Benefits of Negative Air Ions on psychological health

Many studies have proven that NAIs have several positive influences on our psychological health. Exposure to NAIs reduces irritability, depression and tenseness, with increased calmness and stimulation. On the contrary, PAIs excess increase these effects. (Buckalew & al (1982, 1984); Robert, 1991; Baron & al, 1985 ;Hedge & al, 1987; Terman & al, 1995a&b - 1997; Livanova & al, 1999a&b).

The benefits of NAIs on the some psychological problems/diseases are reported below:

• Concentration, memorisation and reflexes 
• Depression
• Irritability
• Neurosis
• Stress
• Transport nausea

Concentration, memorisation and reflexes

Dr Sulman (1969), head of the department of Applied Pharmacology at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, performed a concentration study on a group of people in a room with either low or high NAI concentration. The scores were higher in the NAI enriched room. Electro-encephalograms showed that, in presence of NAIs, the alpha waves from the brain are stronger, indicating calmness and alertness.

Van Kaesteren (1984) has performed a study in a school and proved that, in presence of ionizers, children develop better concentration capacities.

First & Pribram have proven that children having problem of awakening, attention & memory have a high concentration of serotonin in the blood (reported in Robert, 1991).

Depression

In a study conducted by Columbia University, 25 people with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) were treated with NIA ionisers for 1/2h during one month. Half the subjects were given a low level of NAIs and the other half a high level. The higher level of NAIs treatment proved to be as effective as antidepressants drugs, such as Prozac (Finley, 1996)

Irritability 

Studies in school have shown that scholars are less irritable and quieter in presence of ionizers (reported in Robert, 1991).

Neurosis 

Anti-anxiolitic drugs reduce the serotonin secretion, like NAIs do.

Giannini (1986) noticed that anxiousness, nervous tension and excitation reduced in presence of NAIs;

Pr Ucha-Dabe from Buenos-Aires found on patients suffering of anxiousness that negative air ionisation (reported in Robert, 1991):

• is perfectly tolerated
• improves the psychological status of 80% of his patients
• has persisting effects during 6 to 8 months

Stress 

Our vegetative nervous system consists in 2 interacting systems:

• our sympathetic system, promoting excitement, release epinephrine (or adrenaline) and norepinephrine (or noradrenaline) hormones, that provoke vasoconstriction of blood vessels, so increasing the blood pressure, stimulate the heart rate, activate our metabolism and dilate the bronchioles.
  
• our parasympathetic system, encouraging relaxation, occurring naturally

In a healthy organism, both systems are balanced. Udermann & al (1982) found that excess of PAIs creates stress by increasing norepinephrine levels within one day. When exposure to PAIs was continued for longer periods, ranging from 3 to 10 days, norepinephrine levels dropped, resulting in a state of exhaustion.

Livanova & al (1999b) performed different studies on rats and observed that NAIs help them to better control their stress.

Transport nausea 

Car ionisers can reduce en even suppress transport discomfort (reported in Robert, 1991)