Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields

Backed By Science

Used By Millions

What is PEMF?

PEMF therapy, which stands for Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy, is a non-invasive, drug-free, and natural treatment that uses electromagnetic fields to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. These fields mimic the Earth’s magnetic field and promote a wide range of health benefits. Devices like the CELLER8 or our PEMF mats generate these therapeutic fields, allowing you to easily experience the restorative effects of PEMF therapy.

What is PEMF Commonly Used For?

As mentioned, PEMF therapy creates an optimal environment within the body to support healing and recovery. It can benefit a wide range of conditions, promoting pain relief, reducing inflammation, and encouraging cellular repair. The examples listed below highlight just a few common applications of PEMF therapy, demonstrating its effectiveness across various areas of health and wellness.

Pain Relief & Management

Many users of CELLER8 tell us that since using our mats or CELLER8 itself, they have had significant relief from pain, particularly if they have a chronic condition. This can be attributed to a number of factors, including reducing inflammation, improving circulation, and enhancing oxygen and nutrient delivery, among many others.

 

It has even been shown to be more effective than pain medications and physical therapy in studies, including one very notable one below.

 

There was a randomized controlled trial conducted with 120 patients suffering from joint or soft tissue pain at five orthopaedic clinic sites. The participants were divided into two groups: one received PEMF therapy daily. While the other group received standard-of-care (SOC) treatment as prescribed by their clinician.

 

Over a 14-day period, participants recorded their pain levels, pharmacologic usage, and any adverse events. After the initial 14 days, the SOC group was given the option to crossover to PEMF therapy for an additional 16 days.  The PEMF group showed significant pain relief, with a 36% reduction in pain, compared to just a 10% reduction in the SOC group. Additionally, the PEMF group reduced pharmacologic use by 55%, while the SOC group only saw a 12% decrease.

 

When the SOC group switched to PEMF therapy, they experienced further pain reduction (18%) and a substantial 63% decrease in pharmacologic usage. These results suggest that PEMF therapy is more effective than SOC for managing pain and reducing reliance on medications.

 

PubMed ID: 39928254

Reduce Inflammation

One reason so many users of CELLER8 report improvements in pain levels, mobility, and overall quality of life is due to a reduction in inflammation something PEMF is notoriously known for, especially in inflammatory conditions.

 

The anti-inflammatory and tissue-preserving effects of PEMFs occur through specific actions on A2A receptors (A2ARs), which have also been shown to control brain inflammation and provide neuroprotection following brain damage.

 

In chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and asthma, pro-inflammatory cytokines are continuously released. These cytokines fuel inflammation, contributing to tissue damage and disease progression. They play a central role in driving the inflammatory process characteristic of these conditions, leading to symptoms such as pain, swelling, and tissue dysfunction.

 

Many studies have shown PEMF to be effective in reducing inflammation. One study used 15-gauss PEMFs at 75 Hz, a setting that can be replicated on the CELLER8. This study observed an increase in A2A (adenosine receptors) and ARs (androgen receptors) within the body, which was associated with significant inhibition of the pro-inflammatory signaling pathway (NF-kB). This led to a decrease in both the synthesis and activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

 

Science Direct ID: S1094715921064266 

Cellular Regeneration & Repair

Many users of CELLER8 report faster recovery, improved mobility, and better overall well-being, thanks to PEMF therapy’s ability to enhance cellular repair and regeneration. PEMF plays a significant role in stimulating the body’s natural healing processes at the cellular level. One of the key ways it works is by promoting the growth and activity of specialized cells involved in tissue regeneration.


For example, research has shown that PEMF stimulates chondrocytes (cartilage cells) to rapidly increase in number, develop into specialized cells, and enhance their ability to produce and assemble the extracellular matrix. This effect is linked to the release of anabolic morphogens, such as bone morphogenetic proteins, which are essential for the formation, maintenance, and repair of bones and cartilage.


In addition to this, PEMF promotes the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines through adenosine receptors A2A and A3. The A2A receptor facilitates blood vessel dilation and regulates immune responses, while the A3 receptor plays a role in modulating inflammation and protecting tissues from damage. These mechanisms were observed in both lab-based and in vivo studies, demonstrating PEMF’s potential to accelerate the body’s natural repair and regeneration processes.

PubMed ID: 29020880

Improve Circulation & Oxygenation

Many users of CELLER8 report feeling increased energy, faster recovery, and overall improved well-being, thanks to PEMF therapy’s ability to enhance circulation and oxygenation throughout the body. Proper blood flow is essential for healing, tissue regeneration, and overall health, and PEMF has been shown to significantly improve circulation by stimulating the body’s natural electrical systems. By enhancing blood flow, PEMF enables more effective delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues while also helping to remove metabolic waste products. 


One of the primary mechanisms by which PEMF enhances circulation is through the production of nitric oxide, a molecule that helps relax and widen blood vessels. This process, known as vasodilation, improves blood flow and ensures better oxygen delivery to cells, which is particularly beneficial for healing and recovery. PEMF therapy also aids in improving red blood cell function, allowing them to carry more oxygen throughout the body.


A study investigating the effects of PEMF on small blood vessels in rats showed promising results. The rats were exposed to either PEMF or a placebo treatment for 2 or 60 minutes, and the size of their blood vessels was measured before and after the treatments. The results demonstrated that PEMF caused a significant expansion of the blood vessels, with a 9% increase in size after 2 minutes and an 8.7% increase after 60 minutes. No changes were observed in the rats that received the placebo treatment, and PEMF did not affect blood pressure, heart rate, or tissue temperature. These findings suggest that PEMF can help expand blood vessels, potentially explaining its effectiveness in promoting healing by improving circulation.

 

PubMed ID: 14656663

Improve Energy Levels

Many users of CELLER8 report feeling more energized, experiencing faster recovery, and noticing improved mental clarity, benefits linked to PEMF therapy’s ability to enhance cellular function. One of the primary ways it works is by stimulating the production of ATP, the energy carrier molecule in the body. ATP is essential for nearly every cellular process, including muscle contraction, protein synthesis, and cellular repair. When ATP production is boosted, the body's cells have more energy to perform these vital functions, leading to increased overall energy levels and enhanced recovery.

