Negative Ions: why nature feels so good
What are Negative Ions: negative ions are electrically charged molecules in the atmosphere.
Air ions come into existence when high energy acts on a gaseous molecule/atom to eject an electron.The displaced electron attaches itself to a close by molecule which becomes a negative ion and the original molecule becomes a positive one. We are constantly bombarded with both negative and positive ions.
When elements in nature like tree branches and leaf points have a higher difference in electric fields compared to their surroundings, a gaseous discharge happens which will cause negative ions to be released.
Negative ions have shown to have wide effects on animal/human health, anti microorganisms and plant growth
Natural Energy Sources of Negative Ions:
Radiant or cosmic rays in the atmosphere: radioactive elements like uranium and radium decay in the atmosphere and emit rays which ionize the air. These cosmic ray ionizations are the main energy sources that generate negative ions above the oceans.
Sunlight: photoelectric effect is when electrons are emitted as a result of certain wavelengths of light shining onto a metallic surface. Negative ions are created by accepting those emitted electrons. Only some wavelengths of light can emit electrons.
Natural discharge (thunder and lightning): the atmosphere has a natural electric field. Fluctuation of energetic fields is influenced by the environment like rain, thunderstorms, fog, mist.
Mountain regions + thunderstorms + lightning create high electric fields compared to the lower atmospheric pressure, causing discharge which will generate negative ions.
Forces of water: high volume of negative ions are found under waterfalls due to the Lenard effect (also called waterfall effect). Lenard effect is when negative ions are generated from the air molecules generated when water droplets collide with each other or a wet solid.
Typically negative ions are not stable and will eventually degrade. When negative ions are combined with water molecules, their lifetime is typically longer.
Plant based negative ion release: under normal growth conditions plants have been reported to have the ability to generate negative ions. Plants can release even greater levels of negative ions under pulsed electric field stimulation.
A study done in 2010 discussed how air ions can play a role in preventing transmission of Acinetobacter infection (bacterial).By negatively charging the plastic medical equipment and the particles in the air, it showed to have the effects of repelling rather than attracting airborne bacteria.
Negative ions have shown to provide alleviation of seasonal affective disorder and significantly increase performance of tasks like: mirror drawing, visual reaction time and auditory
A study in 2006 done on mice showed water generated negative ions significantly enhanced cytotoxic activity of natural killer cells, significantly decreased incidence of cancer and inhibited tumor growth. The anti tumor effects were attributed to increased activity of killer cell activity.
Positive Ions:
A study done in 2010 showed: most dangerous levels of harmful positive ions were in polluted, industrialized cities. A saturation of positive ions reduces production of beneficial negative ions.
Source: factory smoke, dust, car fumes, electromagnetic pollution
When there are a large volume of people in an enclosed space it will prompt saturation of positive ions as the negative ions get used up quickly.
Television gives off electric emissions that generate positive charges.
