Negative Ion Therapy: How do negative ions come about?

Do you feel good and energised in a shower? Yes, a shower is a source of negative ions that many will be familiar with. Negative Ions can be generated by ocean surf and waterfalls, at the beach or mountains, or even by the friction from rubbing two different materials against each other due to the fact that some materials tend to gain electrons from things they come in contact with. In our daily lives we can usually feel the electricity of ions in dry air. Ever felt a slight shock in your arm when it touches your friend's arm? That is static electricity. Static is caused by a high ratio of positive to negative ions because of a lack of moisture in the air. Michael Terman from Columbia University credits negative ions with the feeling of optimism in the air after a thunderstorm. Natural sources of negative ions are

• wind in the mountains
• surfing at the beach
• near waterfalls or moving water bodies
• lightning

Artificial sources include ionic air purifiers, negative ion generators, ionic necklaces and bracelets.