Magnetic storms: how do they affect people and should we be afraid of them?
Magnetic storms have long been a popular topic of conversation. Many people are sure that they have a negative impact on their health, and almost every news channel prints calendars of these storms. But what does science actually say about this?
The Earth's magnetic field is one of the key protective systems of our planet. It is formed by metals inside the Earth. Sometimes the Sun emits powerful streams of energy that reach our planet. This results in a magnetic storm - fluctuations in the Earth's magnetic field that can affect technical systems, but what about human health?
Magnetic storms can damage electrical appliances, disrupt communications, and even change animal migration routes. The most powerful such event occurred in 1859, known as the Carrington Event. Then, a solar flare caused a storm so strong that people in Cuba and Jamaica saw the northern lights. But if magnetic storms can affect technology, are they dangerous for people too?
Heliobiology is a science that studies the influence of solar and geomagnetic phenomena on biological processes on Earth, and studies the influence of magnetic storms on the body. But most studies still cannot provide clear evidence that magnetic storms have a significant impact on human health. Research in this area continues, but today the vast majority of scientists agree that the impact of magnetic storms on humans is minimal.
Modern science says that there is no direct evidence of the negative impact of magnetic storms on human health. The World Health Organization does not recognize meteorological dependence as a disease, and many scientific studies confirm that magnetic storms do not pose a threat to most people.
Research shows that the magnetic field intensity during a storm is about 0.5 Tesla, which is insignificant compared to the exposure we experience every day in large cities. For example, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners used in medicine create a field of up to 1.5 Tesla, and despite this, patients do not experience serious side effects.
There is evidence that magnetic storms may have a minor effect on people with cardiovascular diseases. Some studies link increased geomagnetic activity with an increase in heart attacks and strokes, but the results are contradictory. For example, in Russia, a deterioration in the condition of hypertensive patients during such periods has been noted, but other studies have not confirmed this.
It is also worth noting the influence of the psychological factor. Many people, knowing about the approach of a magnetic storm, begin to experience anxiety and stress, which in turn can worsen their well-being. In such cases, the negative impact is more likely associated with self-hypnosis than with the real impact of magnetic storms.
If you are still afraid of magnetic storms and believe that they can affect your well-being, the best advice is to lead a calm lifestyle. Do not enter into conflicts, do not overload your body with overeating or alcohol, and try to stay in harmony with the environment.
In fact, the Earth's magnetic field protects us from most external influences, and if technology can break down, then a person living on Earth has nothing to fear. The main thing is not to believe in all the horror stories and not to forget about common sense.
What do you think about the impact of magnetic storms on health? Do you agree with the conclusions of science or do you have personal experience? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments!