In previous articles, we have explored the rapidly accumulating body of science that demonstrates a connection between electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure and voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) overactivation, leading to a cascade of detrimental health effects, especially throughout the brain and nervous system. The downstream effects of this “calcium channel flooding” can potentially produce many diverse symptoms and illnesses, including serious conditions like strokes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, and various neurological conditions.
The scientist who established the novel connection between these causes and effects, based on many previous studies, is Dr. Martin Pall. His ResearchGate.net profile summarizes his extensive work on these topics:
“Since 1998, I have focused on the mechanisms of chronic inflammatory diseases and how various stressors initiate cases of such diseases. The local mechanism involved in such many such diseases, called the NO/ONOO- cycle, has been confirmed in a recent 57-page paper on heart failure, and to a lesser extent in a recent paper in pulmonary hypertension. I have focused in recent years on how stressors cause human disease, with special emphasis on electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and also chemicals. Non-ionizing, low-intensity EMFs act primarily via activation of voltage-gate calcium channels (VGCCs) and to a lesser extent activation of other voltage-gated ion channels via forces on their voltage sensor. VGCCs act via calcium signaling and the peroxynitrite pathway.”
Just last year, Dr. Pall published a new study review, this one focusing on a hot topic in recent times: the sharp rise in autism, and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), over the past 30-40 years, and potential environmental factors that may be associated with its causation. Autism incidence is thought to have increased by 55 times since the 1980s, averaging around 1 in every 2,000 children in the ‘80s, whereas in 2023, up to 1 in 36 children were considered to be autistic.
Many argue that autism hasn’t increased at all, but only appears to have increased due to vastly improved diagnostic practices. They claim that many children and teens (and even adults) who would have previously been undiagnosed, or diagnosed with another condition like “intellectual disability” or ADHD, would get an autism diagnosis in modern times.
It is true that autism, with its full spectrum of attributes and possible expressions, has become more widely recognized in the mainstream than it was in the past. Since autism is considered to be a spectrum, there are those on the upper end of the spectrum considered ‘high functioning’, who can live seemingly normal lives, but just have a ‘neurodivergent’ way of thinking and operating. Those at the lower end of the spectrum cannot live normal lives at all, and require caretakers even throughout their adult years. They suffer from a myriad of debilitating symptoms and health issues. It is clear that the spectrum that is autism varies widely, and the upper end really cannot even be compared to the lower end of the spectrum.
While it seems obvious that diagnostic procedures have improved considerably, this does not rule out an actual increase in autistic individuals, or the likelihood that various environmental factors that have increased in modern times may have a causal role in the development of autism. A 55-fold increase in diagnostic accuracy and practices does not seem very likely, so there must be more pieces to this puzzle.
Also, autism is often thought to be purely genetic, but it’s not possible for genes in themselves to change that drastically over just a couple generations. However, interactions between genes and the environment, described by the term ‘epigenetics’, could certainly explain such a sharp rise (while also factoring in improved diagnostics). Epigenetics is the link between genetic risk, and certain environmental factors that turn susceptible genes on or off, controlling the presence or absence of symptoms associated with autism.
Various environmental or developmental factors can determine whether a genetic tendency is actually expressed and active in a child, or whether it stays dormant and never plays out. These factors include prenatal conditions like stress, infection, chemical and heavy metal exposure, deficiency of key nutrients, and even EMFs (as you will learn more about below). If these stressors are high enough to overwhelm the pregnant mother or the child’s system during vitally important developmental windows, especially in utero or in the postnatal/infancy period, brain development could be delayed or altered.
At the heart of the widespread concern over autism is not an inability to accept different ways of thinking and processing (neurodivergence), but a deep desire for our children to thrive – to function well in life, to be happy, and to be self-sufficient in adulthood.
This is why it’s important to keep an open mind, and to encourage the continuance of deep research into the function of the human body, how our bodies interact with various potentially harmful elements in our environment, and how to prevent, reduce, and remedy these harms as much as we can.
