Down To Ground Grounding Mat

The ‘Down To Ground’ Grounding Mat is a conductive mat designed to reconnect your body with the Earth’s natural electrical field, effectively simulating the experience of walking barefoot on natural ground, but indoors.
Inside the mat are conductive materials (e.g. stainless steel fibres) that enable electrons from the Earth to flow through the mat and into your body when the mat is properly grounded, typically via the grounding port of a standard electrical outlet. This flow of electrons is believed to neutralise excess positive charge and help restore the body’s electrical balance, mimicking the grounding effect of being outdoors.

In practice, you simply place the mat where you spend time (under a desk, by a chair, or on a couch), connect it to a grounded outlet (or grounding rod, depending on setup), and ensure bare skin or minimal barriers between you and the mat. Over time, regular use allows your body to reap the benefits of a natural ‘earthing’ connection without leaving your home.

Users of grounding mats and grounding supporters often highlight several benefits. According to grounding theory and emerging (though preliminary) research, using a grounding mat may help improve sleep quality, reduce inflammation and pain, improve circulation, lower stress, and support overall well-being.

For example, grounding has been associated with normalisation of the body’s day-night cortisol rhythm, which may help alleviate sleep disturbances, potentially leading to deeper or more restful sleep. Some users also report decreases in chronic pain or stiffness, or reduced inflammation, possibly because grounding can help neutralise free radicals and restore the body’s electrical equilibrium.

Additionally, grounding may support circulation: by affecting blood flow and reducing oxidative stress, it could help nutrients and oxygen travel more efficiently throughout the body, which some studies suggest could assist in recovery and general wellness.

It’s worth noting, however, that scientific evidence remains limited; many studies are small or pilot in nature. As a result, individual experiences can vary significantly.

For grounding mats like the ‘Down To Ground’ model, direct skin contact or minimal barrier contact (e.g., a thin sock or sheet) is generally recommended to maximise effectiveness. That way, the conductive surface can facilitate the transfer of electrons from the Earth into your body.
Although the mat connects via your home’s electrical system, it does not use electricity in the conventional sense: it doesn’t draw active current or deliver a charge like an appliance would. Instead, it uses only the ground line as a neutral reference to Earth to provide a path for Earth’s electrons.
Because of this grounding-only connection, the mat remains safe to use even if the outlet switch is off (assuming grounding is properly wired). The conductivity of the mat comes from its materials (e.g. stainless steel fibre), not from electricity supplied from the outlet.

If you're unsure whether your outlet is properly grounded (especially in older homes), it's a good idea to check with an outlet tester or electrician before using a grounding mat to ensure safety and effectiveness.

While each person’s experience may vary, grounding industry guidance often suggests using grounding mats regularly for meaningful benefit. Some sources recommend using them daily, either for shorter sessions (e.g., 30–40 minutes) or, ideally, overnight during sleep.

The rationale: overnight grounding is considered especially beneficial because the body does much of its natural repair, recovery, and regulation while we sleep, so grounding during sleep potentially supports better circadian rhythm alignment, lower cortisol overnight, and deeper rest.

For daytime grounding (e.g., at a desk or while relaxing), even 20–60 minutes may offer value, especially if you spend many hours indoors and away from natural ground contact. However, it's best to use the mat consistently over days or weeks to evaluate any changes in sleep, stress, pain, or energy levels.

As always, effects vary: some users notice improvements quickly, while others find changes subtle or gradual. Results are influenced by factors like how often you use the mat, grounding setup quality (proper grounding), lifestyle, and individual physiology.

Grounding (also called ‘earthing’) and grounding mats remain a topic of ongoing research. There are some peer-reviewed studies and preliminary findings suggesting benefits such as reduced inflammation, improved sleep quality, better circulation, and mood enhancement.
For example, some reviews examined grounding's potential to decrease chronic inflammation and improve healing. However, research is still limited: many studies have small sample sizes, and there are few large-scale, long-term clinical trials. Thus, while findings are promising, they are not yet conclusive.

On the safety front: when used properly (i.e., connected only to the grounding port, not using the live/hot slot), grounding mats are generally considered safe. That said, people living in older buildings with questionable grounding wiring should verify their electrical system first.
In summary, grounding mats offer a low-risk, low-effort tool that many find beneficial, but they should be viewed as a complementary wellness aid rather than a medically proven cure. Individual experiences differ, and grounding isn’t a substitute for standard medical care.