My At-Home PEMF Mat Is Like a Human Charging Dock
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If you watched the newAlien: Earthsci-fi series on FX this year, you might remember how the hybrid characters use strange charging beds to power up at night. When I stumbled upon HigherDose’s new PEMF mat — an electric wellness mat meant to make you feel grounded, de-stressed, and recharged — it almost felt like I had uncovered that same kind of advanced alien wellness tech. It’s notthatmuch of a stretch: HigherDose’s few-inches-thick mat is a pretty innovative device that combines PEMF therapy, far-infrared heat, and crystal therapy. The main draw, though, is its PEMF — which stands for pulsed electromagnetic field therapy — technology.
So what’s PEMF anyway?
In simple terms, PEMF is a noninvasive treatment that uses gentle electromagnetic pulses to stimulate your body at a cellular level. According toDr. Sarah Cash Crawford, founder ofAnchor WellnessandWAVE Physical Therapy & Pilates, the goal of PEMF therapy is to help your cells function more efficiently, especially those involved in healing, repair, and inflammation control. “Think of it as giving your cells a nudge, not forcing them to do something unnatural, but helping them communicate and regenerate more effectively,” Crawford told me. “When magnetic fields pulse through your tissues, they create tiny electrical currents inside your cells. These microcurrents can help improve circulation and oxygenation, support bone and soft-tissue healing, and reduce inflammation and pain signaling.”
HigherDose’s mat boasts similar benefits: According to the brand’s site, it’s meant to promote lymphatic drainage, reduce muscle tension, and support a calm nervous system, along with aiding post-travel recovery, stress relief, and deeper sleep. It’s actually not entirely as New Age–y as it sounds — PEMF devices with specific medical uses have beenendorsed by FDAsince the 1970s — but I will say when I first heard about the PEMF mat, it seemed like something you’d only find in the home of a wellness-oriented celebrity (especially with its $700 price tag). And, well, it is: It was onSuki Waterhouse’s list of favorite things, where she mentioned that Gwyneth Paltrow also has one. (Cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Jessie Cheungis a fan, too, and mentioned the mats when we asked her about how she gets to sleep.)
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Testing out the mat
When I first opened my mat, I was skeptical about how lying down on 20 pounds’ worth of purple crystals embedded inside what essentially looks like a heated leather-and-mesh yoga mat could have all of those healing benefits. To turn the mat on, I plugged in the controller, which connects to the mat,and then selected a temperature — the options range from 86 to 158 Fahrenheit — using a simple dial on the controller. Then I turned on the negative-ion setting —which supposedly increases serotonin production in the brain — by flipping a switch. The mat has four PEMF frequency levels to choose from, which supposedly all mimic healing frequencies found in nature: level one for delta brain wave (3 Hz for sleep and relaxation), level two for theta brain wave (7.8 Hz for the Earth’s natural frequency to ground oneself and recharge), level three for alpha brain wave (10 Hz for increasing tissue regeneration), and level four for beta brain wave (23 Hz for improved concentration and mental function).
Resting on your back is the standard way to use the mat, and so that was how I started using it. I could barely feel the small crystals that are embedded in the mat as they’re packed very tightly under themeshlike surface. In terms of the PEMF frequencies, during the first few sessions, I can’t say that I felt much of an immediate difference physically, but I’m also not dealing with chronic pain or an ongoing injury, which PEMF can be used to help treat. However, over time, lying on the mat for just one PEMF cycle per day, about 20 minutes, has provided a new sense of calm and generally made me feel less anxious. I’ve tried the level-one frequency before bedtime and found that it helped me fall asleep faster; then I tried the level-four frequency when I struggled to stay focused during the day, and it seemed to work better than a 3 p.m. coffee.
Crawford says there isn’t a magic frequency number: “You’ll often hear companies promoting specific frequencies or waveforms as if one ‘unlocks’ pain relief while another ‘heals tissue,’” she says. But the truth is actually more nuanced. “Most of the research showing benefits for pain and joint health uses low-frequency ranges, roughly between one and 100 Hz. But the frequency alone isn’t what makes PEMF work. The waveform, strength, duration, and even where it’s applied all play important roles.” From my testing, I’ve noticed that when I use the higher frequencies, I’m more alert for the rest of the day and experience less of an afternoon concentration crash. With the lower frequencies, my mind is quieter and I’ve noticed I have fewer racing thoughts. I’ve always been a solid sleeper, but when I use the mat before bed, I feel particularly rested each morning (myUltrahuman ringregularly says I’ve had six complete sleep cycles in the morning).
As I’ve continued to use the HigherDose PEMF mat over the past two months, I’ve been surprised: It really does feel like a human charging station in our house. What I appreciate is that unlike other recovery or pain-management methods, like a cold tub or sauna, you can use your HigherDose PEMF mat as many times as you want during the day, including before exercising, while meditating, or as part of your bedtime routine. The brand even recommends keeping your mat plugged in and turned on throughout the day and lying down on it whenever you need a moment to recharge (hence the human charging-station feeling I mentioned). My boyfriend and I have been leaving the mat out in our house, and I’ll even lie on it while reading or catching up on emails. I’ve appreciated being able to multitask while doing something that feels restorative for my mind and body.
While I’ve primarily used the mat for relaxation,Crawford told me that the most well-researched and FDA-approved use for PEMF is in bone healing, particularly in stubborn fractures that aren’t mending well. “There’s also growing evidence for osteoarthritis, chronic joint pain, and soft-tissue recovery,” she says. “Many people report pain relief and improved mobility when PEMF is used alongside other treatments like physical therapy, strength training, or movement-based rehab.” I don’t currently have any injuries like the kind Crawford mentioned, but I have noticed that after using the mat, my body feels primed for my runs and workouts. And with consistent use, I’ve found that I’m less sore and achy, even when I’ve incorporated new exercises into my routine where tightnessshouldbe a side effect.
My takeaway
Before you buy this mat, there are a couple of practical things to note: First, it’s big. At 73 by 29 inches and 43 pounds, it’s larger and much heftier than a standard rubberyoga mat, and it folds up into a haphazard square. It’s not something I would recommend if you’re tight on floor space or storage. (And if you have pets, beware that they will try to nap on your warm mat, which is not recommended.) Second: It’s very expensive. The version I tried is more than $1,200, and even the smaller, moreportable versionis $700. I know what you’re thinking: Do you really need to spend more $1,000 to learn how to take an adult time-out during the day? It depends. As Crawford noted, PEMF can help your body’s natural recovery processes work better, which I’m sure makes PEMF very worth it for some. My take is thatat the end of a hectic day, there’s no denying that it just feels nice to refocus on my body on the mat. I do think it’s helping me swap some of my old habits for healthier ones — like getting ready for bed at the same time so I can decompress on my mat instead of bingingThe Beast in Meon Netflix until 1 a.m. and taking dedicated breaks throughout my workday. It does make me wonder this: Is it really a certain PEMF frequency that’s making me feel better, or the fact that my mat is setting me up for better habits? I guess only time will tell, but for now, it’s how I’ll continue to stay grounded into the New Year.
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