Fw: GCI Commentaries - Influence of Geomagnetism

In this commentary I would like to focus on this question: Is there a connection between solar activity, geomagnetic storms and the Schumann resonances and human health and behavior?

In the last commentary, I discussed the Schumann resonances. Like a tuning fork, the earth has natural sound frequencies and these are called Schumann resonances. There are about 1000 lightning storms at any given moment worldwide, which excite the cavity. These resonances form in the conductive ionosphere which acts as a wave-guide. The limited dimensions of the earth cause this wave-guide to act as a resonant cavity for electromagnetic (EM) waves in what are extremely low frequencies bands (see figure below).

The lowest-frequency mode of the Schumann resonances is approximately 7.83 hertz (Hz), with a daily variation of about ± 0.5 Hz. The other frequencies are 14, 20, 26, 33, 39 and 45 Hz.

At the time physicist W.O. Schumann published the results of his research about these resonances in the journal Technische Physik, a Dr. Ankermüller, a physician, immediately made the connection between the Schumann resonances and the alpha rhythm of brain waves. He found the thought of the earth having the same natural resonance as the brain very exciting and contacted Professor Schumann, who in turn asked a doctoral candidate to look into this phenomenon. This doctoral candidate was Herbert König, who became Schumann’s successor at Munich University. König demonstrated a correlation between Schumann resonances and brain rhythms. He compared human EEG recordings with the natural electromagnetic fields of the environment (1979) and found that the first five Schumann resonances, 0-35 Hz, to be within the same frequency range as the brain waves in a human EEG and the 7.8 Hz signal to be very close to the brain’s alpha rhythm frequency.

The first five Schumann resonances overlap with the brain frequency bands. Note: Brain waves are grouped according to their frequencies and are labeled with Greek letters. Their most common frequencies include alpha, beta, delta and theta.

State Frequency Range State of Mind Delta 0.5Hz - 4Hz This occurs in a deep dreamless sleep or unconsciousness. Theta 4Hz - 7Hz This is associated with drowsiness. It also occurs at first stage of sleep and during deep meditation, when we are awake but open to mental imagery. It has been associated with creativity, intuition daydreaming and fantasizing. Believed to reflect activity from the limbic system and increased activity is observed in anxiety, behavioral activation and inhibition. Alpha 8Hz - 12Hz This is the major rhythm seen in a normal, relaxed adult. It is present during most of life. It is considered a common state during alertness but not actively processing information. Alpha has been linked to creativity (creative people show alpha when listening and coming to a solution) and mental work. Alpha activity is also associated with overall mental and body/mind coordination, calmness, alertness and learning. Beta 12Hz - 30Hz Beta reflects highly active processing. Occurs during normal waking consciousness and outward attention. Slow beta: 12-17 is normal information processing and mental activity; Fast beta: 17-30 is heightened alertness and fight or flight, or anxiety. Gamma 30Hz - 100Hz This is associated with waking states and can occur when we are simultaneously processing information in both brain hemispheres. Whales and dolphins also operate in these frequencies.

Since this first discovery, more scientific research has posited that Schumann resonances are very important electromagnetic standing waves, acting as background frequencies and influencing biological oscillators within the mammalian brain.

As long as the properties of Earth’s electromagnetic cavity remain about the same, these frequencies remain the same. Some of the changes that occur in the Schumann resonances are caused by the solar sunspot cycle as Earth’s ionosphere changes in response to changing solar wind associated with the 11-year cycle of solar activity. As the mean intensity of the Schumann resonances increases or decreases because of day/night differences, changes in solar activity, global weather, etc., our brains and nervous systems respond to the changes.

Resonance may be defined as the frequency at which an object most naturally wants to vibrate. For example: In coherent systems, one object may set another object into motion if it shares the same resonant frequency. If, for example, you strike a tuning fork of 100 cycles per second and bring it near another tuning fork of that same frequency, the second tuning fork will be set in motion. Even though it has not been struck, the second fork will begin to vibrate and radiate a sound merely by being in the same field as the vibrating tuning fork.

