Cell Phones & Your Brain: Think About It

They keep turning up research that shows there is electro-magnetic stimulation to your brain caused by holding a cell phone to your ear, yet most people ignore it.

To me, it's like knowing cigarettes cause cancer, and continuing to smoke. It reminds me of how people deplore the price of gasoline, while filling up their huge SUVs.

But maybe that's just because I feel a little holier-than-thou, having given up cell phone usage a while back. I only use it for out-going calls in cases of urgency. I'll admit it can be a great help for communications while out of the office. But to use it for casual conversations, or while driving: no-no.

Here's more research to deter you from frequently using a cell phone, from the Brain Based Business blog:

A recent study on cell phones shows the side effect still excite parts of the brain. Is this good or bad…? Unfortunately researchers can’t say for sure. Check out the IBN Live reports.

An Italian researcher ... Paolo Maria Rossini ... looked at side effects of cell phone emissions on the brain’s motor cortex.  He discovered that electromagnetic fields which are generated by cell phones produce an excitability increase within the brain's cortex.

Rossini, a neurologist with the Fatebenefratelli IRCCS Research Centre of Brescia,  showed why further research is needed to know whether cortex 'excitability' is dangerous or beneficial to brain’s well-being.

Comments

[Patsi Krakoff]

P.S. If you must use a cell phone, use it with a headset. This has a side benefit of freeing up your hands, which is always a good thing while you're driving.

[ellenweber]

Patsi, thanks for a fresh look at this topic through yet another lens.... Not sure I would agree with your "holier-than-thou" evaluation of you though.... because I see so many excellent ideas for whole brain wellness here at your site.... Hey...now that I think of it... Patsi..your ideas might makes us all "holier" in the end too... not a bad side effect... when you think of it:-) Thanks for the practical tips that help us get more from our brains....

[Dave]

Some studies I've seen show that certain headsets actually create stronger electro-magnetic stimulation than the phone itself. Using a headset is not a sure-fire way to increase the safety level. There are reviews on the net comparing headset radition levels, but it's been a couple years since I read them so unfortunately I don't have a link handy.

[Brice Alfred Morgan]

Hello I believe this could actually be a good thing. Think about it.... increased excitability within the brains sides. This could be a medical breakthrough. Imagine this before a test you'd be better off using your left side like a math test. You take the cell phone and hold it to your left side of your head thus increasing your ability to logicaly answer the questions. But research also shows that both sides of your brain need to be stimulated and exercised to get a amplification effect. So maybe it would be better to stimulate both. But one way or another this could be a good thing. If there are no negative side effects. If it does have a draw back I hope they can find a way to find out what component is causing it and fix it. Just food for thought

[Patsi M. Krakoff]

Very interesting and optimistic view point, Brice. I would like to hope your idea has merit. So far, research has only shown negative effects on the brain as well as to lower sperm count in men who are frequent cell phone users.

Activity is not defined here, and not all stimulation is good. There is a big difference in stimulating your brain from thinking and stimulating your brain due to incoming electro-magnetic impulses. One is natural and the other not.