There’s Something in the Air: Empirical Evidence for the Effects of Negative Air Ions (NAI) on Psychophysiological State and Performance

Olimpia Pino^1, and Francesco La Ragione²

¹Department of Neurosciences, University of Parma, Italy

²Microengineering, Caserta, Italy

Cite this paper:
Olimpia Pino and Francesco La Ragione. There’s Something in the Air: Empirical Evidence for the Effects of Negative Air Ions (NAI) on Psychophysiological State and Performance. Research in Psychology and Behavioral Sciences. 2013; 1(4):48-53. doi: 10.12691/rpbs-1-4-1

Abstract

Numerous reports document advances made in our understanding of the effects of negative air ions on physiological functions and human health. Collectively, these reports demonstrate an increasing awareness of their mechanisms, and reflect contrasting findings about their influence. The purpose of the present paper was to review the evidence base for the beneficial effects of negative air ions (NAI) in improving neuropsychological performance and treating mood disorders. Underlying mechanisms, treatments parameters and the extent to which negative air ionization can represent a valuable treatment for affective disturbances are reported together with experimental data gathered from our laboratory. The analysis, particularly with randomized, controlled trials suggests that NAI treatment for mood disorders is in general effective with effects almost equivalent to those in other antidepressant non pharmacotherapy trials. Despite the growth in clinical research, there remained a substantial gap in mental health services to translate state-of-the-art treatments and incorporate them into mainstream practice.

Keywords:
negative air ion depressive symptoms performance environment

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

References:

