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Does WiFi Affect the Brain?
By Dr. Sanchari Sinha Dutta, Ph.D.
Reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Logan, MD, MPH
There are mixed opinions regarding the effect of WiFi exposure on
human health. While some studies show that WiFi has adverse health
effects, there are reports claiming that radiofrequency signals from
wireless networks are too low to cause any damage to the human
systems.
Image Credit: panuwat phimpha/Shutterstock.com
What is WiFi?
WiFi, also called WLAN, is a wireless network that has at least one antenna
connected to the internet and wireless communication devices, such as
laptops, computers, cell phones, etc. The WiFi network uses pulsed
electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs).
The artificial EMF of a WiFi system is generally polarized, which is potentially
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Does WiFi Affect the Brain?
more dangerous than a nonpolarized one as it exerts relatively larger forces
on electrically charged chemical groups.
The intensity of electromagnetic pulses, specific intensities, and length of
exposure are important considerations in determining whether WiFi is safe.
Is WiFi dangerous for the human body?
There are many scientific studies demonstrating the detrimental effects of
WiFi on the human body. It causes oxidative stress by increasing the
production of free radicals.
Increased oxidative stress is responsible for oxidative damages to cellular
macromolecules, such as proteins, lipids, and DNA.
Some studies regarding the effects of 2.45 GHz WiFi signals on both human
and animal health have demonstrated that the radiofrequency
electromagnetic radiation emitted by WiFi devices can affect sperm count,
motility, and DNA integrity.
Other changes in the male reproductive system include degenerative
damages, lower testosterone levels, elevated cell death, and DNA damage,
which are mainly caused by increased temperature and oxidative stress levels
in the testes.
Regarding female reproductive changes, WiFi exposure has been shown to
reduce the production and secretion of estrogen and progesterone, leading to
reduced reproductive efficacy and impaired fertility. WiFi can also cause
chromosomal mutations, which is one of the causes of spontaneous abortion.
Animal studies regarding the WiFi effects on brain activity have revealed that
exposure to both stress and WiFi radiation causes the development of
anxietylike behavior; however, the spatial learning ability and memory
remain unaffected.
The biochemical changes observed in the animal brain include increased
oxidative stress in the cerebral cortex and increased activity of
acetylcholinesterase.
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Does WiFi Affect the Brain?
Image Credit: adike/Shutterstock.com
Excessive WiFi exposure is known to be associated with disrupted learning
and memory, sleep deprivation, and fatigue related to reduced melatonin
secretion and increased norepinephrine secretion at night.
However, the use of any screen time is also associated with these changes.
Brain activity recorded by electroencephalography has shown mixed results
with WiFi, with contradicting studies showing neuropsychiatric changes or no
effect with WiFi use.
Interestingly, a recent study has shown that prolonged exposure to WiFi
radiation can improve the cognitive functions of mice with Alzheimer’s
diseaselike impaired cognition.
In young children, it has been found that the radiofrequency electromagnetic
radiation emitted by mobile and cordless phones does not cause any
emotional or behavioral problems.
However, a higher level of radiation exposure from mobile phone base
stations is known to be associated with a maternalreported behavioral and
emotional problem in young children.
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Does WiFi Affect the Brain?
Despite several early studies regarding the potentially deleterious effects of
WiFi exposure, it is too early to draw conclusions about possible health risks.
The signal intensities used in most of the studies are significantly higher than
the actual environmental exposure levels.
According to the literature, the radiofrequency signals generated from
wireless basestations and other local wireless networks are lower than the
international standards. Therefore, more consistent evidence is needed to
effectively evaluate the effects of WiFi exposure on the human body.
How may WiFi cause damage?
A substantial portion of the WiFi effects is believed to be caused by calcium
overload, which occurs primarily due to the overactivation of voltagegated
calcium channels (VGCCs).
The presence of voltage sensors with 20 positive charges makes them the
most susceptible target of EMFs. The secondary cause of calcium
accumulation is oxidative stressinduced increased activation of the TRPV1
receptor.
Mechanistically, VGCCdependent increases in intracellular calcium level are
the primary mediator of most of the WiFi effects.
The increased calcium level can trigger the production of nitric oxide (NO),
which subsequently can inhibit cytochrome oxidase in the mitochondria,
causing a reduction in ATP synthesis and production of superoxide.
Moreover, NO can inhibit the enzymes involved in steroid hormone synthesis,
leading to reduced production of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
The superoxide generated in the process can also react with NO to produce
peroxynitrite, which can break down to produce highly reactive free radicals.
In addition to causing oxidative damage, these reactive free radicals can
increase the activity of NFkB, leading to increased inflammation.
Another effect of calcium overload is the induction of heat shock protein
levels. The induction, which occurs possibly due to excessive calciuminduced
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Does WiFi Affect the Brain?
protein misfolding, maybe the body’s defense mechanism to maintain
homeostasis.
Sources
Pall ML. 2018. WiFi is an important threat to human health.
Environmental Research. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/ar
ticle/pii/S0013935118300355
Zentai N. 2015. No Effects of Acute Exposure to WiFi Electromagnetic
Fields on Spontaneous EEG Activity and Psychomotor Vigilance in
Healthy Human Volunteers. Radiation Research. https://www.ncbi.nlm
.nih.gov/pubmed/26600173
Jaffar FHF. 2019. Adverse Effects of WiFi Radiation on Male Reproductive
System: A Systematic Review. The Tohoku journal of experimental
medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31353326
Othman H. 2017. Effects of repeated restraint stress and WiFi signal
exposure on behavior and oxidative stress in rats. Metabolic brain
disease. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28451780
Guxens M. 2019. Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, screen time,
and emotional and behavioral problems in 5yearold children.
International journal of hygiene and environmental health. https://ww
w.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30314943
Banaceur S. 2013. Wholebody exposure to 2.4 GHz WIFI signals:
effects on cognitive impairment in adult triple transgenic mouse models
of Alzheimer's disease (3xTgAD). Behavioral brain research. https://ww
w.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23195115
Further Reading
All Brain Content
Human Brain Structure
Language and the Human Brain
Human Brain Pathology
Studying the Human Brain
More...
Last Updated: Apr 30, 2020
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Does WiFi Affect the Brain?
Last Updated: Apr 30, 2020
Written by
Dr. Sanchari Sinha Dutta
Dr. Sanchari Sinha Dutta is a science communicator who believes in spreading the
power of science in every corner of the world. She has a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
degree and a Master's of Science (M.Sc.) in biology and human physiology.
Following her Master's degree, Sanchari went on to study a Ph.D. in human
physiology. She has authored more than 10 original research articles, all of which
have been published in world renowned international journals.
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