 

In addition to increasing ATP production, PEMF therapy also enhances the flow of electrons within the body, which helps activate the electron transport chain and improves cellular voltage. This increased cellular energy leads to improved overall vitality and can help reduce fatigue, enhance mental clarity, and promote physical endurance. Studies have shown PEMF to increase ATP levels by up to 400%.

 

As PEMF stimulates the body at a cellular level, it also plays a role in increasing nitric oxide levels, which improves blood flow, oxygen delivery, and nutrient transportation to tissues. These effects further support the body's energy systems, enabling individuals to feel more energetic and perform better throughout the day.

Improve Sleep

One of the first things users of CELLER8 report improving is their sleep. PEMF therapy has been shown to significantly enhance sleep quality, making it a promising option for those struggling with insomnia. One of the key ways PEMF supports better sleep is by stimulating the body's natural relaxation response, reducing stress, and promoting a more balanced sleep cycle. It also helps regulate the autonomic nervous system, encouraging a shift towards the parasympathetic state, which is essential for deep, restorative sleep.


A 4-week study by the Universität der Bundeswehr München in Germany investigated the effects of PEMF devices on insomnia. In the study, 101 patients were randomly assigned either an active PEMF device or a placebo. Among those using the active device, 70% experienced complete relief from insomnia, 24% showed clear improvement, and 6% had slight improvement. The active-treatment group also saw significant improvements in sleep latency (time taken to fall asleep), fewer interruptions, and reduced symptoms like daytime sleepiness, poor concentration, and headaches. Importantly, no adverse effects were reported.


For many users, better sleep is one of the most immediate benefits of PEMF therapy, helping them wake up feeling more refreshed, energized, and ready for the day.
 

PubMed ID: 11697020

Create Optimal Environment to Heal

One of the reasons CELLER8 users report benefits across such a wide range of conditions is that PEMF therapy doesn’t just target symptoms, it helps heal your cells and creates the optimal environment for the body to recover naturally. By stimulating the body’s regenerative processes, PEMF enhances cellular function, reduces inflammation, improves circulation, and promotes tissue repair, allowing the body to heal more effectively and efficiently.


At the cellular level, PEMF boosts the body's ability to repair and regenerate damaged tissues. It activates key biological pathways that increase the production of growth factors, proteins, and enzymes essential for tissue repair. Additionally, PEMF helps maintain and restore cell membrane potential, ensuring cells can function at their best to support healing.


Improved circulation is another crucial benefit of PEMF therapy. By increasing blood flow, it ensures that cells receive the oxygen and nutrients they need while also facilitating the removal of metabolic waste products. This enhanced circulation speeds up recovery and helps create the ideal conditions for the body to heal itself.


Rather than focusing on a single condition, PEMF therapy optimizes the body's internal environment, making it a powerful tool for recovery, regeneration, and overall health.

How PEMF Began - The First Breakthrough 

The discovery of cellular regeneration and its connection to electrical stimulation like PEMF was due to the famous frog leg experiments. In research from the mid-20th century, it was observed that when a frog's leg was injured, applying an electrical current could stimulate the regeneration of tissue. This phenomenon revealed the critical role of bioelectricity in cellular repair and regeneration. The voltage difference across cell membranes what some refer to as the "resting potential" is a key driver of these processes.


When cells are injured or damaged, their electrical potential drops from the optimal range of -70 to -90 millivolts, disrupting their ability to heal and communicate. The frog leg experiments showed that restoring this voltage balance could significantly influence the body's ability to repair itself. This principle aligns with the foundational mechanism of PEMF therapy, which uses pulsed electromagnetic fields to optimize the body’s cells, enabling them to function more effectively.

Leading to PEMFs First FDA Approval

The discovery of cellular regeneration and its connection to electrical stimulation like PEMF was due to the famous frog leg experiments. In research from the mid-20th century, it was observed that when a frog's leg was injured, applying an electrical current could stimulate the regeneration of tissue. This phenomenon revealed the critical role of bioelectricity in cellular repair and regeneration. The voltage difference across cell membranes what some refer to as the "resting potential" is a key driver of these processes.


When cells are injured or damaged, their electrical potential drops from the optimal range of -70 to -90 millivolts, disrupting their ability to heal and communicate. The frog leg experiments showed that restoring this voltage balance could significantly influence the body's ability to repair itself. This principle aligns with the foundational mechanism of PEMF therapy, which uses pulsed electromagnetic fields to optimize the body’s cells, enabling them to function more effectively.

PEMF FDA Approvals

1979 – FDA approved PEMF therapy for healing non-union fractures.
1987 – FDA approved for adjunct therapy when treating postoperative edema and pain.
1998 - FDA approved PEMF Therapy for urinary incontinence and muscle stimulation.
2004 - FDA approved PEMF Therapy for cervical fusion patients at high-risk of non-fusion.
2006 - FDA approved PEMF Therapy for treatment of depression and anxiety.
2011 – FDA approved PEMF Therapy for treatment of brain cancer.

How PEMF Works

The body is electric and its own magnetic field, which can be measured up to 5 feet away. PEMF takes advantage of the fact that we are electric beings with many conductive pathways, such as nerves and muscles. PEMF uses these conductive pathways to induce healing microcurrents in the cells. At a fundamental level, PEMF increases the flow of electrons, helping to activate the electron transport chain, which is an electrical flow that helps charge the cell voltage.


This increased flow of electrons from PEMF can improve ATP levels, which is a molecule that serves as the primary energy carrier in all living cells. ATP is also a signalling molecule and has been shown to increase by up to 400% when using PEMF. This provides the body with more energy to perform functions for healing. PEMF also increases nitric oxide levels, which is a gas that also acts as a signalling molecule in the body and is produced naturally but is increased by PEMF. Nitric oxide helps dilate, relax, and widen blood vessels, increasing blood flow. It enhances the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues, which can aid in healing and muscle performance. Additionally, it plays a role in the immune system by helping to destroy pathogens like bacteria and viruses. Nitric oxide also acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain, influencing cognitive function, memory, and learning.