Similar to the tuning-fork example, evidence shows it is possible for the brain to detect, tune into and respond to a Schumann resonance signal.

The question arises: How are we able to tune into the Schumann resonances?
The answer is that our brain possesses Zeitgeber, a German word that translates literally to time givers and refers to external agents or events that provide signals – in this case, the Schumann resonances. These external signals help the human biological system to become synchronized with the daily rhythmic cycles of the earth.

Research within the last decade shows that significant alteration in solar and geomagnetic activity caused by such things as geomagnetic storms can precipitate significant changes in the intensity and stability of a Schumann resonance signal. This can take a Schumann resonance signal outside of its normal range and induce alterations in brain and heart synchronization and changes in the brain’s melatonin level.

Some ill effects associated with changes in solar geomagnetic activity:

• Altered blood pressure.
• Reproductive, immune system, cardiac and neurological problems.
• Mental disorders, depression and suicide.
• Increased hospital admissions, accidents and sudden death, as well as countless other stress-related conditions.

A number of human reaction-time experiments have been conducted relative to external events and Schumann resonances. In 1974, for example, König showed that human reaction times were significantly correlated with the intensity of the 8-10 Hz Schumann signal. Ten Hz have been shown to speed up reaction times, while 3-Hz signals from local thunderstorms have been shown to significantly lower reaction times. This phenomenon can be demonstrated by changes in EEG patterns and calcium ion uptake in the brain.

The effects of manmade electromagnetic fields on human health
The electromagnetic fields generated by power supply systems, telecommunications, appliances, computers and other technology produced by humans are extremely powerful and in some cases have been associated with increased incidence of cancer, heart disease, depression and other diseases. Exposure to strong electromagnetic fields in residential areas and in certain occupations has been documented as significantly increasing the incidence or risk of the listed diseases. Certain groups of people such as the elderly, children, women who are pregnant and the weak have been found to be more sensitive or susceptible to adverse effects from these fields than the rest of the population. (As is often the case with research, there are opposing opinions on the existence or extent of such adverse effects.)

Thus we see that the Schumann resonances, geomagnetic and solar activity influence human health and behavior. It is exciting to see that the study of Schumann resonances points towards the interconnectedness of all (us, our planet earth, the sun, and probably many other planetary factors we are not aware of yet).

Much more detailed research has been carried out, but it is beyond the scope of this commentary to go into it.

So, in summary, researchers have found evidence indicating that human health and behavior appear to be affected by changes in Schumann resonances. Also, many scientists believe these resonances may be important in human biological cycles.

Possible future considerations for scientists with respect to the Schumann resonances include learning why some people are adversely affected by changes in them, why most people are not and what can be done to help those who are.

In addition to exploring whether mood and health are affected by Schumann resonances, researchers also have studied whether there is a link between historical events such as wars and social unrest with the solar cycle and resulting changes in ionospheric activity. I will write more on this subject in an upcoming commentary.

Allow me to mention two items not directly related to today’s topic:

• Because increased geomagnetic activity can cause an imbalance in heart-brain synchronization, we want to encourage you to practice coherence regularly to help you maintain that balance.
• You probably have received e-mails about the GCI’s current Interconnectedness Study, which is aimed at helping us gain a more holistic picture of human health and behavior and how these are influenced by various planetary factors. We will keep you informed about the results. A likely second Interconnectedness Study, in case you missed out on this one, should take place in about six months.

Remember what Albert Einstein said: "Everything in life is vibration."

Until next time, best wishes for good vibrations in your life,

Annette Deyhle, Ph.D. and GCI Research Team

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New Research Links Nutrasweet to Leukemia and Lymphoma

New Research Links Nutrasweet to Leukemia and Lymphoma

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) announced in April that, “there is no indication of any genotoxic or carcinogenic potential of aspartame.” But in fact, aspartame is an addictive, excitoneurotoxic, genetically engineered carcinogen.

In 2005, a rigorous three year study on 1,800 rats concluded that aspartame causes significant increases in lymphoma and leukemia and is a multi-potential carcinogen. EFSA invented “deficiencies” in the study. But a second study entirely verified the first one. Dr. Morando Soffritti, who led both projects, noted that so much formaldehyde developed in aspartame-exposed rats that their skin turned yellow.

