Are EMFs Harmful or Healing? Understanding Natural, Manmade & Therapeutic EMFs
EMFs: Friend or Foe?
EMFs are a hot topic of discussion these days, especially on social media. Many people are (rightfully) concerned about excessive EMF exposure, but most are confused about exactly what EMFs are, the differences between man-made and natural (sometimes called native) EMFs, how they affect our biology, and how EMFs (good and bad) are produced by the myriad devices we use each day. In this article, we will dig into all of this and more, with the goal of educating and empowering consumers to make safe, healthy choices about EMF exposure.
What Are EMFs?
EMFs are produced by the movement of electrically charged particles and consist of two inseparable components: electric and magnetic fields. When these fields oscillate, they travel through space as electromagnetic radiation. While some EMFs remain close to their source (like static electric or magnetic fields), others radiate outward and can interact with biological systems. Understanding how they behave – and how the body responds – is key to using them wisely.
EMFs vary in characteristics, including:
- Frequency – how often the field oscillates per second (measured in Hz).
- Wavelength – the distance between wave peaks.
- Intensity – the strength of the electric or magnetic component.
- Waveform – the shape of the wave (sine, square, etc.).
- Coherence – how synchronized or orderly the waveforms are.
- Pulsing – whether the field is continuous or switches on and off rhythmically.
Biological impact depends not only on these factors, but also on how close the field is to the body and whether exposure is short-term or continuous. These details matter more than whether an EMF is “natural” or “manmade.”
Natural vs. Manmade EMFs
Natural EMFs are those the body evolved with over millennia. Sunlight, for instance, provides visible light as well as invisible ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) rays. The Earth itself generates a powerful, steady magnetic field and a weak but essential electric field. Natural resonances like the Schumann frequencies pulse in extremely low frequencies (ELF), helping regulate brainwaves and circadian rhythms.
These EMFs tend to be low in intensity, rhythmically patterned, and biologically coherent. They fluctuate in ways the body recognizes, often in harmony with other cycles, such as sunrise and sunset, weather systems, and seasons. They support functions like sleep, hormone balance, mitochondrial activity, and mood.
Manmade EMFs have become a dominant presence in our environment over the last century.
These include:
- Power lines and household wiring – Power lines emit ELF electromagnetic fields that oscillate in sync with the electrical grid. Power line fields are continuous and pervasive, especially in urban and suburban areas, while devices like power cords, and chargers emit ELF fields if they are powered.
- TV and radio broadcasts – Traditional broadcast systems use a wide range of radio frequencies to transmit audio and video signals. Though distant from the body and less intense individually, they contribute to the overall EMF environment.
- Cell towers, smartphones, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth – Cell towers and phones emit pulsed, modulated microwave signals for voice and data. Bluetooth is considered a low-power technology, but because devices like earbuds and wearables are in constant skin contact, biological exposure may be more significant than power levels suggest. Wi-Fi routers emit pulsed high frequency radiation to transmit data wirelessly throughout homes and buildings. These EMF sources expose users to high frequency radiation almost continuously.
- Smart meters – Smart meters emit sharp bursts of high frequency radiation, often hundreds of times a day, to transmit utility data wirelessly. Their signals fall in the same range as Wi-Fi but are uniquely problematic due to proximity to living spaces and frequent pulsing.
- Appliances and electronics – Appliances and electronics often produce stray electric and magnetic fields, especially when plugged in.
These EMFs differ not just in source, but in structure. They are often pulsed, modulated to carry data, emitted 24/7, and delivered at much higher intensities or in close contact with the body (such as ear buds or cell phones). They are biologically novel, meaning the body hasn’t had evolutionary time to adapt to them.
EMFs emitted by these sources contribute to what is often called “electrosmog”, which can be described as an invisible haze of artificial electromagnetic radiation that now fills our homes, workplaces, and public spaces. As more wireless and electronic technologies are layered into daily life, the electrosmog EMF load continues to grow, creating a baseline level of exposure that is unprecedented in human history. To put this into context, it is estimated that exposure to EMFs around the 1Gz frequency band has increased by more than a quintillion times in just over a century.
