MS writes: “Please advise on Geopathic Stress and devices to place in house to combat Geopathic Stress. Advised by alternative therapist years ago that house was on geopathic stress lines. New age?”

Geopathic stress is a New Age pseudoscientific concept that is actually a combination of dowsing (divination/occult) and Feng Shui (superstition).

For those who have never heard of it, adherents of this theory claim that Geopathic stress is “a distorted or disrupted electromagnetic field of the Earth.” The earth resonates with an electromagnetic frequency of approximately 7.83 Hz . . . which falls within the range of (alpha) human brain waves,” this site explains.

“Underground streams, sewers, water pipes, electricity, tunnels and underground railways, mineral formations and geological faults distort the natural resonance of the Earth thus creating geopathic stress (GS). Sleeping or spending a lot of time in geopathic stress zones can cause ill effects on our health, performance and wellbeing.”

Purveyors of Geopathic stress also claim that this phenomenon was known to our ancestors. For instance, the Chinese practice of Feng Shui identifies Geopathic stress zones as “dragon lines” or “underground demons.”

Believers in these zones say they can impact the environment in a variety of ways, such as causing cracks in walls, potholes in streets, and even making hay and other materials more prone to catch fire.

What happens to people who live near one of these zones?

“Some early symptoms often experienced above these geopathic zones are related to restlessness, headaches, insomnia and fatigue,” this site explains. “If you continue to stay in these areas especially during sleep, then in the long term the stresses on our bodies will emerge as more serious conditions such as, diseases of the central nervous system, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), miscarriages, and cancer.”

How do you tell if your home is built over one of these zones? If you home has mold; if lichen or moss is growing on the roof or walls; if there are cracks in walls, sidewalks, driveways, etc.; if you have trees with “cancerous knobbly growths” on the trunks or trees that have split in two, are twisted, leaning or bend to one side; if there are unusual gaps in hedges. Certain creatures are attracted to geopathic stress such as ants, wasps, bees and cats while dogs, cows and horses avoid it.

If you suspect that you might be living atop one of these zones, you are advised to contact your friendly neighborhood dowser or Feng Shui expert to confirm your fears.

If it is found that you are indeed living overtop one of these zones, don’t despair. There’s a quick and easy way to help yourself (although not necessarily cheap). Simply buy a Helios 3 Geopathic Stress and Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) Harmoniser for only $222 (plus shipping)! ttp://www.helios3.com/order-helios3-now.html which will quicly restore harmony to your life and home.

Now for some sanity.

According to this article by Pete Etchells, a lecturer in biological psychology at Bath Spa University in the UK, there is no absolutely no scientific evidence that any of this is true.

“Some explanations appeal to the suggestion that because the vibrations occur at specific frequencies (around 7 Hz), then they may interfere with patterns of brain activity called alpha waves, which occur at about the same frequency. . . . However, that assumes that (a) geopathic stress exists, (b) it affects the brain, and in turn (c) can cause anything from road rage to cancer. Is there any evidence to back that up though? In short, no: there doesn’t appear to be any credible, peer-reviewed evidence.”

However, he did find a comparable study which dealt with extremely low frequently (ELF) magnetic fields that might be impacting people’s health. It was conducted in 2005 by the World Health Organization which looked at the effects (if any) of exposure to ELF magnetic fields on the development and incidence rates of diseases such as cancer. What did it find?

“ . . . [T]here are no known biological mechanisms through which low-level exposure to ELF electromagnetic fields could cause cancer,” Etchells writes.

“In other words, there’s no evidence to suggest that exposure to ELF electromagnetic fields has any impact on the development of cancer tumors, or incidence rates of things like childhood leukemia. Similar negative findings were found for associations with depression and suicide, neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, and cardiovascular disease.”

Etchells goes on to disparage the variety of devices, such as the Helios 3, that are being sold without providing consumers with any convincing explanation of what the mechanism of action is or any scientific evidence to prove their efficacy.

“While they don’t specifically claim that these devices can cure cancer, the implication seems like an easy one to make, especially if you’re having concerns about your own health. Geopathic stress is linked to cancer; these devices can neutralise geopathic stress; you can make the final logical jump for yourself.”

Should we be worried about geopathic stress?

“No,” Etchells says, “and it’s irresponsible of people to claim a link between an unconfirmed phenomenon, and any sort of health issue.”

I couldn’t have said it better myself.