The U.S. FDA approved aspartame as a synthetic sweetener in 1981. However, studies given to the FDA by the manufacturer hid the fact the poison caused tumors in lab rats.

Sources:

DORway.com May 27, 2009

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

Aspartame is the technical name for the brand names NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, and Equal-Measure. It is one of the first generations of artificial sweeteners and is 180 times sweeter than sugar. It is also one of the most dangerous chemicals that should never have been allowed in food.

At the end of 2008, aspartame was found in over 6,000 products; everything from soft drinks to frozen desserts, yoghurt and chewable vitamins. Products containing aspartame are sold in over 100 countries and are consumed by over 250 million people worldwide.

Slick marketing of products containing aspartame by giants in the food industry -- especially marketing that sends the message it’s healthy to consume these products – have been brainwashing and lulling consumers into a false sense of security for decades.

Making matters worse, the very agencies that are supposed to protect you are vested in maintaining this deception. Loads of money and political careers are at stake here.

The Fraudulent Approval of a Toxin

The tale of how aspartame got to market is a disturbing one. The approval process for aspartame was riddled with scandal, bribes and other shady dealings within the pharmaceutical industry, large American corporations, and the FDA.

Initially, the FDA actually denied the approval of aspartame due to:

• Flawed data
• Brain tumor findings in animal studies
• Lack of studies on humans to determine longer-term effects

Unfortunately, despite these valid concerns, including evidence of its neurotoxicity, aspartame was successfully pushed through to the market by heavy financial investment and political clout.

G.D. Searle spent tens of millions of dollars to conduct the necessary approval tests on aspartame. Not surprisingly, studies funded by Searle and other groups with a financial interest in aspartame found no adverse health effects. However, independent studies showed that the converse was true.

Test subjects in studies that were not tainted by conflict of interest did indeed suffer health problems.

Aspartame – Embalming the Living

As described in the article above, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) announced on April 20, 2009:

“… on the basis of all the evidence currently available including the [second] published ERF study there is no indication of any genotoxic or carcinogenic potential of aspartame and that there is no reason to revise the previously established ADI (allowable daily intake) for aspartame of 40mg/kg bw/day.”

It boggles my mind to try to understand how anyone could come to this conclusion in the face of available evidence spanning more than 25 years.

EFSA claims that the 2005 study by the Ramazzini Foundation (which concluded that aspartame causes significant increases in lymphomas/leukemias and is a multi-potential carcinogen) was “deficient.”

They even dismissed the second study, performed by the same team in 2007, which showed that the aspartame-exposed rats developed so much formaldehyde in their bodies that their skin turned yellow.

It is this formation of formaldehyde that is the link between aspartame and lymphoma and leukemia. It is well known aspartame turns into wood alcohol when it is consumed, however, few people realize this wood alcohol morphs into formaldehyde – the same stuff used for embalming – in the cells of your body.

Formaldehyde is a Class 1 cancer-causing agent, responsible for everything from sick house syndrome to birth defects, and research shows it causes lymphoma and leukemia in both lab rats and humans.

The U.S. Environmental Protection agency (EPA) listed formaldehyde as a “probable human carcinogen” as far back as 1987. And in 2004 the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified it as a “known human carcinogen” based partly on available research linking it to leukemia.

Aspartame intake has also been shown to increase your risk of breast or prostate cancer. Incidents of both types of cancer have been on the rise at a pace closely associated with the expanding use of aspartame throughout the world.

There are over 900 published studies on the health hazards of aspartame. (You can find a list in the National Library Medicine Index.) So to still insist that aspartame is safe today is a staggering example of coming to the wrong conclusion in the face of a mountain of evidence.

Formaldehyde Created by Aspartame Accumulates in Your Body

As recently as May of this year, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published yet another study confirming the link between formaldehyde exposure and a significantly increased risk of dying from cancers of the blood and lymphatic system.

Industry mouthpieces claim that the formaldehyde formed can be quickly eliminated by your body, but previous research again claims otherwise.

