Frequency-specific responses in the human brain caused by electromagnetic fields.

The effects of 1.5- and 10-Hz electromagnetic fields (EMFs), 0.2-0.4 gauss, on the intrinsic electrical activity of the human brain at these frequencies was studied. Each of 19 subjects exposed for 2-sec epochs exhibited altered brain electrical activity at the frequency of the EMF during the time of stimulation, as determined by spectral analysis of the electroencephalogram. Since brain activity at specific frequencies could be altered by applied EMFs, the results suggest that it may be possible to use EMFs to determine whether particular intrinsic frequencies subserve specific physiological or behavioral responses.