Grounding, in French known as mise à la terre, consists of restoring electrical contact between the body and the ground. It is an ancient practice, revived by the world of sport and recovery, and in recent years has become a distinct subject of research in its own right.

This article explains what grounding is, the different ways of practising it, and what we ourselves have measured, including what these measurements cannot yet be used to claim.

What is earthing

The Earth's surface constantly carries a negative electrical charge. A human body in direct contact with the ground (bare skin on grass, sand, damp rock) is brought to the same electrical potential as it. This is precisely the principle of the earth wire in a domestic electrical installation, applied to a living organism.

For most of human history, this contact was permanent: people walked barefoot or in leather soles, they slept directly on the ground. Synthetic soles, insulating flooring and raised beds have interrupted it. Grounding simply consists of restoring it, voluntarily.

The three ways to ground oneself

Direct contact

Walking barefoot on grass, damp sand or earth. It's the original, free and most enjoyable method. Its limitation is obvious: it depends on the weather, the season, and where you live. In practice, few people keep it up for more than a few minutes a day.

The earthing sheet

A grounding sheet, usually woven with silver or carbon threads, is placed on the mattress and plugged into the earth pin of a wall socket. It is the most widespread and cheapest solution.

It has two drawbacks that we know well from having encountered them. The first is comfort: a conductive sheet creases, slips, and the contact with the skin becomes irregular over the course of the night. The second is verification: nothing visually indicates that the connection is working, and a faulty earth connection, which is more common than one might think in older buildings, cannot be seen.

The earthing mattress topper

This is the path we have chosen at IAKOTA. The conductor is integrated within the thickness of the mattress topper rather than placed on top of it: the contact remains stable all night long, regardless of position, and the textile behaves like normal bedding.

Our mattress topper combine this grounding with the reflection of far-infrared rays naturally emitted by the body: that is Minoxis technology. Two passive physical mechanisms, without electronics, without a power source, without any active substance.

What our measurements show

In 2024, a pilot study was conducted in Font-Romeu National Centre for Altitude Training on 27 athletes trail runner, with recovery tracking following exertion sessions.

What these figures do not say. This is a pilot study, involving a small sample, within a specific sporting context. It indicates a direction, not definitive proof, and we do not present it as anything else. A doctoral thesis is currently underway at the CNEA until 2028 to take up this work on a larger population. We will publish its results whatever they may be.

Why the night

Seven to eight hours motionless, skin against textile, without shoes or insulating flooring between the body and the device: the night is the only period of the day when stable, prolonged contact is truly possible without changing one's habits.

It's also the time when the body does its recovery work. The deep sleep phases are when the organism devotes the most resources to repairing itself. Connecting to the earth at that moment requires no extra effort: this is what makes the practice sustainable over time, whereas «fifteen minutes barefoot in the garden» rarely lasts three weeks.

Frequently asked questions

Grounding restores contact that modern life has interrupted. It is practised barefoot, with a conductive sheet, or with an earthing mattress overlay. Our measurements point towards better recovery, and broader research is underway to confirm them.