Sensory Processing Sensitivity, and Not Gender, Drives Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity and Nature Connection

Abstract

Overview

Electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) is a biomedical condition linked to exposure to artificial radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Common EMF sources include:

• Mobile phones 📱
• Wireless networks 🌐
• Base stations 🏢
• Computers 🖥️
• TVs 📺
• Other electrical appliances

Understanding who is at risk for developing EHS is crucial. Individuals with heightened sensory processing sensitivity (SPS)—the ability to perceive, process, and react to environmental stimuli—make up about 25%-30% of the population and are especially relevant in this context.

Findings

• SPS could be connected with both a sense of nature connectedness (CNS) and EHS.
• This gender-matched, cross-sectional study (n = 450, equal split between men and women) evaluated differences in SPS, EHS, and CNS.
• Women showed a higher overall EHS prevalence than men (13.3% vs 5.3%), and reported higher perceived sensitivity to 5 out of 9 types of electromagnetic equipment (notably, computers, electric appliances, fluorescent lighting, mobile phones, and TVs).
• Women also scored higher on three EHS assessment tools: EHS General, EHS Scale, and EHS Index, as well as in SPS and CNS measures.
• However, these gender differences disappeared when adjusting for SPS within multivariate statistical analyses, suggesting that SPS accounts for differences in EHS and CNS.
• Statistical equation modeling (SEM) showed that SPS has a significant direct positive effect on CNS and a significant indirect effect mediated via EHS.

Conclusion

This research provides the first empirical evidence that people with high sensory processing sensitivity can perceive electromagnetic radiation. The data strongly indicate that perceived EHS and connection with nature are both driven by SPS, and not by gender. The link between EMF exposure and health effects in sensitive populations should not be underestimated.