What do salt lamps do? Himalayan salt lamps are often marketed as natural air purifiers that can help with respiratory issues, mood, and sleep. While using salt to treat ailments, like in halotherapy, has been around for centuries, current scientific studies on the benefits of salt lamps inside our homes paint a different picture.

Here’s a look at some of the findings to help you consider whether or not a salt lamp is right for your home.

What Do Salt Lamps Do?

When heated, salt can be a natural ionizer, changing the electrical charge of the air around it. For perspective, waterfalls, waves, and storms are also natural ionizers, though these produce more negative ions than a salt lamp can.

As a natural ionizer, salt in its pure form can release negative ions into the air once heated by attracting particles of pollution and assigning them a negative charge. By doing this, the particles seek an electrical ground, and therefore, they fall to the floor. In short, the production of negative ions can help us combat pollution in the air. Unfortunately, salt lamps are unable to produce negative ions on their own, but there is a way around this.

Since salt is also naturally hygroscopic (meaning it absorbs water molecules from the air), salt lamps work to accelerate the evaporation process, which does produce negative ions, to mimic the natural ionization process of pure salt. Their hope? These lamps will provide the same benefits . . . but do they?

Salt Lamp Benefits

So, what are the true benefits of salt lamps? What’s fact, and what is a myth? Let’s take a look.

The Benefits of Salt Lamps and Air Purification

Now that we know how salt lamps try to mimic the creation of negative ions, what is the true relationship between salt lamps and air purification?

Most of the research and claims about salt lamp benefits related to respiratory issues, like asthma, probably come directly from halotherapy findings, which has been shown to improve respiratory health in certain cases.

However, we know the concentrations of salt used in halotherapy is much greater than the concentrations in common household salt lamps. To that end, there have been no studies directly focused on the impact Himalayan salt lamps have on respiratory health.

Other claims, which focus on salt as a natural hygroscopic, believe salt lamps remove impurities from the air as the evaporation process occurs. But it’s unclear if common and household salt lamps are truly capable of removing harmful airborne contaminants from our air.

In short, there’s no proven method that indicates air purification as one of the benefits of salt lamps. We have Healthy Air solutions, including AprilAire Whole-House Air Purifiers, for that!

The Benefits of Salt Lamps and Mood Improvements

Research has shown that people do report improved feelings after being exposed to large concentrations of negative ions—that’s why the beach is a natural mood booster! However, it’s unclear if this is a salt lamp benefit. Whether the negative ions created through evaporation reach those mood-boosting levels or anywhere near them.

Apart from negative ions, there is some truth to this salt lamp benefit. Salt lamps can help make a room feel cozier and by being in its presence, it can help relax your environment, which ultimately improves mood. We consider the calming vibe these lamps add to homes to be one of the better-known benefits of salt lamps!

Luckily, there are natural ways to boost your mood at home—starting with Healthy Air. Discover some of the brain and mood benefits here.

The Benefits of Salt Lamps and Better Sleep

There are actually no associations between negative ions and their impact on sleep, so there isn’t noteworthy news on whether or not salt lamps benefit sleep.

However, like its mood-boosting powers, the warm glow of the salt lamp is a great alternative to overhead lights as you drift off to dreamland.

Humidity control is another natural way to improve sleep. Read more here.

While salt lamps have not been adequately studied, they can bring warmth to your home. For those looking to experience better air quality, improve sleep and stress, and much more, it’s time for Healthy Air. Contact your local AprilAire Healthy Air Professional for personalized recommendations!

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