Therapeutic manmade EMFs, on the other hand, are intentionally designed to support health and healing.
The two most used therapies are:
Photobiomodulation
Photobiomodulation is the use of specific wavelengths of non-ionizing light to influence biological function, particularly at the cellular level. The use of red and near-infrared light is commonly referred to as Red Light Therapy and is typically delivered through panels or flexible wraps. Research suggests that the most effective light intensities fall within a range that is comparable to safe levels of natural sunlight. By mimicking the wavelengths and gentle intensity of natural sunlight, these devices help recreate the EMFs of natural light in a targeted, therapeutic way.
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Therapy uses pulsing magnetic fields to stimulate biological processes in the body. While the Earth’s magnetic field is static and steady, PEMF therapy introduces rhythmic pulses to mimic natural patterns (such as biological electric rhythms), making the field dynamic and biologically engaging. By pulsing at frequencies that align with Earth-based rhythms, such as the Schumann Resonance (~7.83 Hz), PEMF therapy delivers magnetic fields designed to support cellular repair, circulation, and nervous system balance.
Not All EMFs Are Harmful
It’s easy to label all EMFs as dangerous, especially in a culture increasingly aware of electrosmog. But not all EMFs are harmful, and some are profoundly beneficial.
Here’s what research has shown across the spectrum for the different types of EMFs present in our environment:
Natural EMFs:
- Sunlight and Circadian Rhythms -Sunlight acts as the body’s primary circadian pacemaker, helping synchronize the sleep-wake cycle, hormone secretion, and metabolic processes through direct input to the brain’s suprachiasmatic nucleus.
- UVB and Vitamin D Production – Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation stimulates the production of vitamin D in the skin, which supports immune function, bone metabolism, and has been linked to improved mood and reduced risk of depression.
- Sunlight and Serotonin – Sunlight exposure may boost mood through mechanisms beyond vitamin D—specifically by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, a neurotransmitter associated with calmness, focus, and emotional stability.
- Schumann Resonances and Brain Activity -Schumann resonances—natural electromagnetic standing waves centered around 7.83 Hz—closely align with alpha brainwave activity and may play a role in regulating mental states, emotional balance, and sleep cycles.
- Earth’s Magnetic Field and Biological Regulation – The Earth’s static magnetic field, though constant and low in intensity, has been linked to biological processes such as orientation, circadian timing, and melatonin regulation. Some studies suggest it acts as a stabilizing background influence on the nervous system.
- Ionizing Radiation from Natural Sources – Not all natural EMFs are inherently beneficial. Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun can cause DNA damage, accelerate skin aging, and increase the risk of skin cancer. Other forms of natural ionizing radiation (like cosmic gamma rays and solar X-rays) can also damage cells and contribute to background radiation exposure.
Therapeutic Manmade EMFs:
- Photobiomodulation – Photobiomodulation (especially red/near infrared light therapy) has been shown to reduce pain and inflammation, support healthy circulation, and speed up healing in both skin and deeper tissues. It works by improving energy production inside cells and modulating oxidative stress, making it useful for everything from muscle recovery to wound care. Studies also suggest benefits for mood, brain function, athletic performance, and skin rejuvenation.
- PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy) – PEMF therapy has been shown to reduce inflammation, increase blood flow, promote tissue regeneration, and even support healing of bone and tendon. It has been found to be helpful in supporting athletic performance, speeding recovery from exercise, and preventing injuries.
Non-Therapeutic Manmade EMFs:
- Oxidative Stress – Exposure to non-ionizing EMFs, such as those from Wi-Fi and mobile devices, has been associated with increased oxidative stress. This oxidative stress can lead to cellular damage and has been implicated in various health concerns.
- Disruption of Calcium Signaling – EMFs can activate voltage-gated calcium channels, leading to elevated intracellular calcium levels. This disruption in calcium signaling can affect numerous cellular processes and has been linked to potential health risks.