As both ATP and nitric oxide are signalling molecules, they have a knock-on effect on signalling pathways, helping to stimulate anti-inflammatory pathways, which brings a long list of benefits. Reducing inflammation helps to increase healing, as well as growth factors and regeneration. PEMF stimulates the Nrf2 pathway, a protective pathway that increases heat shock protein 70, which helps keep your body healthy by increasing cellular resistance. It also boosts your cells' natural antioxidants. All of these effects, along with many others, can help your body heal from nearly any condition.

Apply PEMF Therapy

Signalling Molecules Released

Increased ATP production (up to 400%)

Nitric oxide (NO) release

Both act as signalling molecules

Trigger healing & anti-inflammatory pathways

Knock-on Benefits

Improved circulation & oxygen delivery

Reduced inflammation

Faster healing & regeneration

Stronger immune response

Enhanced cognition & mood

Better muscle recovery & performance

Cellular protection via Nrf2 & antioxidants

Apply PEMF Therapy

Signalling Molecules Released

- Increased ATP production (up to 400%)

- Nitric oxide (NO) release

- Both act as signalling molecules

- Trigger healing & anti-inflammatory pathways

Knock-on Benefits

- Improved circulation

- Improved oxygen delivery

- Reduced inflammation

- Faster healing & regeneration

- Stronger immune response

- Enhanced cognition & mood

- Better muscle recovery & performance

- Cellular protection via Nrf2 & antioxidants

Separating Blood Cells

Here is an example of the effect CELLER8 had on blood cells after just one session. In the left image, we see the blood of a healthy man in his 30s before any PEMF treatment. You can observe some Rouleaux stacking (clumping of blood cells) which would be even more prominent in someone with a chronic condition. In the right image, after just one 20 minute session of CELLER8 PEMF therapy, the blood cells are no longer clumped together, and they display a more healthy, rounded shape. This transformation has several benefits, including improved circulation, enhanced cellular oxygenation, better detoxification, and increased immune function. Unstacked blood cells flow more freely, allowing for more efficient oxygen and nutrient delivery, improved energy levels, and better support for the body's natural healing processes.

Will PEMF Work For my Condition? 

Yes, while PEMF therapy is not condition specific, it works by enhancing the body's natural ability to heal itself. PEMF targets your cells, promoting improved blood flow, oxygenation, and cellular regeneration. By creating an optimal environment within your body, it helps to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and support recovery, making it beneficial for a wide range of conditions. Whether you're dealing with chronic pain, injury recovery, or general wellness, PEMF helps your body function at its best to encourage healing.

Understanding PEMF Specifications

Application

When it comes to PEMF, there are two main ways to apply it: through localized applicators like the CELLER8 or our Mini Mat, or through larger mats, such as our full-body and travel mats.


Localized device / Mini Mat: If you want to focus PEMFs on a specific area of the body, a localized applicator is the perfect choice. This includes our CELLER8 localized device and the Mini Mat, both designed to target a smaller, defined area with precision. They’re particularly useful for on-the-go use. The CELLER8 can be strapped directly onto almost any part of the body, while the Mini Mat provides an excellent portable surface for focused sessions. These applicators allow you to give extra attention to injuries, sore muscles, or localised concerns whenever you need it.


Full-body / Travel Mats: That said, PEMF is most powerful when it’s experienced across the whole body. Why? Because the human body is holistic and interconnected from head to toe. Five major systems including circulatory, lymphatic, nervous, connective tissue, and meridian (primo vascular) link every cell, tissue, and organ into a single, dynamic network. To fully energise these systems, you need the wide coverage and deep penetration of a full-body mat. This way, all 37 trillion cells in your body receive the benefit of PEMF, not just the ones near a local applicator.


Even if you’re dealing with a local injury, such as a sprained ankle, a full-body session is still the best option. Healing requires far more than just the ankle itself, blood flow, nutrients, oxygen, immune support, and nerve signals from the entire body all have to mobilise toward the injury site. A full-body mat session helps “switch on” these global systems, laying the foundation for recovery. Once this foundation is activated, a local applicator like CELLER8 or our Mini Mat can then be used to intensify support directly at the site of pain or injury.


The Best of Both Worlds: That’s why we’ve designed our packages to combine both. With a full-body or travel mat, you energise the entire system, while the localized applicators allow you to double down on the areas that need the most attention. Used together, this creates what we call a “sandwich effect” with PEMF coming from multiple angles for deeper, more targeted application. This 2 in 1 approach ensures you don’t just support the surface-level problem but the whole-body processes that make healing possible.

Intensity

Intensity is the strength of the magnetic field produced by a PEMF therapy device; it is usually measured in Gauss, but you may also see μT (1 microtesla is equal to 0.01 gauss), mT (1 millitesla is equal to 10 gauss), or T (1 tesla is equal to 10,000 gauss). For perspective, the Earth has an average intensity of 0.5 gauss, and this is what you get from grounding/earthing barefoot.

 

The CELLER8 has an adjustable intensity of 1 – 100 Gauss, our full-body mat has 1-50 Gauss, our travel mat has 1-55 Gauss, and our mini mat has 1-60 Gauss.

 

CELLER8's intensity range was not plucked out of the air and there is evidence to suggest 1-100 Gauss are the optimal intensities when using PEMFs. One key evaluation was conducted by Mahsa Mansourian and Ahmad Shanei in 2021, which was a review of 92 publications between the years 1999 and 2019. These publications were all studying the cell responses and exchanges in humans and animals when applying PEMFs. They concluded that out of all of these studies the flux densities between 1 and 10 mT (10-100gauss), and chronic exposure more than 10 days would be more effective in establishing a cellular response. These 92 previous studies used a large range of intensities and concluded that the range of which the CELLER8 operates within get the best response from the cells. View study.