Study review links excessive intracellular calcium to dysfunctions in synaptogenesis
Dr. Martin Pall’s 2024 study review is titled Central Causation of Autism/ASDs via Excessive [Ca2+]i Impacting Six Mechanisms Controlling Synaptogenesis during the Perinatal Period: The Role of Electromagnetic Fields and Chemicals and the NO/ONOO(-) Cycle, as Well as Specific Mutations.
Some foundational concepts first need to be understood to realize the significance of Dr. Pall’s findings, which will hopefully lead to further research to definitively prove or disprove the connections he has established in this review.
The voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) are basically “gates” located on the cellular membranes, which are opened and closed by changes in voltage. Our bodies are electrochemical, which means weak electrical signals produced by ions – like calcium, sodium and potassium – affect the movement of biochemicals. Normally, there is a charge (electrical difference) between the inside and outside of the cells, called polarization, where there’s a lot of calcium outside the cell, and very little inside of it. If there’s a voltage change caused by either an internal or environmental cue, these gates open, allowing a controlled amount of calcium to enter the cell. This temporarily depolarizes the cell membrane and triggers a cascade of intracellular signaling events that influence numerous physiological processes, including neurotransmission, gene expression, muscle contraction, and more.
When too much calcium is allowed to enter the cell, such as when the voltage stimulus is too strong or prolonged – which may be caused by manmade EMFs, which have vastly higher power levels than the weak electric signals in our bodies – this excessive intracellular calcium can overstimulate the body, especially neuron-rich areas like the brain, nervous system and heart.
The downstream effects of excessive, prolonged calcium release result in the production of free radicals, including nitric oxide and superoxide, which then combine to produce a highly unstable free radical called peroxynitrite. Without the presence of sufficient levels of antioxidants to keep this process in check, peroxynitrite becomes one of the most destructive molecules in the body. It can oxidize lipids, derange proteins, and damage DNA. It can also trigger a chain reaction by decomposing into other highly reactive molecules (like hydroxyl radical), which in turn damage more molecules and create even more free radicals. All of this becomes a vicious cycle, resulting in DNA and mitochondrial damage.
This cascade of damage is implicated in chronic fatigue syndrome, neurodegenerative disorders (e.g. Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s), inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, electrosensitivity, and even autism.
Definitions of intracellular calcium, the peroxynitrite pathway, and synaptogenesis
To make the study more understandable, let’s define some key terms:
The scientific notation [Ca2+]i means intracellular calcium, or more specifically, a concentration of calcium ions inside the cell. You will see this term throughout this study and others.
The NO/ONOO(-) cycle refers to the peroxynitrite pathway, the self-amplifying biochemical cascade described previously. This is where nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide (O2-) combine to produce peroxynitrite (ONOO), with cascading downstream effects involving several more damaging free radicals. Since this phenomenon is central to the theories proposed in this paper, you will see it a lot.
You will also want to know the definition of synaptogenesis. This refers to the process by which neurons form synapses with each other, allowing them to communicate via electrical or chemical signals. It is a crucial part of brain development, as well as plasticity – changes in the brain throughout life to support memory and learning. Synaptogenesis is especially active in the prenatal (in utero) and early postnatal (infancy) stages, collectively referred to as the perinatal period.
EMFs & chemicals act through two separate calcium signaling pathways
Dr. Pall’s paper cites a total of 287 related studies to support his main theory, which is that excessive intracellular calcium during the perinatal period disrupts the six mechanisms controlling synaptogenesis, therefore resulting in aberrant or dysfunctional brain development. He details a variety of environmental stimuli that are known to cause excessive intracellular calcium production, including electromagnetic fields (EMFs), as well as various autism-implicated classes of environmental chemicals and heavy metals.
Most of these stimuli act either through the VGCCs, or through another plasma membrane calcium channel class, referred to as the NMDA (N-Methyl-D-Aspartate) receptors. While VGCCs respond purely to changes in membrane voltage, NMDA receptors require both chemical and electrical signals to activate. NMDA receptors allow calcium to enter the cell when the neurotransmitter glutamate (derived from the amino acid glutamic acid) binds to the receptor along with a co-agonist – either glycine or D-serine. At the same time, membrane depolarization is required to dislodge a magnesium ion that normally blocks the channel, allowing ion flow through the receptor.
