in this or the next millennium. Some researchers think our planet is overdue for another one, but nobody knows exactly when the next reversal might occur. (NASA 2001) The zero field: Nature abounds with evidence of the importance of the Earth’s magnetic field for the health and survival of organisms. Whales, pigeons, geese, and even honeybees navigate by the magnetic field. Vegetation is highly responsive to magnetic fields. Apparently all mammals make use of the Earth’s natural magnetic fields for survival and health, based on results of studies of the zero field. A zero field is a space defined as the absence of any magnetic fields. It is a place where the intensity and strength of a magnetic field equals zero. Such a space is created by screening natural and artificial fields from flowing by the use of mu-steel (µsteel). In one study of the zero field, mice spent 4 months without any electromagnetic influences. It was found that the mice aged much faster compared to age-matched controls who lived under exactly the same conditions with normal access to the Earth’s magnetic field. In this study the mice blocked from the normal magnetic field had an increased tendency to form tumors. Furthermore, pathological changes were noted in the livers, leukocytes, kidneys and urinary bladders of these animals. Their fur became coarse and rough; their sex drive was significantly decreased. The mortality of these magnetic field-deprived animals was significantly increased over the control group. (Warnke 1994a) The zero field and flicker fusion frequency in humans In human subjects, who for reasons of safety were only allowed to remain in the zero field for a few weeks, important deficits in neurophysiology were noted. The flicker fusion frequency is the point at which the eye sees an increasingly rapid flashing light as a continuous beam. Put another way, flicker fusion frequency, also known as flicker merging frequency or flicker fusion rate) is the number of frames per second required to reproduce motion in movie film or video. Early movies were typically shot at 16 frames per second (16 Hz), and the flicker was very noticeable. Today’s movies are typically shot at 24 frames per second (24 Hz) and high definition television (HDTV) is shot at 60 full frames per second (60 Hz).
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Humans have a maximum flicker fusion frequency of 60 Hz (or 60 “pictures per second” seen by the eye,) (Winkler 2005) and a minimum flicker fusion frequency just above 14 Hz (or 14 frames per second). In other words, at frequencies of 14 Hz, most people can detect flicker. It gets more difficult to detect flicker at higher frequencies. For example, TV is broadcast at 60 half frames per second in the United States. The effect of the zero field on the visual system in humans is this: when exposed to a zero field, the flicker fusion frequency sank to a mere 8 frames per second (8 Hz) within a very short period of time. (Warnke 1994b) The zero field and the perception of pain Zero field studies show that a deficiency of magnetic field exposure lowers the threshold of pain perception. Animals and humans have an endogenous opiate system that utilizes special chemical neuropeptides called endorphins. Endorphins are opiate-like substances with strong pain-relieving properties. Endorphins also elevate mood and trigger pleasure centers of the brain. Most of us are familiar with the “runner’s high” associated with endorphin release. Endorphins are so-named because they bind to the same receptors on the surface of the cell membrane that bind to morphine.5 Hence the name “endogenous morphine,” or end-orphin. When the body is in pain or suffering from emotional or psychological stress, large amounts of endorphins are released. Endorphin release is responsible for the fact that people who sustain major trauma do not feel immediate pain. In controlled experiments the deficiency of exposure to normal magnetic fields produced intolerance to pain in mice. Mice that were allowed to have normal exposure to the Earth’s magnetic field exhibited no intolerance to pain. (Choleris 2002) In human studies, the negative effects of depriving the body of normal magnetic fields were reversed by providing magnetic field strengths of a mere 0.5 µT. (Stewart, 2000) The fact that this analgesic response was reversed by Naloxone, which blocks endorphins, proves that magnetic fields stimulate endorphin release in the body. (Prato 1995, Thomas 1997, Robertson 2006) Outer space is an environment very magnetically dissimilar to Earth. Beyond the Earth’s atmosphere (the “ionosphere”) there is a significant reduction in electromagnetic forces. As the result of our growing knowledge of the beneficial health effects of the Earth’s magnetic field NASA, the Russian space program and others equip their space capsules and space suits with magnetic field generators to simulate those on Earth (50 µT). Prior to the discovery of the vital importance of magnetic fields to health in space travel, and prior to properly equipping
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space craft astronauts and cosmonauts were returning to Earth very ill, with all their strength and energy depleted. Magnetic field deficiency syndromes After evaluating more than 11,000 human subjects Japanese researcher K. Nakagawa concluded that a large part of Western civilization is suffering from a lack of magnetic field — an epidemic of magnetic field deficiency — caused by the natural weakening of the Earth’s magnetic field. (Nakagawa 1976) It manifests itself as chronic tiredness, insomnia, back pain and headaches as well as a lack of energy. Is it possible that fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and other disease processes involving pain and fatigue are, in reality, magnetic field deficiency syndromes? We will delve in to these questions later in this volume. According to one thinker, mankind is, genetically, still in the Stone Age. (Worm 2001) Our human genome has not adapted to the reduction in the Earth’s magnetic field by 150 µT in just the past 2-3 millennia. Nakagawa has identified the fact that the human body requires sufficient levels of magnetic energy for optimal health. Our lifestyles, living quarters, modes of transportation and work environments are not conducive to receiving adequate exposure to the Earth’s field. Many of us, if not all of us, will benefit from daily supplemental exposure to health-producing magnetic fields tuned to the biological windows of health. Since magnetic resonance stimulation can be supplied with a high degree of precision, strength and timing for maximum cellular health, it represents the best first line of defense against magnetic field deficiency, and the most strategic offense in our pursuit of wellness, vitality, pain-free living, and long, active, productive lives.
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