[1]	Schneider, A., Schuh, A., Maetzel, F., Rückerl, R., Breitner, S.,& Peters, A., Weather-induced ischemia and arrhythmia in patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation: Another difference between men and women. International Journal of Biometeorology, 52, 535-547, 2008.
[2]	McGregor, G.R. Winter ischaemic heart disease deaths in Birmingham, United Kingdom: A synoptic climatological analysis. Climatic Research, 13, 17–31, 1999.
[3]	Morabito, M., Crisci, A., Orlandini, S., Maracchi, G., Gensini, G.F., & Modesti, P.A., A synoptic approach to weather conditions discloses a relationship with ambulatory blood pressure in hypertensives. American Journal of Hypertension, 21, 748–52, 2008.
[4]	Plavcová, E. & Kyselý, J., Relationships between sudden weather changes in summer and mortality in the Czech Republic, 1986-2005. International Journal of Biometeorology, 54, 539-551, 2010.
[5]	Charry, J. & Kavet, R., Air ions: Physical and biological aspects. CRC Press, 1987.
[6]	Kotaka, S., Effects of air ions on microorganisms and other biological material. CRC Critical Review of Microbiology, 6, 109-149, 1978.
[7]	Reyns, K.M.F.A., Diels, A.M.J., & Michiels, C.W., Generation of bactericidal and mutagenic components by pulsed electric field treatment. Internation Journal of Food Microbiology, 93, 165-173, 2004.
[8]	Soyka, F., The ion effect. Bantum Premium, U.S, 1991.
[9]	Goldstein, N., Reactive oxygen species as essential components of ambient air. Biochemistry, 67, 161-170, 2002.
[10]	Yates A., Gray, F.B., Misiaszek, J.I., & Wolman, W., Air ions: Past problems and future directions. Environment International, 12, 99-108, 1986.
[11]	Nagato, K., Matsui, Y., Miyata, T., & Yamauchi, T., An analysis of the evolution of negative ions produced by a corona ionizer in air. International Journal of Mass Spectrometry, 248, 142-147, 2006.
[12]	Kondrashova, M.N., et al., The primary physico-chemical mechanism for the beneficial biological/medical effects of negative air ions. IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, 28, 230-237, 2000.
[13]	Dowdall, M. & De Montigny, C., Effect of atmospheric ions on hippocampal pyramidal neuron responsiveness to serotonin. Brain Research, 342, 103-109, 1985.
[14]	Voeikov, V.L., Ultra-low luminescence of humid air and its possible role in negative air ion therapy. Indian Journal of Experimental Biology, 46, 322-329, 2008.
[15]	Kreuger A.P., & Reed, EJ., Biological impact of small air ions. Science, 193, 1209-13, 1976.
[16]	Sulman, F.G., Danon, A., Pfeifer, Y., Tal., E. & Weller, C.P., Urinalysis of patients suffering from climatic heat stress (Sharav). International Journal of Biometereorology, 14, 45-53, 1970.
[17]	Sulman, F.G., Levy, D., Lunkan, L., Pfeifer, Y., & Tal, E., Absence of harmful effects of protracted negative air ionisation. International Journal of Biometerology, 22, 53-58, 1978.
[18]	Escombe, A.R., et al., Upper room ultraviolet light and negative air ionization to prevent tuberculosis transmission. Plos Medicine, 6, 1-12, 2009.
[19]	Yamada, et al., Water-generated negative air ions activate NK cell and inhibit carcinogenesis in mice. Cancer Letters, 1-8, 2005.
[20]	Shinjo, K., et al., Efficacy of the Shinki bioclean room for preventing infection in neutropenic patients. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 37, 227-233, 2002.
[21]	Lv, J., Wang, W., Krafft, T., Li, Y., Zhang, F. & Yuan F., Effects of several environmental factors on longevity and health of the human population of Zhongxiang, Hubei, China. Biological Trace Elements Research, LLC, 2010.
[22]	Yates, A., Gray, F.B., Misiaszek, J.I., & Wolman, W. Air ions: Past problems and future direction. Environment International, 12, 99-108, 1986.
[23]	Fisher, P.M., Meltzer, C.C., Ziolko, S.K., Price, J.C. & Hariri, A.R. Capacity for 5-HT1A-mediated autoregulation predicts amigdala reactivity. Nature Neuroscience. 2006.
[24]	Lambert, J.F., Olivereau, J.M., & Truong-Ngoc, A., Influence of artificial air ionization on the electroencephalogram of the awake rat. International Journal of Biometereology, 22, 53-58, 1981.
[25]	Suzuki, S., Yanagita, S., Amemiya, S. Kato, Y, Kubota, N., Ryushi, T., & Kita, I. Effects of negative air ions on activity of neural substrates involved in autonomic regulation in rats. International Journal of Biometeorology, 52, 481-489, 2008.
[26]	Valone, T.F., Fresh air curative effect related to ions and traces of ozone. Explore, 7, 70, 1996.
[27]	Sulman, F.G., The effect of air ionization, electric fields, atmospherics and other electric phenomena on man and animal, Charles C. Thomas, Springfield, Illinois, 1980.
[28]	Pino, O. La Ragione, F., & Carbone, E., L'azione degli ioni negativi di ossigeno (NAI), Una rassegna sull'evidenza dei loro effetti. III Congresso Internazionale delle Medicine Non Convenzioniali e delle Scienze Olistiche, Assisi, 9-11 Novembre, pp. 300-333, 2012.
[29]	Sackett, D.L., Rosenberg, W.M., Gray, J.A., Haynes, R.B., & Richardson, W.S., Evidence based medicine: What it is and what it isn’t. British Medical Journal, 312, 71-72, 1996.
