Do Grounding Mats Really Work? My Honest Take

Hoping for a Miracle

Let’s be honest — if you live with any kind of chronic pain, inflammation, or restless nights, you’ll try just about anything that might help. Tablets, snake oils, electronic devices, praying to your fairy godmother — anything to bring relief from what ails you. I’ve always been a bit sceptical of “miracle cures,” especially when they’re splashed all over social media ads promising to heal you overnight.

Before I go on: I have a series of posts on Peripheral Neuropathy if you'd like to read how I found relief after reading this post.

Black grounding mat with UK plug and cord lying flat on a beige carpet.

Grounding mats (or earthing mats, as some people call them) are one of those things you hear about that sound too good to be true. Plug yourself into the Earth’s natural energy via a regular household socket, lie down, and wake up a new person? Right.

Social Media (SM) or at least my SM Feeds have been awash with these products for the last year or so and I'll admit — I was intrigued enough to follow one or two of those ads but I didn't purchase from them.

Instead, I did my usual trick of ignoring the paid (and possibly sketchy) ad and went looking for that product on Amazon, where I have access to product reviews and further insights. You'll generally find the same products at a third of the price of those listed on SM (using clever marketing videos) but with actual feedback so you know what you are buying into.

Grounding Mats: Too Good to Be True?

If you do even a quick Google search, you’ll find plenty of big claims: better sleep, less inflammation, reduced pain, calmer mind, more energy — Force Powers. (Okay, that last one’s a Star Wars joke.)

The idea is that by physically connecting yourself to the Earth’s electrical charge, you “rebalance” your body in some magical way. It sounds completely logical — and when I was a child walking barefoot on the grass I obviously felt fantastic. But what about an adult of more advanced years and possibly with an infirmity or two?

Would a Grounding Mat help?

Here’s the thing: the science is patchy at best. Some small studies show promising results for sleep and inflammation and some thermal scans seem to show actual differences before and after Grounding. Most experts say more research is needed before we can call grounding mats a real solution.

So why did I buy one? Well, I wasn't quite desperate — but I was very curious.

Why I Decided to Try One

When you’re dealing with nagging symptoms like Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy every day, you reach for any straw in order to find some relief. I ordered my first grounding mat fully expecting to waste my money. It was only about €35 so if it didn't work, so what — I wouldn't be out of pocket too much.

The Chair Experiment

I set it up, plugged it in, and honestly, I thought, This is silly. I was hoping nobody would see me using it and start eye-rolling while looking in my direction.

I wear shorts, so I used it under my bare legs while I was watching TV on my recliner. Did I notice anything? Nothing at all if I'm being honest. For the first week, I used it under my calves while watching TV — maybe four hours or so each evening and it didn't seem to do anything for me. I started reading about the mats and found it was better recommended for your bed as it would mean more contact and longer duration. I was game to try that so I switched from the chair to the bed.

Testing it in Bed

Based on my reading, I set it up in the bed so that contact would be made from just under my shoulder down to my waist. My first few nights were normal with nothing to report but I did notice something unusual.

My neuropathy in my feet is quite bad at times and at night I've had to wear socks to bed for over a year. A few nights after using the mat, I had no pain so I tried sleeping without socks. I made it through the night without waking due to the pain. I figured this was just a fluke so I tested it again the following night — and this continued for months with the same pain free or almost pain free results.

Full disclosure: I have had the odd night where I felt cold and put socks on but for the most part, I sleep with bare feet these days. Anyone who has had to wear socks in bed will tell you that it is the most uncomfortable and unnatural feeling in the world. What a relief to finally escape that necessity.

So, I bought another

A few weeks in, I started to notice some subtle changes. Nothing miraculous — but enough to make me wonder if there might actually be something to this. So I did what any sceptic does: I doubled down. I bought a second mat for my bed to see if a better quality one, used overnight, would make any difference.

The second one was breathable and more comfortable, and this time it came with an indicator pen to show if it was working or not. It’s now a few months later and while I don’t wake up feeling like a brand new person, my nighttime foot pain is much less — and I probably wake up before my alarm a lot more than I used to.

Breathable black grounding mat placed on a bed with cable attached.

Why Might It Be Helping?

Now, I’m not claiming this is a miracle. I still don’t fully understand how (or if) these mats “work.” Maybe it’s the placebo effect. Maybe it’s a combination of grounding and just paying more attention to my routine.

But here’s what I know: my sleep feels a bit deeper, my feet and legs aren’t as restless or bothered at night, and my mornings feel slightly less stiff. Is that enough proof? Maybe not for science journals — but enough for me to keep using them.

If it is indeed a placebo effect — is it not worth spending €50 to €100 for pain relief without medication?

Should You Try a Grounding Mat?

Look, I’m not telling anyone to throw out their medication or ditch their doctor. But if you’re curious — and you’ve got an open mind — it might be worth trying for yourself. Worst case, you wasted a few quid. Best case, you might notice a subtle shift that makes your day-to-day feel a bit easier.

I’ve linked the exact grounding mats I bought below if you’d like to see for yourself. They won’t fix everything, but for me, they’ve earned a spot in my daily routine and they were enough for me to write about to share a possible solution to your own pain.

One quick safety note — grounding mats connect to your home’s earth wiring, so it’s generally advised not to use them during lightning storms. Always read the product instructions and use common sense.

I'm an Amazon Affiliate, want to help me out?

Author Note: If you found this post helpful and plan to buy from Amazon UK or Amazon Ireland, please consider using my affiliate links below. These are marked clearly. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases — it costs you nothing but helps support my work. If you’re outside the UK/Ireland or just want to show appreciation, you can also “Buy Me a Coffee” at the bottom of the page. Every little bit helps — thank you!

The first Grounding Mat I bought is no longer available so I will link to a similar one. You are free to choose your preferred type after that. I advise at a minimum, go for a 40x60cm size or above and make sure it comes with a UK Plug for Irish and UK homes.

Buy Grounding Mat 1 on Amazon UK. Buy Grounding Mat 1 on Amazon Ireland.

Buy Grounding Mat 2 on Amazon UK. Buy Grounding Mat 2 on Amazon Ireland.

Affiliate link – I may earn a small commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.

Final Thoughts

I’ll be the first to say grounding mats aren’t some magic fix — but in my case, they’ve taken the edge off my nighttime pain and helped me sleep a little better. Maybe it’s the Earth’s energy, maybe it’s just the routine, or maybe it’s all in my head — but if something simple can make life even slightly easier, I’ll take it.

If you’re dealing with restless nights, pain, or just plain curiosity, it might be worth giving one a try. Worst case, you’re out a few euro. Best case, you get a bit more comfort, a bit more sleep — and maybe, like me, you’ll find it worth sharing.

Thanks for reading — if you’ve tried grounding mats, I’d love to hear what happened for you.

David

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