMF on astronaut depression, fatigue and bone loss.
PEMF therapy may help the body in a number of ways. The potential benefits of this therapy include:
- Better circulation
- Reduced inflammation
- Less pain
- Muscle relaxation
- Better oxygen delivery to tissues
- Better sleep
- Enhanced immune function
- Joint cartilage repair
- Improved cell repair and recovery
- Reduced stress response
One key effect of PEMF is that it stimulates the automatic nervous system (ANS), which is an important part of the brain and nervous system that controls:
- Heart rate
- Digestion
- Breathing
- Sweating
- All vital functions
When the ANS isn’t working properly or as well as it should be, the body’s vital functions are affected. When vital functions are impaired, this may lead to the development of disease or it may even accelerate the aging process.
Anxiety & Depression Response to PEMF Therapy
If PEMF affects the ANS, which helps control all vital functions in the body, it’s natural to assume that this therapy may also help with mental health issues, like anxiety and depression. Research is now showing that PEMF may help with these common issues, and it allows people to get the relief they need right from the comfort of home.
How well does PEMF work for anxiety and depression?
- A study from Harvard University found that just a single 20-minute PEMF session improved mood by more than 10% in patients with major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder.
- Another study found that after five weeks of active treatment, participants saw a 62% reduction on the Depression Rating Scale.
- An at-home study found that after daily treatment for eight weeks. 73% of participants saw relief from depression.
- Research indicates that PEMF may have anti-depressant effects that may be just as effective as antidepressants.
- An animal study found that PEMF therapy reduced anxiety-like behaviors in mice after a 15-minute treatment.
These studies support the theory that PEMF may directly help with depression and anxiety, but it can also inadvertently help with these issues by promoting a healthier, balanced state and improving sleep quality.
How to Use Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy Mats
One of the simplest ways to take advantage of PEMF therapy is to use a PEMF mat, which is sometimes called a BEMER mat. BEMER simply stands for bio-electric-magnetic energy regulation, and it works in the same way as PEMF.
PEMF systems can be small and portable for targeted relief, or they can be large and designed for full body treatment. PEMF mats generally treat the entire body, allowing for a broader overall effect.
To better understand how to use a PEMF mat, let’s take a look at one of our favorite mats.
The HigherDose Infrared Sauna Mat
The HigherDose mat incorporates PEMF technology, allowing you to enjoy the balancing properties of this therapy while getting a therapeutic dose of infrared heat.
The HigherDose infrared sauna mat offers a number of potential benefits, including:
- Improved sleep
- Less stress
- More energy
- Immune support
- Enhanced circulation
- Central nervous system support
- Better muscle recovery
This infrared mat uses both PEMF technology and far infrared heat to promote healing and overall well-being. Electromagnetic waves can help with recovery, while far infrared heat may promote better circulation, healing and less inflammation.
But how do you use it?
Unlike the HigherDose infrared sauna blanket, the mat can be used for as long as you want. Try it for meditating, post-workout stretching or even light exercise.
The mat has a 60-minute timer and 8 different settings that range from 8Hz to 64Hz. The timer allows you to get a dose of PEMF whenever you want. Now, this mat is not designed to make you sweat, so you can use it for longer periods of time to reap the benefits of PEMF therapy.
If this is your first time using the mat, you may want to start with a lower setting (low to medium intensity). This allows you to see how your body reacts to the therapy. Some people need to build up their tolerance to PEMF over time. While most people never experience any adverse reactions, it’s still a good idea to start with a lower setting and work your way up just to give your body a chance to acclimate to the changes.
If your body is significantly out of balance and you’re highly sensitive, it may take a while to reach that maximum intensity level, but that’s okay. Healing is not a race.
When using the HigherDose mat, you may find that different frequencies are better suited for different times of day.
- When we wake up in the morning, we want more energy to get us through the day. A faster frequency (between 15Hz and 30Hz) may help you get that boost you need.
- When it’s time for bed, we want our bodies to slow and prepare for sleep. A slower frequency (between 0Hz and 7Hz) may be ideal for this purpose.
When using your mat, it’s important to pay attention to how different settings make you feel. You may need to adjust the frequency to match your biorhythm. The last thing you want is to feel energized when it’s time for bed.
Now that you understand how to use the HigherDose infrared sauna mat, you may be wondering how it works and incorporates far infrared therapy into the mix.
How Does This Mat Work?
The HigherDose infrared sauna mat has multiple layers, and they all work together to create a relaxing experience:
- Top layer of waterproof, non-toxic PVC
- Second layer of PVC mono netting fabric
- Pure amethyst crystals
- Black tourmaline crystals
- Oxford fabric
- Another layer of non-toxic PVC
- Detox charcoal
- Heat balancing clay
- Infrared layer
- Bimetals and sensors
- 5 PEMF coils
- Non-woven fabric
- Waterproof oxford fabric
So, with this mat, you not only get PEMF therapy and far infrared heat, but you also get crystal therapy.
Whenever you feel like you need a dose of far infrared and PEMF therapy, just hop on your mat, set your timer and choose a setting. HigherDose’s mat looks and behaves like a yoga mat. It’s designed for floor use, which allows you to lay comfortably and treat your entire body.
With the HigherDose infrared sauna mat, you enjoy the best of both worlds: far infrared sauna and PEMF therapy.
