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Ismail Munir

Himalayan Salt Lamp: The Truth Behind The Hype

Introduction

If you&#39;re looking for a way to add some unique, natural beauty to your home while promoting better health and wellness, look no further than the humble Himalayan salt lamp made from chunks of pink salt crystal harvested from the foothills of the Himalayas in Pakistan. These lamps emit a warm, soft glow that&#39;s not only visually stunning but has numerous benefits for both the body and mind. 
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Himalayan salt lamps are colored rock salt crystals that have a lightbulb fitted inside. When you turn them on, they emit a warm, reddish-pink glow.

Pink Himalayan salt products have grown increasingly popular in recent years due to their supposed health advantages. They appeal to people who desire to live a more natural lifestyle. Nevertheless, there is little to no evidence to back up these claims<a href="#accordion">[3]</a>. 
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Understanding the Benefits of Himalayan Salt Lamps

Himalayan salt lamps are decorative lamps made from large blocks of pink rock salt mined from the Himalayan mountains. The salt is principally mined at the Khewra Salt Mine, which is located at the foothills of the Salt Range Hill between the Indus River and the Punjab Plain in Jhelum District, Pakistan. These salt blocks can vary in size, with some as small as a few inches and others as large as several feet<a href="#accordion">[4]</a>.

To make a Himalayan salt lamp, a hole is drilled into the center of the salt block and a light bulb is inserted. The light bulb is usually a low-wattage bulb that provides just enough heat to make the salt glow. 
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The theory behind how Himalayan salt lamps work is based on the concept of ionization. Ions are atoms or molecules that have an unequal number of electrons and protons. This can result in either a negative or positive charge. Negative ions are can be found in high concentrations near natural sources of water, such as waterfalls, the ocean, and after a thunderstorm.

In our modern, technology-filled world, we&#39;re constantly surrounded by positive ions emitted by electronic devices, such as computers, smartphones, and televisions. These positive ions can lead to feelings of sluggishness, headaches, and other symptoms of &quot;electronic fatigue.&quot; 
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Enter the Himalayan salt lamp. When heated, these lamps release negative ions into the air, effectively neutralizing the positive ions besides purifying the air of pollutants, mold, insect droppings, animal dander, and other environmental allergens. Consequently, the lamp improves air quality, enhances mood and concentration, and reduces symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression.

It&#39;s important to note that the scientific evidence for these health claims is limited, and more research is needed to fully understand the effects of Himalayan salt lamps. Nevertheless, many people enjoy using these lamps as a natural way to enhance their indoor air quality and create a calming atmosphere in their homes. Whether or not they actually have therapeutic effects, they can still serve as a beautiful and natural source of light and decoration. 
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<ul>
	<li>Purify Air: Himalayan salt lamps are said to purify the air by attracting water molecules, along with any pollutants or allergens that may be present. When the bulb heats the lamp, it releases water vapor back into the air but retains the contaminants. This improves air quality. 
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	<li>Improve Mood: The soft light emitted by the lamp is said to create a calming and relaxing atmosphere, which can improve mood and reduce stress. Again, this effect is due to air ionization, i.e., being exposed to more negative ions in the environment. In a study, animals were exposed to a salt lamp for 14 weeks, and it was observed that they had increased tryptophan and serotonin levels, which had an antidepressant effect on the animals<a href="#accordion">[3]</a>. 
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	<li>Reverse Sleep Deprivation: The calming and relaxing atmosphere created by the lamp is said to reduce stress and promote relaxation, which improves sleep quality and boosts energy levels. 
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	<li>Alleviate Symptoms Of Allergies And Asthma: According to a study, salt rooms (an entire room filled with salt, not just one lamp) provided relief to children who had mild asthma<a href="#accordion">[2]</a>.The negative ions produced by the lamp are believed to help reduce the respiratory symptoms associated with allergies, COPD, and asthma, such as sneezing, coughing, and runny nose. 
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	<li>Reduce Electromagnetic Radiation: Himalayan salt lamps are also said to reduce the amount of electromagnetic radiation present in the environment, which can come from electronic devices, such as cell phones and computers, by creating a more mindful space. 
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	<li>Manage Skin Conditions: Salt in any form is beneficial for dealing with symptoms of skin conditions. People report that salty ocean water, for instance, has helped calm flare-ups of psoriasis and eczema. Also, a study reported that bathing in salt solution reduced inflammation and dry skin<a href="#accordion">[2]</a>. 
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	<li>Improve Cognitive Performance: A study concluded that even short-term exposure to higher indoor air ion concentrates slightly improved the cognitive performance of adults<a href="#accordion">[3]</a>. 
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</ul>

