Salt lamps and their effect on our health: what are they good for?

Salt lamps from the Himalayas have become very popular in recent years. They particularly appeal to people who want to promote their health in a natural way or who want to make their lifestyle more natural. What exactly is a salt crystal lamp good for? We’ll tell you below.

What are salt lamps?

Salt lamps are made from pink Himalayan chunks of salt. In addition, the middle of the rock is hollowed out and a light bulb is placed in it as a heat source. Pink Himalayan salt is a salt crystal that comes from the Himalayan mountains in Pakistan. In its chemical structure, this salt is similar to table salt and contains mainly sodium chloride. It also contains trace minerals of potassium, magnesium and calcium, which give the salt its pinkish-red hue. The minerals are also the reason why Himalayan salt has a different taste than normal table salt.

Himalayan salt lamps are common in spa centers, but they can now be purchased online for personal use and in most stores. Most people use Himalayan salt lamps because they like their look and warm light. Others believe in the supposed health benefits of these lamps.

How do salt lamps work?

The way the salt lamps work is based on a process known as air ionization. This means that they release negative ions into the air. Rain showers, waterfalls, natural radioactivity and heat create air ions through the distribution of water molecules. Salt lamps can mimic this process. Air ionizers that can be found on the market can also produce the same effect.

Salt lamps are said to create negative ions by attracting water molecules. These evaporate when the lamp is heated. Some studies show slight cognitive performance effects from short-term exposure to high indoor air ion concentrations. However, the idea that salt lamps could provide the same benefit is unclear as the amounts produced may not be meaningful enough.

Other studies suggest that water vapors in the air that contain toxins are attracted to the rock surface due to the salt. In this case, the salt would cleanse the toxins and remove the pollutants. However, there is little evidence to support this claim.

Salt crystal lamp – what good for?

There are several claims made about the health benefits of Himalayan salt lamps. Salt crystals are good for the indoor climate, are supposed to improve sleep and mood and reduce the effect of electromagnetic radiation.

Improved air quality in the room

Salt crystal lamps are designed to improve indoor air quality. They are advertised as helpful for people with allergies, asthma, and upper respiratory problems. Of course, there’s no evidence that salt lamps can actually remove pollutants from the air or improve the air quality in your home or office.

This claim is actually based on an ancient, world-renowned practice called halotherapy. The word is derived from the Greek word for salt “halo”. Halotherapy is a treatment with dry salt. When staying in a salt cave, micro-elements, minerals and trace elements are inhaled, which are supposed to alleviate chronic breathing difficulties and strengthen immunity.

A 2014 report of surveys on the therapeutic effects of a halotherapy room with an artificial salt mine environment concludes that halotherapy offers some benefit in reducing the inflammatory effects of respiratory diseases. However, this effect is short-lived and the treatments must be repeated. The safety of halotherapy has not been investigated in this report. No other studies offer sufficient support to confirm the effectiveness or safety of halotherapy.

Better mood

A second claim made by people who support the use of Himalayan salt lamps is that they can improve mood. Some animal studies show that high exposure to negative ions promotes the production of serotonin – a neurotransmitter that regulates mood.

A 2013 meta-analysis and study review assessed the effects of air ionization on mood, well-being, anxiety, and depression. The researchers also rated the level of exposure. They found that while the negative ions provided some relief in depression, the long-term effects, the amounts needed, and the frequency of treatments were unknown. In fact, every benefit was shown at very high exposure – which salt lamps do not.

Salt lamps improve sleep

Few studies have looked at the effects of salt lamps on sleep. However, they can promote a relaxing sleeping atmosphere as the dim light from the lamp can help you fall asleep. Bright light, on the other hand, including the light from electronic devices, can disrupt the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone. While this is not just specific to the salt lamps, it can be an added benefit.

Reduced effect of electromagnetic radiation

Electromagnetic radiation (EM) is a form of energy propagation that is all around us and includes radio waves, X-rays, and gamma rays. Sunlight is also a form of electromagnetic radiation. Your television, computer and smartphone release EM in the form of unhealthy positive ions. Constant EM exposure has serious long-term effects, including fatigue, increased stress, and a weakened immune system.

Much research has been done on the negative effects of electronic fields. In a report from the journal “Archives of Medicine” from 2015, it is found that exposure to EM with a frequency of 1 kHz and an intensity of 150 V / m and 220 V / m over a period of up to one hour “ can have adverse effects on the oxygen metabolism of the blood platelets, which leads to dysfunction of the cells. In today’s world, chronic exposure to even low levels of radiation from devices can cause cancer, compromise immunity, and contribute to numerous diseases and ailments. Because the Himalayan salt lamps are natural negative generations of ions, they can reduce the effects of positive ions.

Conclusion

While the Himalayan salt lamps are becoming increasingly popular, they are unlikely to offer much health benefits. There is little study evidence to support claims about improvements in air quality, respiratory health, mood, or sleep. But they are nice to look at and create an atmospheric light. Accidents with these lamps are rarely reported. Still, you should always use adequate fire protection, including keeping the lamps out of the reach of children and pets.