According to a 1998 study in Life Sciences, formaldehyde derived from dietary aspartame does bind to tissues and accumulates in various organs such as your liver, brown and white adipose tissues, muscle, brain, cornea and retina.

The researchers stated:

“… regular intake of aspartame may result in the progressive accumulation of formaldehyde adducts. It may be further speculated that the formation of adducts can help to explain the chronic effects aspartame consumption may induce on sensitive tissues such as the brain.

In any case, the possible negative effects that the accumulation of formaldehyde adducts can induce is, obviously, long-term.

The alteration of protein integrity and function may need some time to induce substantial effects. The damage to nucleic acids, mainly to DNA may eventually induce dell death and/or mutations.

… It is concluded that aspartame consumption may constitute a hazard because of its contribution to the formation of formaldehyde adducts.”

Aspartame has Generated Unprecedented Numbers of FDA Complaints

There have been more reports to the FDA for aspartame reactions than for all other food additives combined.

Less than a year after aspartame was granted approval for use in soft drinks in 1983, the FDA had recorded 600 consumer complaints of headaches, dizziness and other health-related reactions from aspartame consumption.

The unprecedented number of complaints caused the FDA to call in the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), who concluded that adverse reactions to aspartame were occurring in “unusually sensitive” individuals, but that there was insufficient evidence to prove existence of wide-spread health problems attributable to its consumption.

Health problems initially reported included:

• Neurological/behavioral symptoms (67 percent), including headaches, dizziness, and mood changes such as depression
• Gastrointestinal symptoms (24 percent)
• Allergic type and/or dermatologic symptoms (15 percent)
• Alterations in menstrual patterns (6 percent)
• Other symptoms of various types (9 percent)

Today, there are some 10,000 documented reports of adverse reactions to aspartame, including death. But since it is estimated only about one percent of people who experience a reaction report it, it is safe to assume at least a million people have had a reaction to this chemical.

Migraines are by far the most frequently reported reaction. Other commonly reported symptoms of an aspartame reaction include:

change in vision	convulsions and seizures
sleep problems/insomnia	change in heart rate
hallucination	abdominal cramps/pain
memory loss	rash
nausea and vomiting	fatigue and weakness
dizziness/poor equilibrium	diarrhea
hives	joint pain

Are Your Health Problems Related to Aspartame Consumption?

You might not realize you’re having a reaction to aspartame. In fact, most people don’t make the connection, and a tremendous amount of time and money is spent by aspartame “reactors” (people sensitive to the chemical), trying to find out why they are sick.

To determine if you’re having an adverse reaction to aspartame, take the following steps:

1. Eliminate all artificial sweeteners from your diet for one to two weeks.
   
   (Note: If you typically consume aspartame in caffeinated drinks, you’ll want to gradually reduce your intake in order to avoid caffeine withdrawal symptoms.)
2. After one to two weeks of being artificial sweetener-free, reintroduce aspartame or other artificial sweetener in a significant quantity (at least three servings daily) and avoid other artificial sweeteners during this period.
3. Do this for one to three days and notice how you feel, especially as compared to when you were consuming no artificial sweeteners.
4. If you don’t notice a difference in how you feel after re-introducing aspartame, it’s a safe bet you’re able to tolerate aspartame acutely, meaning your body doesn’t have an immediate, adverse response. However, this doesn’t mean your health won’t be damaged in the long run by this chemical and its breakdown products.

Do Your Health a Favor, Opt for Natural Flavors

I can’t overstate the importance of avoiding aspartame to your short- and long-term health, the quality of your life, and the lives of your loved ones. I hope you’ll take this information to heart and eliminate aspartame and other artificial sweeteners from your diet.

You can read more about aspartame and other artificial sweeteners in my comprehensive book, Sweet Deception, as well as in the outstanding book by H.J. Roberts, Aspartame Disease – An Ignored Epidemic.

I also highly recommend watching the excellent documentary Sweet Misery.

Related Links:

Aspartame -- Avoid It

Aspartame -- History of Fraud and Deception

Aspartame: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You