Note: More research is required to validate the aforementioned benefits. If you&#39;re considering using a Himalayan salt lamp for health reasons, it&#39;s best to consult with a doctor or healthcare professional. 
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A naturally occurring mineral usually contains trace amounts of heavy metals, like lead. The good news is, even though these metals do exist on salt particles, their concentration level is so low that they cannot be considered a health hazard.

However, the same cannot be said for children and pets. You need to keep it out of their reach because there&rsquo;s this risk that they might accidentally lick the lamp, especially cats as they can climb onto tables and shelves. Too much salt through repetitive licking can be toxic to cats and dogs. 
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If the cat has licked it excessively, it might present symptoms of salt toxicity, including diarrhea, vomiting, drowsiness, and seizures, eventually leading to death.

Also, like any other electrical device, a salt lamp can be a fire hazard if the product is used incorrectly or if the wiring is damaged. In 2017, there were two separate instances of the Consumer Product Safety Commission recalling salt lamps sold under the brand name Lumiere because they were prone to overheating and their dimmer switches were defective as well<a href="#accordion">[4]</a>. 
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Last but not the least, always purchase an authentic Himalayan salt lamp and avoid artificial devices. However, a genuine salt lamp will be heavy. Again, be careful while placing it somewhere it wouldn&rsquo;t topple off and injure anyone sitting or standing beneath it. Place them in a secure and stable spot. 
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One tip to spot a fake lamp from a real one is that an authentic lamp will chip or break when dropped, whereas a fake one will be more resistant to damage.

Another quick test to check is that the lamp should &lsquo;sweat&rsquo; in environments. When you wipe a genuine salt lamp with a damp cloth, you&rsquo;ll notice pink mineral residue on the cloth<a href="#accordion">[4]</a>. 
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The fact that genuine salt lamps draw moisture from the environment that condenses on the lamp&rsquo;s surface means the water can trickle onto the lamp&rsquo;s base or the furniture it&rsquo;s placed on. This will happen when the lamp is not warm. If the surface underneath the lamp is of wood, moisture will only stain it; but, if it&rsquo;s metal, then the moisture will cause corrosion.

That&rsquo;s why it&rsquo;s imperative to check the position of the bulb inside the lamp before turning it on to see it&rsquo;s not touching the rock itself. This will reduce condensation. Also, turn your lamp on every day to ensure water doesn&rsquo;t accumulate. 
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Conclusion

Himalayan salt lamps are a popular natural product that is believed to offer a number of health benefits. Some of the benefits that have been attributed to these lamps include improved air quality, improved mood, better sleep, alleviation of allergy and asthma symptoms, and reduction of electromagnetic radiation. While some people swear by the positive effects, it&#39;s important to keep in mind that the claims about the benefits of Himalayan salt lamps are not scientifically proven. However, there is no potential harm listed for using the salt lamp so you might as well go ahead and buy one! 
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Key Takeaways

<ul>
	<li>Himalayan salt lamps are colored rock salt crystals that have a lightbulb fitted inside. </li>
	<li>These lamps emit a warm, soft glow that&#39;s not only visually stunning but has numerous benefits for both the body and mind.</li>
	<li>The theory behind how Himalayan salt lamps work is based on the concept of ionization. </li>
	<li>Negative ions can be found in high concentrations near natural sources of water, such as waterfalls, the ocean, and after a thunderstorm. </li>
	<li>When heated, these lamps release negative ions into the air, effectively neutralizing the positively charged particles in the air, such as pollutants and allergens, making the air cleaner and fresher.</li>
	<li>Some of the benefits that have been attributed to salt lamps include improved air quality, improved mood, better sleep, alleviation of allergy and asthma symptoms, and reduction of electromagnetic radiation. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>