Frequency

Frequency refers to how many times a PEMF pulse repeats each second, measured in Hertz (Hz). Think of it like rhythm, just as music has beats per second, PEMF has pulses per second.


While slew rate is the main driver of PEMF’s cellular effects, frequency plays a big role in how your body and mind respond, especially when it comes to brainwave entrainment. Different frequency ranges align with natural brain states:


Delta – Night Program (1–4 Hz): Deep sleep
Theta - Meditation Program (4–8 Hz): Meditation, drifting to sleep
Alpha - Evening Program (8–10 Hz): Relaxation, creative flow
Beta - Morning Program (12–30 Hz): Focus, alertness
Gamma - Custom Program (30–100 Hz): High-level processing


These frequencies also match the Earth’s own natural PEMFs (Schumann Resonances and geomagnetic fields), which our bodies have evolved with over millions of years. Aligning with them helps keep our circadian rhythms, mental state, and cellular function balanced.


For optimal results, use the programs designed for specific times of day at the corresponding time. Choose energising Beta frequencies on the morning program, calming Alpha or Theta on the evening or meditation program, and Delta for deep, restorative sleep on the night program. CELLER8 makes this simple, our four preset programs give you instant access to these ranges, while the Custom Program lets you select any frequency from 1 Hz to 100 Hz.

Waveform & Slew Rate

The waveform is the shape of the PEMF signal. Common examples include sinusoidal (sine), triangular, sawtooth, and square waves. The shape matters because it affects slew rate, the speed at which the magnetic field rises and falls. A high slew rate means the magnetic field changes rapidly, inducing more energy into your cells and triggering stronger biological responses.


Decades of research, including the landmark 2003 NASA study by Thomas Goodwin, have shown that slew rate is the single most important factor in PEMF effectiveness. NASA found that fast-changing square wave signals were significantly more effective than sine or triangle waves, upregulating over 160 growth and regeneration genes and increasing neuronal stem cell production by 400%. They also observed 300–400% increases in mitochondrial density, more “cellular power plants” means more energy for healing and repair.


As shown in the graphic below, NASA compared five different signal shapes: steady/static, sine wave, triangle wave, delta impulse, and square wave. The square wave clearly produced the highest levels of stem cell growth (represented by the dark spots), far outperforming the others. This visual evidence reinforces why waveform shape, and especially slew rate, matters so much for results.


Square waves are so effective because they have both a sharp rise and fall time, like an instant “on” and “off” switch, delivering a steep slope and high slew rate. Slower-changing waves, like sine or triangle, transfer far less energy and have weaker biological effects. Steady or static magnetic fields produce no effect at all.


This is why CELLER8 uses a square waveform, engineered for optimal slew rate and induction. While no PEMF system produces a perfect square wave (electronics can’t change infinitely fast), our design ensures an exceptionally sharp rising edge for optimal cellular stimulation.

Polarity

Polarity refers to the direction in which the magnetic field is traveling, ether north or south. Simply put, the magnetic field is emitted from one side of a mat or localized applicator, forms a loop, and returns to the other side. 

 

Unipolar: A unipolar (monophasic) square wave keeps the magnetic field pointing in the same direction, either constant north or constant south, for every pulse. This means the net current always moves in one direction, which some people like for targeted use. However, over long periods the body can adapt, making it less stimulating.

 

Bipolar: A bipolar (biphasic) square wave alternates between north and south polarity with each pulse. This creates a net current of zero over time, helping stimulation stay balanced, reducing the risk of adaptation, and avoiding charge build-up in tissues, making it ideal for regular sessions. Cells can get used to a constant push in one direction (single polarity), which reduces their responsiveness over time. That ongoing one-way ion displacement can overstimulate cells and limit long-term effectiveness. By reversing polarity, bipolar PEMF mimics a full “workout” for tissues, moving ions one way, then back again, like contracting and relaxing a muscle. This balanced approach not only keeps the regenerative signal fresh but also helps prevent galvanic degradation in implants or metal components.

 

CELLER8 gives you the choice of both. For unipolar, select North or South. For bipolar, select ALT (short for alternating).

PEMF Studies

Since 1951, over 30,000 articles and thousands of university-led studies have explored its effects across a wide range of biological processes and conditions, with several applications even receiving FDA approval. We’ve analysed a wide range of them across different conditions, breaking them down to make them easy to understand. Wherever possible, we’ve included the settings used to achieve their results. With CELLER8's custom mode, you can replicate nearly all of these studies, as most operate at 1-100 gauss, 1-100 Hz, and run for durations ranging from 5 minutes to 12 hours.

ATP - Cellular Energy Production 

You may have heard the saying that the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell, and that's because they are major generators of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), a key molecule in energy storage and transfer in living organisms. One of the most significant applications of PEMFs is enhancing the utilization and production of ATP, thereby boosting energy levels in the body's tissues.

 

To understand how this works, we first need to grasp ATP hydrolysis, the process by which ATP is broken down into ADP (adenosine diphosphate) to release energy. The enzyme responsible for this task is ATPase, which can be found in mitochondria. 

 

When ATPase was exposed to 60 Hz PEMF and different intensities of 3 gauss and 5 gauss this enhanced the hydrolysis activity, whereas 1 gauss exposure caused no significant changes. So, in addition to helping with ATP synthesis, PEMFs increase the production of energy from the ATP itself, but only if the stimulation is above a specific intensity threshold.

 

 PubMed ID: 19496105

Back Pain

The study aimed to investigate whether PEMF therapy could provide additional benefits for people with chronic low back pain compared to traditional physical therapy alone. Conducted at a clinic in Cairo, Egypt, from May 2015 to September 2016, the study involved 50 participants with chronic low back pain. These participants were randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group, which received regular physical therapy plus real PEMF therapy (50Hz frequency, 20 Gauss intensity), and the control group, which received regular physical therapy plus a fake (sham) PEMF therapy. Both groups underwent 12 treatment sessions over four weeks.  

