At the Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem, physicians are utilizing electromagnetic field therapy to study ways to help patients who suffer emotional strain from war. It is thought that approximately eight percent of all Israelis who have been exposed to armed combat suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder. A coil containing twenty hertz of electromagnetic waves is held close to the patient’s head to create alternate magnetic fields, thereby stimulating deep parts of the brain. According to Dr. Abraham Zangen of the Weizmann Institute, transcranial magnetic stimulation or TMS attempts to change the way a patient’s brain deals with memories of traumatic events. As patients are reminded of trauma, the amygdala triggers and the prefrontal cortex becomes inhibited. Consequently, the electromagnetic pulse actually stimulates the prefrontal cortex and strengthens the synaptic connectivity to help folks process the emotions more effectively. In most cases, we have a very nice reaction, very good response; not always lasting forever, not always long lasting, but a good response, Zangen said.

Several medical studies that have been carried out reportedly support the practice of magnetic therapy. However, these are extremely controversial studies. Numerous critics say that there is no relevant way to measure whether the magnets proved beneficial. Some believe the magnets are similar to a placebo. The person is assured that it will work and so the patient thinks this and reports back that they feel better. You will likely encounter more information on why magnet therapy does not work than information that supports it. It is up to you to weed through all of the data and reach your own conclusion. Probably, the best bet is to find someone that already uses magnetic jewelry products or has tried it in the past. Many countries have authorized therapeutic magnets to be used as medical devices but the US is definitely not on that list.