[30]	Morton, L.L. & Kershner, J.R., Negative air ionization improves memory and attention in learning-disabled and mentally retarded children. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 12, 353-365, 1984.
[31]	Morton, L.L. & Kershner, J.R., Differential negative air ion effects on learning disabled and normal-achieving children. International Journal of Biometeorology, 34, 35-41, 1990.
[32]	Morton, L.L. & Kershner, J.R., Negative ion effects on hemispheric processing and selective attention in the mentally retarded. Journal of Mental Deficiency Research, 31, 169-180, 1987.
[33]	Inbar, O., Rotstein, R., Dlin, R., Dotan, R. & Sulman, F.G., The effects of negative air ions on various physiological functions during work in a hot environment. International Journal of Biometerology, 26, 153-163, 1982.
[34]	Tom, G., Freeman Poole, M., Galla, J. & Berrier, J., The influence of negative air ions on human performance and mood. Human Factors, 23, 633-636, 1981.
[35]	Nakane, H., Asami, O., Yamada, Y., & Ohira, H., Effect of negative air ions on computer operation, anxiety and salivary chromogranin A-like immunoreactivity. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 46, 85-89, 2002.
[36]	Goel, N. & Etwaroo, G., Bright light, negative air ions and auditory stimuli produce a rapid mood changes in a student population: a placebo-controlled study. Psychological Medicine, 36, 1253-1263, 2006.
[37]	Terman, M. & Terman, J.S., Treatment of seasonal affective disorder with a high-output negative ionizer. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 1, 87-92, 1995.
[38]	Terman, M., Terman, J.S., & Ross, D.C., A controlled trial of timed bright light and negative air ionization for treatment of winter depression. Archives of General Psychiatry, 55, 861-862, 1998.
[39]	Terman, M., & Terman, J.S., Controlled trial of naturalistic dawn simulation and negative air ionization for seasonal affective disorder. American Journal of Psychiatri, 163, 2126-33, 2006.
[40]	Goel, N., Terman, M., Su Terman, J., Macchi, M.M., & Stewart, J.W., Controlled trial of bright light and negative air ions for chronic depression. Psychological Medicine, 35, 1-11, 2005.
[41]	Terman, M., Treatment method for depressive and neurovegetative disorders. United States Patent No. 5,533,527, Luglio, 9, 1996.
[42]	Giannini, A.J., Giannini, J.D., Melemis, S. & Giannini, J.N., Treatment of acute mania with ambient air anionization: Variants of climatic heat stress and serotonin syndrome. Psychological Reports, 100, 157-163, 2007.
[43]	Dauphinais D.R., Rosenthal J.Z., Terman M., DiFebo, H.M., Tuggle C., & Rosenthal N.E., Controlled trial of safety and efficacy of bright light therapy vs. negative air ions in patients with bipolar depression. Psychiatry Research, 30, 57-61, 2012.
[44]	Flory, R., Ametepe, J., & Bowers, B., A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of bright light and high-density negative air ions for treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Psychiatry Research, 177, 101-108, 2010.
[45]	Baron, R.A., Russel G.W., & Arm, R.L., Negative ions and behavior: Impact on mood, memory and aggression among Type A and Type B persons. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 48, 746-754, 1985.
[46]	Baron, R.A., Effects of negative ions on interpersonal attraction: Evidence for intensification. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 52, 547-553, 1987.
[47]	Buckalew, L.W., & Rizzuto, A.P., Subjective response to negative air ion exposure. Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine, 53, 822-823, 1982.
[48]	Buckalew, L.W., & Rizzuto, A.P., Negative air ion effects on human performance and physiological condition. Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine, 55, 731-734, 1984.
[49]	Ogungbe, A.S., Akintoye, O.H., & Idowu, B.A., Effects of gaseous ions on the environment and human performance. Trends in Applied Sciences Research, 6, 130-133, 2011.
[50]	Terry, R.A., Harden, D.G., & Mayyasi, A.M., Effects of negative air ions, noise, sex and age on maze learning in rats. International Journal of Biometeorology, 13, 39-49, 1969.
[51]	Prioré, A., Improvement in the treatment of leaving organisms by negative ions. Royaume de Belgique: Brevet d'Invention P.V. No. 871.848, Maggio, 6, 1979. French Patent # 2,408,357, 8 giugno, 1979 “Treatment of a Patient with Negative Ions".
[52]	Zhang, J. & Zu, Z., Experimental and simulative analysis of relationship between ultraviolet irradiations and concentration of negative air ions in small chambers. Aerosol Science, 37, 1347-1355, 2006.
[53]	Glickman, G., Byrne, B., Pineda, C., Hauck, & W.W. Brainard, G.C., Light therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder with blue narrow-band light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Biological Psychiatry, 59, 502-507, 2006.
[54]	American Psychiatric Association, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, IV ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association, 1994.
[55]	Hamilton, M. (1960). A rating scale for depression. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, 23, 56-62.