 

The study measured pain levels, disability due to back pain, and the range of motion (ROM) of the lower back. The results showed that the group receiving PEMF therapy experienced significantly less pain and disability and had better lower back movement in all directions (forward, backward, and side to side) compared to the control group. In conclusion, adding PEMF therapy to regular physical therapy resulted in superior improvements in pain relief, daily function, and back movement for patients with chronic low back pain. This suggests that PEMF therapy could be a valuable addition to traditional treatments for chronic low back pain.

 

PubMed ID: 30177406

Breast Cancer

The currently available anti-cancer therapies, such as gamma radiation and chemotherapeutic agents, induce cell death and cellular senescence (a state in which a cell stops dividing) not only in cancer cells but also in the adjacent normal tissue. 

 

They studied how breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) and normal cells found in connective tissue (fibroblasts - FF95) reacted to PEMFs. 

 

PEMFs were applied at a frequency of 8 Hz, intensity of 110 gauss, using a square wave, and applied twice daily for 5 days. 

 

The data collected showed that the application of PEMF decreases the proliferation rate (how quickly cells multiply or reproduce) and viability (their ability to survive and function normally) of breast cancer cells while having the opposite effect on normal fibroblasts. Additionally, PEMF induces cell death and cellular senescence only in breast cancer cells without any effect on the non-cancerous cells. 

 

PubMed ID: 38473720

Brain Health & Traumatic Brain Injuries

This study explored if PEMF could help the brain, especially after injuries like strokes or traumatic brain injuries, by improving blood flow and oxygen levels in brain tissue.

 

PEMF treatment caused the brain's small blood vessels (arterioles) to widen from an average of 26.4 micrometers to 29.1 micrometers, which increased blood flow through the capillaries and sped up red blood cell movement by about 5.5%. This enhanced blood flow improved oxygenation in the brain tissue, as indicated by a specific decrease in a marker (NADH fluorescence). When nitric oxide (NO) production was blocked, these effects did not occur, showing that NO is crucial for PEMF's impact. 

 

This study is the first to demonstrate that PEMF can rapidly enhance blood flow and oxygen levels in the brain's small blood vessels, with benefits lasting at least three hours after just 30 minutes of treatment. These improvements were driven by an increase in nitric oxide, suggesting that PEMF could be a valuable treatment for improving brain health following injuries like strokes or trauma.

 

PubMed ID: 25343187

Blood Vessels Expansion - Vasodilation

This study looked at how pulsed electromagnetic fields affect small blood vessels in rats. The researchers thought that PEMF might help these blood vessels expand, which could be part of how it helps heal injuries. 

 

In the experiment, rats were given either PEMF or a fake treatment for 2 or 60 minutes. The size of their blood vessels was measured before and after the treatments. The results showed that PEMF made the blood vessels expand significantly, with a 9% increase in size after 2 minutes and an 8.7% increase after 60 minutes. The rats that got the fake treatment didn't show any changes in their blood vessels. PEMF didn't affect blood pressure, heart rate, or tissue temperature.

 

These results suggest that PEMF can make blood vessels expand, which might be a reason why it's effective in healing. This effect was not due to changes in overall blood pressure or temperature. 

 

PubMed ID: 14656663

Blood Vessels Formation - Angiogenesis

This study examines how PEMFs affect the growth of new blood vessels in human endothelial cells (HUVECs), a process called angiogenesis, which is crucial for healing damaged tissues.

 

Researchers discovered that exposure to PEMFs with a peak intensity of 40 Gauss and a frequency of 80 Hz enhanced the cells' ability to grow and form new blood vessels by changing how the cells produce energy. Instead of relying on their usual energy production method, which can create harmful by products called reactive oxygen species (ROS), the cells switched to a faster and cleaner energy production process known as glycolysis. 

 

This switch not only provided the cells with more energy but also created a healthier environment for cell growth.  The study also found that this change in energy production was linked to changes in the cells' mitochondria, the parts of the cell that generate energy. Specifically, the mitochondria underwent a process called fission, which helps the cell maintain its energy needs and overall health.

 

Study link: click here

Bone Health - Type 2 Diabetes

Over 12 weeks, mice exposed to PEMF at a frequency of 15 Hz and intensity of 20 Gauss showed significant improvements in both the spongy inner layer (cancellous bone) and the dense outer layer (cortical bone), as evidenced by X-ray imaging.   

 

Additionally, PEMF treatment led to increased bone formation, indicated by higher bone formation activity and faster addition of new bone minerals to existing bone, without affecting the process of bone resorption (the breakdown of bone tissue and release of minerals like calcium into the bloodstream). Gene expression analysis showed that PEMF increased the activity of genes related to bone formation through Wnt/β-catenin signaling but did not affect the signaling involved in osteoclastogenesis (bone breakdown).

 

PubMed ID: 28883516

Cartilage Repair

The research showed that PEMF stimulates chondrocytes (cartilage cells) to rapidly increase in number, develop into specialized cells, and enhance their ability to produce and assemble the extracellular matrix. This effect is linked to the release of anabolic morphogens, such as bone morphogenetic proteins, which are essential for the formation, maintenance, and repair of bones and cartilage.   

 

Additionally, PEMF promotes the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines through adenosine receptors A2A and A3, with A2A facilitating blood vessel dilation and regulating immune responses, while A3 is involved in modulating inflammation and protecting tissues from damage. These findings were observed in both lab-based and in vivo studies. 

 

 PubMed ID: 29020880

Depression

Several studies have highlighted the efficacy of transcranial pulsed electromagnetic field (tPEMF) stimulation in treating depression.  

 

In a double-blind randomized controlled trial by Martiny et al. (2010), tPEMF therapy significantly improved depression scores in 50 patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) over 5 weeks, as measured by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 (HAMD-17).  

 

Rohan et al. (2013) also conducted a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial, demonstrating that a portable electromagnetic device had an immediate positive effect on depression severity in 63 patients with unipolar or bipolar depression. The active treatment group experienced significantly greater improvements than the sham-treated control group.  

 

Straaso et al. (2014) conducted a dose-remission study without a sham treatment, where 65 TRD patients underwent tPEMF stimulation for 8 weeks. This study found a significant reduction in depression scores, with no difference between one and two daily doses, indicating both regimens were equally effective.