You may have heard of glutamate excitotoxicity, which is known to be caused by consuming monosodium glutamate (MSG) in certain foods, potentially leading to neurological symptoms, especially in sensitive individuals. This occurs through the NMDA receptors described above. Less well known is that many other chemicals can overactivate these same receptors, causing similar types of symptoms and conditions.
The chemicals that have been found to activate the NMDA receptors, which Dr. Pall highlights in his paper, include various classes of pesticides (including glyphosate, organophosphates, carbamates, organochlorines and pyrethroids), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), mercury, bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, acetaminophen, and valproic acid (a seizure medication). These chemicals have been found in other studies to cause the release of excessive intracellular calcium, and when the toxicity of several of these were tested, the toxic effects were greatly lowered by administering an NMDA antagonist compound, proving that the chemicals were acting through the NMDA pathway.
It is interesting that EMFs and various synthetic chemicals, both of which are vastly more widespread in our environment in modern times than in the past, could affect brain development, and brain and nervous system function, in similar ways. This supports our observation that those who have multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) are very often also electrically hypersensitive (EHS). It seems that these two separate types of environmental stimuli, acting through different pathways to the same destructive end, likely combine in their deleterious effects in sensitive or genetically prone individuals, both child and adult.
Causal and epidemiological links between EMFs, excessive [Ca2+]i, and autism
Numerous scientists and research groups have suggested that increased autism/ASD incidence is associated with, and may be caused by, electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure. Some of these suggestions are based on correlations between increased EMF exposure and increased ASD incidence.
Since the 1980s, when autism was barely known, technology has become substantially more prevalent and powerful over the subsequent decades. Higher frequencies are being used, requiring a higher density of wireless equipment than before, increasing exposure exponentially. Pulse modulation is now used in all wireless communications devices, which is thought to be highly bioactive because the peaks of the pulses are many times stronger than the average strength of a non-pulsed EMF. The intensity of these peaks are far more likely to trigger the voltage sensors on our cells than non-pulsed (continuous wave) EMFs.
Dozens of studies have shown several measurable elements of the peroxynitrite cycle to be elevated in autistic humans or animals, relative to controls. Two mechanisms that can slow the momentum of (or even reverse) the peroxynitrite cycle – activating Nrf2 or AMPK – have been found to improve conditions caused by the cycle, including ASD. Numerous studies have shown that activating the Nrf2 pathway, which is antagonistic to the peroxynitrite pathway, reduces autism symptom severity in animals and humans.
Dr. Pall also summarizes several epidemiological studies, which are studies that document humans exposed to a specific stimulus, and how this stimulus (the cause) is correlated with increasing incidences of certain conditions (the effect). While this cannot prove cause and effect, it can correlate the two, providing more evidence to support an already sound theory.
One such study found an elevated prevalence of autism in a town on the New Jersey coast, where an important military radar station was located. Another study measured the EMF exposure levels of pregnant women who gave birth to babies with autism, compared to normal babies, and found that the EMF exposure in the sleeping areas of the mothers of autistic babies was greatly elevated. Another study linked maternal mobile phone usage with speech problems in children.
There are also at least six different animal studies establishing a link between prenatal EMF exposure and long-lasting neurological changes, some of which are considered to be symptoms of autism. These include lack of normal sociability, lack of preference for social novelty, and decreased exploratory activity. One study recorded both behavioral and biochemical changes, noting that three proteins that have important roles in synaptogenesis, which have been shown elsewhere to play a role in preventing ASDs, were found to have lowered levels in three parts of the brains of EMF exposed rats. The rats also displayed behavioral changes indicating a potential autistic type condition.
