Research has shown that simple high-voltage electrostatic fields can exert various effects on the human body, most of which appear to be beneficial. For instance, high-voltage fields in the range of 2400 kV/m (2.4 MV/m) have been found to have a positive impact on mice, as measured by their activity levels, liver respiration rate, and antibody formation capacity. In contrast, mice deprived of any electrostatic fields, placed inside a Faraday cage, exhibited opposite results.

(It is worth noting that the external ambient electrostatic field generated by the potential difference between the ionosphere and the Earth is approximately 100 V/m and increases during storms.) Such studies suggest not only a correlation with immune resistance but also highlight another important aspect of bioelectromagnetism (BEM): the strength of the endogenous electric field a few centimeters from bone or tissue is typically only about 10 mV/m for an exogenous field of 1 MV/m at a frequency of 10 Hz or lower. (For example, the Earth’s ionosphere—Schumann cavity—essentially resonates around 10 Hz.)

However, the dependence of endogenous voltage on frequency decreases logarithmically, so a signal in the MHz range requires only 100 V/m to achieve the same 10 mV/m voltage internally. Consequently, higher-frequency electromagnetic fields generate correspondingly higher endogenous fields.

As an application example, it was found that a peak transient electric field value of approximately 150 mV/m, measured on average in the medial knee cartilage, was achieved during osteoarthritis therapy using a 0.12 mT coil with pulses lasting 260 microseconds.

Pulsed electric or magnetic fields are also considered an alternative solution when it is understood that higher endogenous field strengths are desirable. Another example is an electric field of 100 kV/m, which enhances the synthesis of macromolecules such as DNA and collagen (which forms connective tissues). Moreover, if the field is interrupted at least once per second (pulse frequency of 1 Hz), DNA synthesis increases by 20%, while collagen synthesis rises by as much as 100%. A dependence on field strength has also been observed.