Latest questions:
Trending questions:
Hot questions:
Fourth Industrial Revolution and Future of Mental Health: Is Depression Becoming a Global Epidemic and Should Governments Regulate 5G...?
How Can Electromagnetic Fields Cause Mental Dysfunction in Humans?
Pall’s paper, called “Microwave frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) produce widespread neuropsychiatric effects including depression,” sheds some light on the mechanisms by which EMFs can cause these unhealthy effects.
One way that EMFs are observed to influence human biochemistry is that they activate voltage gated calcium channels (VGCCs). These channels regulate the amount of calcium taken in by multiple types of cells throughout our bodies. A disruption in the delicate intracellular balance of calcium to other ions can in turn wreak havoc on key physiological processes.
“VGCC activation has been shown to have a universal or near universal role in the release of neurotransmitters in the brain and also in the release of hormones by neuroendocrine cells…Both the high VGCC density and their function in neurotransmitter and neuroendocrine release throughout the nervous system suggests that the nervous system is likely to be highly sensitive to low intensity EMFs.“
You’re probably familiar with some of the most well-known neurotransmitters: serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. A proper balance of these chemicals is vital to a healthy and stable mood, good sleep, motivation, ability to focus, and calming of anxiety. If these chemical signals are released in the wrong amounts, mind-states like depression or anxiety can become the new normal for us, regardless of how stable our lives are.
Another neurotransmitter, melatonin, is responsible for regulating our sleep-wake rhythms. It has been established that EMF exposure suppresses the secretion of melatonin by the brain’s pineal gland. As referenced by the cohort study, research from multiple sources shows a relationship between low amounts of melatonin and greater incidence of depression.
EMFs have also been shown to cause unhelpful changes to the central and peripheral nervous system in rodents. In this case, two major tissues that are adversely affected are the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, which have the important role of synthesizing and releasing various hormones that are needed for regulating growth, body temperature, hunger/thirst, parental instincts, metabolism, and attachment behaviors. That isn’t even an exhaustive list.
What’s more, research says that while EMF-related neurological damage is (for the most part) reversible, it may become permanent with chronic, prolonged exposure.
It may seem extraordinary that news of the harmful potential of EMFs hasn’t become common knowledge, but it doesn’t make the threats posed any less real. If you experience periods of depression, anxiety, or other mental distress, this is something worth following up on, especially if you work and/or live in an environment with high levels of emission. It’s helpful to know the sources–cell phone towers, high-voltage power lines, smart meters, and of course our mobile electronic devices all contribute to the transmission of EMFs, and that list will only grow with time.
Though it is difficult (if not impossible) to completely avoid all sources, reducing your usage always helps. Others have found relief from EMF-related symptoms by relocating to a less urban space, using ethernet cables versus a WiFi connection, and using EMF-shielding with their devices.
Borrowing a grim but accurate statement made by one of the researchers in the review cited above,
“The primary questions now involve specific exposure parameters, not the reality of complaints or attempts to attribute such complaints to psychosomatic causes, malingering or beliefs in paranormal phenomena.”
Here is link to the full paper:
https://drive.wps.com/d/AFxE9tHsu60jgLmkqIqdFA
4 answers
Depression is a global problem ( However epidemic is too strong word for this in my opinion). The good part is depression is more talked in today's world than ever before. Now come to 5G, I think government should not regulate 5G in terms of mental health. This is not practical and arguments against this are heavily debatable. Similar arguments had come in past for mobile networks, radio and radar.
5G is a frequency and the impact of the frequency depends on a lots of things such as hardware, tower, intensity, power etc. Creating regulations for devices is one option and its already there.
However, I would suggest working on depression is something that government and society should focus more.
Internet and depression are related. It doesn't matter if its 2G or 5G in my opinion.
In the early days of radio technology (cell phones) the power levels of phones were so high that there likely was a medical danger from the use of phones. Today, the power levels and signal levels are so low that they are unlikely to have any effect from the signal. The key design consideration in cell phone networks is to design so that the battery will last. The battery is the biggest point of failure for cell phone networks and by keeping power of devices at the lowest level possible based on your distance from an access point is the best strategy for keeping your service running. The network regulates the power out put of your phone.
Should the government regulate 5G? What are you kidding? That could only lead to disaster. Does that ever work?
Think of the irony. If it wasn't for the government, we wouldn't have cell phones and iPhones today. In 1984 the government DEREGULATED the telephone business so anyone could get into building phone networks and devices. Until then we had a government run phone system called AT&T. The deregulation created the tech boom we've enjoyed since.
The internet is a completely organic technology that has become a utility. It drives the government crazy that they can't regulate it.
History proves that when the government regulates innovation dies.
If we speak of depression and internet, maybe should less focus on technology like 5G, but more on social media. Facebook and Instagram show an ideal world and sell this as reality. Many users compare this with their own lives and may conclude that cannot keep up with such profiles.