 

PubMed ID: 27449361

Doxorubicin "the red devil" 

A 2024 explored how PEMF stimulation could improve the effectiveness of doxorubicin, a drug commonly used to treat various cancers, including breast cancer. The researchers focused on MDA-MB-231, a type of human breast cancer cell, to see if PEMF could enhance doxorubicin's ability to kill cancer cells.

 

In the experiment, cancer cells were treated with doxorubicin and then exposed to PEMF for 60 minutes, three times a day, over 24 or 48 hours. The results showed that combining doxorubicin with PEMF significantly reduced the number of surviving cancer cells compared to using doxorubicin alone.  

 

The study also revealed that PEMF made doxorubicin more effective by increasing the cancer cells' arrest in a specific phase of their growth cycle, known as the late G2 phase. This was achieved by boosting the activity of certain proteins that stop the cell cycle, leading to more DNA damage in the cancer cells. 

 

PubMed ID: 38925852

Headaches & Migraines

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, researchers investigated the effects of PEMF on migraine activity among 42 subjects who met the criteria for migraine according to the International Headache Society. The treatment involved applying PEMF to the inner thighs for one hour per day, five days per week, over a period of two weeks.   

 

During the first month of follow-up, 73% of those who received actual PEMF reported decreased headaches, with 45% reporting a good decrease and 14% an excellent decrease. In contrast, only a small percentage of the placebo group reported decreased headaches, with 20% reporting a good decrease and none reporting an excellent decrease; 15% even reported worse headaches.   

 

Additional findings showed that among the subgroup who received an extra two weeks of PEMF treatment after the initial follow-up, all experienced decreased headache activity, with 50% reporting a good decrease and 38% an excellent decrease.   

 

Conversely, among those who opted not to receive additional treatment, 12 out of 13 still showed decreased headache activity by the second month, with 29% reporting a good decrease and 43% an excellent decrease. 

 

PubMed ID: 11279973

Hypoxia

It's important to understand that low oxygen levels in the body, a condition known as hypoxia, can occur during various situations such as stroke, heart attack, or even just when blood flow is restricted to certain areas. When cells are deprived of oxygen, they can become damaged or even die, leading to serious health issues.

 

In this study, scientists looked at how low-energy electromagnetic fields affect different types of cells in the body. They focused on cells similar to neurons (nerve cells) and microglial cells (immune cells in the brain). Their main goal was to see how these electromagnetic fields might help protect against damage caused by inflammation and lack of oxygen in the cells. 

 

They tested this by exposing the cells to electromagnetic fields and then subjecting them to conditions similar to low oxygen levels for different amounts of time. They found that the electromagnetic fields helped to reduce cell death and prevented cells from undergoing a type of programmed cell death called apoptosis when they were under low oxygen conditions. 

 

Additionally, the electromagnetic fields stopped a protein called HIF-1α, which is involved in responding to low oxygen levels, from becoming active in the cells. They also found that the electromagnetic fields decreased the production of harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are usually produced when cells are starved of oxygen.

 

PubMed ID: 27639248

Insomnia

A 4-week study by the University der Bundeswehr München in Germany looked into PEMF devices for insomnia. 101 patients were randomly given either a working device or a placebo. Among those with the active device: 

 

70% complete relief

24% clear improvement

6% slight improvement 

 

The active-treatment group showed significant improvements in sleep latency, interruptions, sleepiness, concentration, and headaches. No adverse effects of treatment were reported. 

 

PubMed ID: 11697020

Muscle Readiness & Responsiveness

This study investigated how Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) stimulation affects muscle activity during cycling, focusing on its impact on oxygen supply and muscle performance. 20 semi-professional cyclists participated in the study. They performed a cycling exercise where PEMF stimulation was either active or inactive in a randomized order. The exercise session began with a one-minute warm-up phase of cycling without any load, followed by an increase in power to a personalized workload level for each cyclist.  

 

During the exercise sessions, PEMF loops were placed on specific muscles (vastus medialis and biceps femoris) of the right leg to measure their effects. Electromyographic (EMG) activity, which measures muscle electrical activity, was recorded from these muscles. Additionally, blood lactate levels were measured before and during the exercise to understand the metabolic impact of PEMF stimulation.  

 

The results showed that when PEMF stimulation was active, there was a noticeable increase in muscle activity during the initial warm-up phase of cycling. This increase in muscle activity suggests that PEMF could potentially enhance muscle readiness and responsiveness to exercise. Furthermore, the study found that blood lactate levels were higher during PEMF stimulation sessions. Elevated blood lactate levels typically indicate increased utilization of glucose by muscles during exercise, highlighting PEMF's influence on metabolic processes. 

 

PubMed ID: 10048902

Non-union Bone Fracture  

Since 1979, PEMF has been FDA-approved for treating nonunion fractures, which is the body's inability to heal a fracture, making it as one of the earliest recognized applications for PEMF.

 

One study involved 139 patients with established non-union fractures who received PEMF treatment. Patients who used the device for less than an average of three hours a day had a success rate of 35.7% (5 out of 14), while those who used it for more than three hours daily had an 80% success rate (108 out of 135).

 

Treatment success remained consistent regardless of factors such as bone length, fracture type (open or closed), duration of non-union (ranging from nine months to ten years), patient age (under or over 60 years), gender, previous treatment history, infection status, fracture gap size (up to 1cm), or weightbearing status. 

 

Patients who averaged more than three hours of PEMF treatment daily and initially achieved healing were clinically and radiographically reassessed four years post-treatment, revealing that 92% maintained a solid union. 

 

PubMed ID: 10147555

Osteoporosis - PEMF vs Alendronate

In a study on postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) in southwest China, 44 women were randomly assigned to either alendronate, a commonly used medication for treating postmenopausal osteoporosis, or PEMF treatment.  

 

The main goal was to see how these treatments affected bone density in the spine and hip, as well as vitamin D levels, muscle strength, and balance over 24 weeks.  