- DNA Damage – Research indicates that exposure to non-ionizing EMFs can cause genetic damage, such as DNA strand breaks and chromatin conformation changes. Such genetic alterations may increase the risk of mutations and have been observed in various cell types.
- Circadian Rhythm Disruption – Although research has been mixed, EMF exposure may affect melatonin production and disrupt circadian rhythms. This interference with the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle can have broader implications for overall health.
- Reduced Fertility – Studies have found that non-ionizing EMFs can negatively impact female reproductive health (including effects on oocytes, ovarian follicles, hormonal balance) and sperm count. These changes may lead to decreased fertility and other reproductive issues.
Many natural EMFs, like sunlight, are essential for human health. Therapeutic EMFs harness these beneficial frequencies and structure them in a way the body can use. On the other hand, non-therapeutic manmade EMFs – those not designed with biology in mind – have been linked to biological harm.
Manmade EMFs Done Right
Not all EMF-based therapies are created equal. While devices used for Red Light Therapy and PEMF devices can offer profound health benefits, they can also unintentionally introduce harmful EMFs into the body—especially when the devices are poorly designed. High levels of magnetic field emissions, flicker, stray current, and wireless communication features like Bluetooth can all contribute to a hidden “EMF load” that undermines the very benefits these therapies are meant to deliver.
Therapy that heals, not harms
At fringe, we believe that therapeutic EMF devices should support the body, not stress it. That’s why our Red Light Therapy products are engineered with EMF-conscious design principles that prioritize user safety. By minimizing unnecessary electromagnetic exposure and mimicking natural EMF patterns in both wavelength and delivery, our devices provide powerful therapeutic benefits without adding to the invisible burden of electrosmog.
here's how we do it
- No Bluetooth or wireless connectivity – this eliminates constant RF emissions.
- External power supply on our panels – keeps electric and magnetic fields away from the body.
- Flicker-free light output – supports nervous system regulation and avoids sub-perceptual stress.
- Biomimetic wavelengths and irradiance – replicates natural red and near-infrared light from sunlight.
- Battery-powered wraps – eliminate wall current entirely for a low-EMF experience during use.
therapy that heals, not harms
Meanwhile, many “smart” therapeutic devices on the market prioritize app control and convenience over biological safety. These features often involve permanent Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity, keeping RF radiation active near the body, even when the device is not in use. What’s marketed as “smart” is often out of sync with the body’s natural biology and may ultimately do more harm than good.
When it comes to manmade therapeutic EMFs, smart design means staying close to nature and using modern engineering to deliver powerful, biologically aligned therapies without introducing avoidable stressors.
At Fringe, that’s our commitment: Therapy that heals, not harms.
conclusion
EMFs aren’t inherently friend or foe. They’re simply the products of nature and technology. Some are natural (like the rhythms of sunlight or the Earth’s magnetic field) while others (like the constant digital noise from wireless networks and power grids) can disrupt biological balance. The question isn’t whether EMFs are good or bad, it’s whether they’re in harmony with the systems our bodies are built to understand.
At Fringe, our devices are built to emit EMFs that heal, not harm. We design every product with intention to reduce invisible stress, align with nature, and deliver therapeutic energy in its most biologically compatible form. Our Red Light Therapy products are designed with smart, low-EMF engineering: no Bluetooth, no flicker, external power supplies, and biologically aligned wavelengths and intensity. We believe therapeutic EMFs should support healing without adding to the body’s invisible electrosmog burden, and we build every product with that principle in mind.
about the author
Dr. Genevieve Newton, DC, PhD spent close to 20 years as a researcher and educator in the field of nutritional sciences before joining Fringe as its Scientific Director. Gen’s job is to “bring the science” that supports Fringe’s products and education. She is passionate about all things Fringe, and is a deep believer in healing body, mind and spirit using the gifts of the natural world.
The contents in this blog; such as text, content, graphics are intended for educational purposes only. The Content is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider.