Overactivation of the VGCCs causes excessive intracellular calcium, which has directly detrimental effects on brain function and synaptogenesis, even without the peroxynitrite pathway in the equation. When peroxynitrite becomes part of the picture (as a downstream effect of excessive intracellular calcium), which is always the case when inadequate levels of antioxidants are present, the vicious cycle caused by this dangerous cascade of free radicals could potentially explain why the associated neurological conditions become chronic and sustained, instead of just acute and temporary.
The good news is that in some of these studies, moving the animals to an enriched environment – a place with mentally and physically stimulating activities – resulted in a significant (but not complete) reversal of the neurological dysfunction.
Can you prevent, reduce and remedy autism spectrum disorders?
One very intriguing aspect of the voltage-gated calcium channel activation caused by EMFs is that not every pathway results in pathophysiological (harmful) effects. There is one pathway called the nitric oxide signaling pathway, usually activated by low intensity, short duration EMF exposure of specific types – pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) devices and red/infrared light therapy (photobiomodulation) are the most well known – that actually results in therapeutic effects.
The nitric oxide signaling pathway has a downstream effect of activating Nrf2, which controls the transcription of a large number of genes encoding cell protective enzymes. It raises many antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase and catalase, as well as the body’s ‘master antioxidant’, glutathione. These endogenous antioxidants actually bind to and lower peroxynitrite levels, and also lowers the two precursors of peroxynitrite: superoxide and nitric oxide. This interrupts the vicious peroxynitrite cycle, resulting in lowered inflammation, increased detoxification mechanisms, improved mitochondrial function, and more.
Nrf2 isn’t just activated by short duration therapeutic EMFs; it is also improved by various foods, nutrients and phytochemicals. These include substances contained in cruciferous vegetables, garlic and onions, berries, turmeric, chocolate, green tea, and many other whole foods and herbs.
Dr. Pall references quite a few studies using Nrf2-activating substances to successfully reduce the symptoms of autism. Resveratrol, a polyphenol known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which is especially concentrated in the skins of dark colored grapes, and in blueberries and mulberries, is a common substance used in these studies.
Another regulatory system that interrupts the peroxynitrite cycle is AMPK, a protein kinase best known for improving mitochondrial function and lowering inflammation. AMPK can be boosted naturally by fasting, caloric restriction, exercise, cold exposure, and various nutrients including resveratrol, berberine, curcumin, and alpha-lipoic acid. When it comes to food substances, many of these double as both Nrf2 and AMPK activators, making them extra beneficial!
In the final section of Dr. Pall’s paper, he details what he believes to be the most effective ways to reduce the most severe symptoms of autism, based on all the studies he has reviewed. He strongly emphasizes EMF avoidance, especially for pregnant women. He states that magnesium supplementation, as well as vitamin D and folate are reported as helpful for prevention and treatment.
He also recommends putting the person with ASD into an enriched environment, with plenty of the beneficial kinds of mental and physical stimulation that are healthy and necessary for development.
Avoiding chemical exposure is also important, and he recommends eating organically grown food to avoid glyphosate and other pesticides. Purifying drinking water to avoid heavy metals, PCBs and PFAS can be helpful, and avoiding medicines, medical interventions, cosmetics and cleaning products that contain any of the substances on the NMDA-R activating list.
Blushield EMF protection devices may potentially have a beneficial effect, as well. Blushield’s independent review board certified, peer reviewed, PubMex-indexed study found that using our home and portable EMF protection devices resulted in hypermethylation (a quieting or calming) of the CpG sites on some key VGCC-related genes. You can read more about Blushield’s pilot study, and the VGCC effects that were found, here.
One last thing we want to share on this subject is to be kind to yourself and others. Having an autism diagnosis could mean so many things, and your quality of life may still be very good. If you are (or someone you know is) neurodivergent, and your mind just seems to work differently than people around you, that can be a great thing. If you know someone like this, try to understand them better, so that you can support their needs and help them feel seen and heard.
On the other hand, if you know anyone with autism who is suffering from severe symptoms that are harming their quality of life, we really hope this article is helpful for you, and that it leads you towards answers and solutions that can change their lives for the better.