Abstract: Earthing, or grounding, refers to direct conductive contact between the human body and the Earth. Although research has primarily examined its electrical and physiological effects, the potential health value of earthing may extend to biological processes involved in immune development and regulation. This integrative review examined the potential contribution of earthing and direct human–Earth interaction to human health, with particular attention to immunocompetence. A structured multidisciplinary search and PRISMA-informed selection process identified 25 sources for integrative synthesis. Earthing studies provide preliminary evidence of effects involving inflammation-related processes, sleep, stress, pain, autonomic and cardiovascular function, and physical recovery, although methodological limitations and limited independent replication constrain clinical conclusions. Complementary evidence from environmental microbiome and immunological research indicates that exposure to diverse environmental microorganisms can influence microbiome development, immune maturation, immune regulation, and immunological tolerance, particularly during childhood. Collectively, the evidence suggests that direct human–Earth interaction may have health relevance through interconnected electrical, physiological, microbial, immunological, and environmental pathways. The review therefore proposes immunocompetence as an important but underexplored dimension of the potential health value of earthing. Further controlled and longitudinal research is needed to determine whether and under what conditions natural-ground interaction contributes to measurable immune development, regulation, and health outcomes.
Keywords: earthing; grounding; immunocompetence; immune regulation; environmental microbiome; human–Earth interaction; natural-ground exposure.
Title: Earthing and Human Health: Integrating Electrical, Microbial, Immunological, and Environmental Pathways
Author: David Bull
International Journal of Healthcare Sciences
ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)
Vol. 14, Issue 1, April 2026 - September 2026
Page No: 599-622
Research Publish Journals
Website: www.researchpublish.com
Published Date: 18-September-2026