 

Results showed no significant difference between the two groups in improving bone density, muscle strength, balance, and vitamin D levels. This suggests that PEMF treatment is as effective as the commonly used medication alendronate for PMO over the 24-week period.

 

PubMed ID: 23362148

Pain Medication vs PEMF

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of PEMF therapy as a non-invasive, nonpharmacologic treatment for joint and soft tissue pain. Given the need to reduce reliance on pharmacologic pain management, the study compared PEMF therapy with the standard-of-care (SOC) treatment, which includes conventional pain management approaches like medication and physical therapy.  

 

A prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted with 120 patients suffering from joint or soft tissue pain at five orthopaedic clinic sites. The participants were divided into two groups: one received PEMF therapy daily, self-administration, while the other group received standard treatment as prescribed by their clinician. Over a 14-day period, participants recorded their pain levels, pharmacologic usage, and any adverse events. After the initial 14 days, the SOC group was given the option to crossover to PEMF therapy for an additional 16 days.  

 

The PEMF group showed significant pain relief, with a 36% reduction in pain, compared to just a 10% reduction in the SOC group. Additionally, the PEMF group reduced pharmacologic use by 55%, while the SOC group only saw a 12% decrease. 

 

When the SOC group switched to PEMF therapy, they experienced further pain reduction (18%) and a substantial 63% decrease in pharmacologic usage. These results suggest that PEMF therapy is more effective than SOC for managing pain and reducing reliance on medications. 

 

PubMed ID: 39928254

Period Pain

A total of 40 women aged 20 to 30 with primary dysmenorrhea were selected and randomly divided into two equal groups. Group A received PEMF treatment three times a week for three months, with each session lasting 30 minutes, in addition to standard medical treatment. In contrast, Group B, the control group, received only standard medical treatment, specifically NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).   

 

The researchers assessed menstrual distress and pain using a menstrual distress questionnaire and a VAS (visual analog scale) before and after the treatment for both groups.   

 

The findings indicated significant improvements in menstrual distress and pain scores for both groups after the treatment, with the PEMF group showing more favourable outcomes. The VAS scores demonstrated a highly statistically significant difference after treatment, favouring the PEMF group. Similarly, the menstrual distress questionnaire results the menstrual distress questionnaire results also reflected a significant reduction in symptoms for the PEMF group compared to the non the PEMF group. 

 

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research: Study link

PTSD 

This study explored whether PEMF therapy could reduce PTSD-like behaviours and promote brain cell growth in rats.

 

The rats were divided into groups: some were exposed to PTSD stress, and some weren't, with some receiving PEMF treatment and others not. The PTSD rats treated with PEMF received daily sessions for 14 days, with each session lasting 16 minutes at a frequency of 30 Hz and intensity of 70 gauss.

 

The results showed that these PTSD rats had less fear and anxiety, and improved brain cell growth, compared to those that didn’t receive PEMF. This suggests PEMF might help reduce PTSD symptoms and protect brain health.

 

PubMed ID: 6570745

Reduced DOMS

Yonsei University performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to compare the effects of PEMF therapy and sham treatment on DOMS-related variables in elbow flexors at 24, 48, and 72 hours after delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) induction exercise.

 

In total, 30 healthy male college students measured muscle soreness, peak torque, median frequency (MDF), and electromechanical delay (EMD) during isometric contraction at 24, 48, and 72 hours after DOMS induction exercise.

 

Overall, the application of PEMF was found to be effective in reducing the physiological deficits associated with DOMS, including improved recovery of perceived muscle soreness, MDF, and EMD during isometric contraction, but there was no difference in isometric peak torque generation. This study indicates that PEMF is useful as a modality to reduce DOMS symptoms. 

 

PubMed ID: 24906295

Reduced Inflammation

In chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and asthma, pro-inflammatory cytokines are continuously released. These cytokines fuel inflammation, contributing to tissue damage and disease progression. They play a central role in driving the inflammatory process characteristic of these conditions, leading to symptoms such as pain, swelling, and tissue dysfunction. 

 

One study used 15 gauss PEMFs at 75 Hz, and it was observed to increase A2A (adenosine receptors) and ARs (androgens) within the body. This is associated with a significant inhibition of the pro-inflammatory signalling pathway (NF-kB), leading to a decrease in both the synthesis and activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. 

 

The anti-inflammatory and tissue-preserving effects exerted by PEMFs through the specific action on A2A and ARs show great potential to be exploited also to control brain inflammation and to provide neuroprotection following brain damage. 

 

Science Direct ID: S1094715921064266

Refractory Migraines

In this placebo-controlled study they investigate the effect of PEMF therapy on refractory migraines, which is a type of migraine that does not respond to typical migraine treatments.  

 

They used 10 Hz PEMFs at 40-50 gauss intensity and they saw a significant improvement for the active group in terms of their headache days, durations and work-loss hours due to headache compared to the placebo group after 2 weeks.  

 

The added results of the assessment of the active group indicated a significant improvement in the days and duration of headaches, work-loss hours and number of medications even after a following 4-8-month period. 

 

International Journal of Clinical Trials: Study link

Rheumatoid Arthritis

This study explores the benefits of PEMF therapy in reducing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms using a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model. PEMF, was tested at two frequencies (10 Hz and 75 Hz) on paw inflammation in mice. Results showed that 10 Hz PEMF significantly reduced inflammation, cartilage destruction, and arthritis symptoms.  

 

Histological analysis revealed that PEMF-treated mice showed reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells into tissues, abnormal tissue growth eroding cartilage and bone, and evidence of bone erosion. Proteins in the blood that help regulate immune responses and inflammation showed reduced IL-1β, though other markers like IL-6 and TNF-α were unaffected. However, tissue levels of these cytokines were significantly lower in the joints of treated mice, suggesting that PEMF reduces localized inflammation and preserves joint structure.  

 

Overall, the study suggests that PEMF can help slow RA progression by protecting joint tissues and reducing inflammation, showing promise as a complementary therapy for RA management. 

