Paleo Summit Hack-a-thon: Daniel Chong, 3/3 - PaleoHacks.com

Paleo Summit Hack-a-thon: Daniel Chong, 3/3

2012-03-03T02:13:49Z

What: The Paleo Summit (see also this post)

Who: Dr. Daniel Chong – Naturopathic Doctor

Topic: Earthing as an Essential Nutrient. Paleolithic man walked barefoot and slept on the ground. However, in our modern insulated world, we seldom come in contact with the Earth’s surface. Does connecting to the Earth have a healing effect on the body? Dr. Chong explains the known and proven benefits of Earthing.

What did you think of this presentation?

Answer by Nance for Paleo Summit Hack-a-thon: Daniel Chong, 3/3

2012-03-03T18:33:03Z

My friends need something to tease me about on any given day and one of the opportunities I provide (other than my water kefir "still") is that I like to walk around barefoot (in the absence of extreme cold or heat.)

I've actually burned my feet here in southern Nevada a few times by under-estimating just how hot the sand/gravel were getting. Anyhow, none of them are ever seen without shoes even inside while I am barefoot unless I'm walking outside or away from home.

I've also scandalized them a few times by sitting cross-legged on the sand/gravel rather than joining them at the picnic table or in a chair. But seriously, it DOES feel good to me to be in contact with the Earth whether it's the sand/gravel here, the red clay when I lived in West Virginia or the black soil of Massachusetts and Wisconsin.

On grass, I like to lie flat on my belly and rest my cheek on my arms. Unfortunately, I tend to itch when I get up but I still do it at times.

I don't know about negative ions or parasympathetic processes, etc., but I know I like "earthing" which I always called "sitting/walking/sprawling." :-))

Answer by henny for Paleo Summit Hack-a-thon: Daniel Chong, 3/3

2012-03-03T19:07:55Z

I just listened to this after coming inside from hanging my laundry in bare feet! I usually spend a few hours of the day in and out of the house in bare feet.

This Earthing is similar to the Japanese idea of using magnets to ground you. Their idea is that the Earth has a magnetic core and we are further removed from that than we once were- same idea as what Dr. Chong said. I actually sleep on a magnetic mattress pad and find that my sore muscles recover quicker than if I use a regular mattress. When I wear shoes I use magnetic insoles (when I wear sandals I don't).

Answer by Mazer for Paleo Summit Hack-a-thon: Daniel Chong, 3/3

2012-03-03T19:49:53Z

Interesting concept. I love being barefoot and in direct contact with the ground. Google Scholar doesn't turn up too much, but there is some interesting research on man-made EMFs (both low and high frequency) and their effects on cell mutation. I would have liked some citations at the end of his presentation, but overall I enjoyed it.

Answer by Caleb the Hobbit for Paleo Summit Hack-a-thon: Daniel Chong, 3/3

2012-03-03T20:14:39Z

I completely agree that we do need to ground ourselves in certain ways. I'm very sensitive to EMFs. (Example, I've slept better when i turn off and unplug my computer and phone. What I don't get is using technology to counteract it, like those pads. It sounds more like a ploy for my money.

Why not just limit exposure to EMFs, actually go barefoot, etc? I know some people will say it's moving toward re-enactment, but I'm a lot happier when I don't have appliances, don't use my computer or other electronics a lot, etc. And I'd prefer to live in the country and sleep on the floor or ground.

Sure, let's ground ourselves. But let's do so naturally and not try to "earth-ify" or "paleo-fy" our all-too-modern lives.

Answer by Eric for Paleo Summit Hack-a-thon: Daniel Chong, 3/3

2012-03-04T08:19:48Z

I like to go barefoot. Sand is my favorite...

I would encourage folks not to purchase the electronic device that plugs into the wall... Your house may be wired incorrectly and you may have a floating ground. WHich means ground could actually have voltage on it...