Salt Lamps in the Bedroom: Health Benefits and Myths
Himalayan salt lamps are slowly becoming a normal presence in a lot of households worldwide due to their aesthetically pleasing look and purported health benefits
05/05/2019
Himalayan salt lamps are slowly becoming a normal presence in a lot of households worldwide due to their aesthetically pleasing look and purported health benefits. Without a doubt, it’s the latter that attracts most people to buy these lamps. After all, why wouldn’t you want a lamp that could allegedly boost your blood flow or raise your energy levels?
These claims, of course, have to be taken with a grain of salt (no pun intended). For one, very few studies have been done to prove those claims. That’s not say that salt lamps are not without benefits, though. Below, we’ve outlined the most factual advantages that you can get from them.
Improves your mood.
This might be connected to the claim that Himalayan salt lamps are able to boost your energy levels and reduce your stress. Most of this benefit actually hinges on its overall appearance (while lit) and not because of some scientific process that the lamp undergoes.
Its orange glow, especially if its brightness is well-adjusted to the room you put it in, can really bring about a calming atmosphere. However, this advantage is obviously not unique to it as this also rings true for any other furnishing in your room (from a painting, to a sculpture, etc.) that can also impart relaxing feelings.
Induces sleep.
This is true if you tend to expose yourself to brighter lights before sleeping. If you immerse yourself in your bedroom that's lit only by a salt lamp, you’ll immediately notice the difference. The dimmer light that the salt lamp produces, coupled with the soft orange light that it emits, can certainly help bring about a drowsier state faster.
These are the only two benefits of the Himalayan salt lamps that happen to have actual facts to back them up. There is the claim that salt lamps produce negative ions. While this is true, they don’t really make enough of those ions to bring about any significant health benefits.
Exposing your body to negative ions might actually improve your concentration and overall mental energy, but it’s best to acquire them from nature (from natural sunlight, storms, or waterfalls, for example) where they are more abundant.
What are the Myths about Himalayan Salt Lamps?
Raises air quality.
This is the number-one myth surrounding salt lamps and, unfortunately, a lot of people still believe that this is an actual benefit. There’s absolutely no scientific evidence that can back this up. Some sources use terms like hygroscopy, which allows the salt in the lamps to clear the air of germs and allergens. While salt does attract water molecules that could contain bacteria, by no means are salt lamps able to completely remove them from the air. And, there aren’t a lot of studies that have been conducted about this particular effect. From this claim stems other false beliefs like its purported potent way of shielding people from asthma, common colds, and boosting respiration.
Improves circulation.
This is rooted in the salt lamp ability to create negative ions. However, the small amount produced can’t really make that much of an impact. This, in turn, effectively crosses out the claim that salt lamps can lower blood pressure. As you can see, there is a delicate balance between the proven benefits of salt lamps and the myths that surround them. It’s safe to say that these lamps do have their uses, especially if you happen to desire any of the listed benefits they can impart. As with anything you decide to believe or use, it certainly wouldn't hurt to pinpoint the myths and facts about any product. Salt lamps aren't an exception.
This piece takes an objective look at the alleged health benefits of Himalayan salt lamps. All of its benefits and myths are outlined. Arguments regarding their being considered as actual benefits and myths are made. These arguments are solely based on scientific evidences and studies (or lack thereof) conducted on these salt lamps.