 

PubMed ID: 36674651

Tinnitus

In a study 58 patients from the Liverpool Tinnitus Association volunteered to take part in a double-blind placebo controlled trial. They applied pulsed electromagnetic stimulation, over the mastoid bone, to see if it caused an improvement in the level of tinnitus in long-standing tinnitus sufferers. At the end of just one week of treatment, each patient noted whether their tinnitus had completely disappeared, was improved, unchanged or made worse by the treatment 45% of the patients who completed the trial were improved by the active device. 

 

PubMed ID: 8877185

White Blood Cell Count

The study investigated the effects of pulsed electromagnetic field exposure with different pulse parameters on white blood cells (WBC) and lymphocytes (LYM) in male BALB/c mice. The mice were divided into groups and exposed to PEMF at 100, 1000, and 10000 Hz, with a control group receiving no exposure. Following the exposure, blood samples were collected to measure WBC and LYM levels. 

 

The results showed that PEMF exposure at 100 and 1000 Hz led to significant increases in WBC and LYM compared to the control group. However, no significant changes were observed in these parameters for the group exposed to 10000 Hz. These findings suggest that lower pulse PEMF exposure can induce significant increases in WBC and LYM, whereas higher pulse exposure does not produce the same effect. This indicates that the response of WBC and LYM to PEMF exposure may vary depending on the number of pulses administered.

 

PubMed ID: 31019981

Wound Healing

This study looked at how low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) help with wound healing, especially during a key phase of skin repair. The researchers tested this on human skin cells, known as dermal fibroblasts (HDFs), which are essential for healing wounds. The cells were exposed to PEMF frequencies of 10-12 Hz and 100 Hz.  

 

They found that the 10-12 Hz PEMF boosted the activity of a gene related to cell growth, helping the skin cells multiply. When exposed to 100 Hz PEMF, the cells moved more quickly to cover the wound, and the structure inside the cells (actin fibers) started organizing earlier. Both frequencies helped the cells mature into myofibroblasts, a type of cell that plays a key role in closing and tightening the wound.  

 

This study showed that PEMF therapy could speed up skin healing by helping skin cells grow, move, and mature faster.

 

PubMed ID: 38807301

PEMF Basic Science Laws

Faraday’s Law of Induction: Faraday’s Law explains that when a magnetic field changes over time, it generates an electric current in nearby conductive materials. In PEMF therapy, your body is that conductor. As the magnetic field from the coil pulses or changes, it induces tiny electrical currents inside your tissues and cells. These microcurrents can influence how cells function and communicate, helping to stimulate the body’s natural processes. In other words, PEMF uses magnetism to create a gentle, targeted electrical effect inside you.

Ampere's Law: Ampere’s Law tells us that when electric current flows through a wire, it creates a magnetic field around it. If that wire is shaped into a loop, the magnetic fields from each part of the loop combine, creating a north–south magnetic field like a bar magnet. Stack multiple loops together into a coil, called a solenoid, and you have an electromagnet. This is exactly how PEMF devices work: electric current flows through coils inside the applicator, producing the magnetic field that will later interact with the body.

Inverse Square Law: The inverse square law says that the intensity of something radiating outward from a point source, like light from a bulb, drops off rapidly with the square of the distance. This is valid for things like light, sound, or radiation from a small, concentrated source. But PEMF coils are not point sources they are loops of wire, and their magnetic fields behave differently. The correct way to calculate PEMF field strength with distance is the Biot–Savart Law, which factors in both the current and the coil’s radius. Larger coils drop off much more slowly, allowing deeper penetration without requiring extreme intensities. This is why claims that you need very high Gauss to “get deep” using the inverse square law are based on flawed physics.

Biot-Savart Law: The Biot–Savart Law describes how a magnetic field is created by an electric current in a conductor, such as the wire in a PEMF coil. It shows that field strength at a given point depends not only on the current but also on the coil’s size and the distance from it. For PEMF, the “penetration depth” is roughly equal to the coil’s radius, meaning a 6-inch radius coil can deliver therapeutic field strengths about 6 inches deep. This is true regardless of body type, because the human body is nearly transparent to magnetic fields. The takeaway: with properly sized and engineered coils, you can achieve deep, effective PEMF without resorting to unnecessarily high intensities.

PEMF Contraindications

Implanted Electronic Devices: one of the main contraindication’s of PEMF therapy are for individuals who have a pacemaker, cochlear implant or an intrathecal pump fitted. If you have an implanted electrical device such as a pacemaker, cochlear implant or an intrathecal pump we do not recommend you apply PEMF therapy because there is a risk there is a risk that the magnetic field produced by a PEMF device can shut the device off or otherwise interfere with its function.

 

Organ Transplants: PEMFs are contraindicated in organ transplant patients. PEMF therapy is not advised after an organ transplant as over stimulation could increase the risk of rejection.

PEMF Cautions

Pregnancy: caution is advised during pregnancy. Whilst there is no evidence of harm caused by using PEMFs during pregnancy, their safety has not yet been established.

 

Neurological Conditions: those with neurological conditions that can cause seizure (e.g epilepsy) are advised to be cautious when using PEMF therapy. Reports of PEMF initiating a seizure are very rare however there is the theoretical potential for this to happen.

 

Active Bleeding: one of the benefits of applying PEMF therapy is the increase in circulation and blood oxygenation but for people suffering from active bleeding i.e after an operation, this may worsen the blood loss and reduce the ability of the blood to clot in order for it heal over properly. Any source of bleeding should be fully controlled before using PEMF therapy.

Learn From Our Founders Podcast

If you’re looking for more information, our founder hosts The PEMF Podcast, created to educate everyone about PEMF and how it works in a simple and easy to understand way. Our episodes dive into the science behind PEMF therapy, its benefits, and how it can be used effectively. Additionally, we feature insights from top healthcare professionals and leading experts in PEMF, providing you with a well-rounded and informative experience.

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Disclaimer

The CELLER8® PEMF device is used for applying PEMF sessions. It does not claim to treat or cure any medical illnesses and you should always discus any medical concerns with your doctor. 

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