The Science Behind Pink Himalayan Salt Lamps: Are They Really Worth the Hype?

Within the last few years, pink Himalayan salt lamps have taken off. They’re now ubiquitous in home decor aesthetics on Instagram. But the lamps purportedly aren’t just for decoration and actually have tangible uses, like cleaner air and a clearer mind.

Proponents of these lamps claim that they offer a range of health benefits, from improving sleep and reducing allergies to enhancing mood and boosting energy levels. However, skeptics argue that the supposed benefits are nothing more than clever marketing capitalizing on spirituality aesthetics and well-being trends.

So, what is the science behind pink Himalayan sea salt lamps, and are they really worth the hype? Let’s dive in.

Where do they come from?

To understand the claims surrounding these lamps, we need to explore the origins and composition of Himalayan salt. Pink Himalayan salt is derived from ancient sea salt deposits formed millions of years ago in the Himalayan region, primarily Pakistan and Nepal. The salt gets its characteristic pink color from the presence of trace minerals, such as iron, potassium, and magnesium. These minerals are believed to be responsible for the claimed health benefits.

The mining process involves extracting the salt from underground chambers or salt mines. Miners use traditional methods, including hand mining and drilling, to access the salt deposits. Once the salt is extracted, it is carefully processed and refined to remove impurities before being sold as pink Himalayan salt.

The lamps are then crafted by hollowing out a solid chunk of pink salt and placing a light source, typically a bulb or candle, inside the hollowed-out space. When the lamp is turned on, it emits a warm inviting glow.

But it’s not just the glow – a supposed chemical reaction from the salt is what makes the lamps so popular.

Back to chemistry class

You need a bit of a chemistry lesson to understand the purported benefits of himalayan sea salt. We need to talk about atoms and ions and charges, oh my.

For starters, remember there are three types of subatomic particles: protons (positively charged), electrons (negatively charged), and neutrons (neutral charge).

Then there are ions, which are an atom or molecule with an electrical charge stemming from the number of electrons. The more electrons in an atom, the more negatively charged it is. The less electrons, the more positively charged.

But what does this have to do with Himalayan salt lamps? Well, salt attracts water molecules from the air that evaporate when exposed to heat. So the salt lamp attracts water molecules and then warms them, leading to evaporation. Proponents claim this evaporation process creates negative ions that are then released back into the air.

Because many atmospheric pollutants are positive ions – like carbon dioxide – negative ions can absorb the excess electrons to “neutralize” the contaminant, theoretically. It is suggested that negative ions can bind with a diversity of positively charged particles in the air, including dust and pollen, to neutralize their charge.

While the science is iffy at best if the lamps can actually produce negative ions, there is some evidence that negative ions do have an effect on mood and overall well-being. Studies show ionization or exposure to negative ions can be a treatment for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and other mental health issues.

Additionally, negative ions have been associated with increased oxygen flow to the brain, potentially enhancing mental alertness and energy levels.

Simply put, the logic goes that positive ions make us feel bad, and negative ions make us feel good. This may sound a bit out there, but research is pretty conclusive regarding their positive effects on air quality (and less so human health). It’s just a matter of how the negative ions are produced and what quantities are required to have an impact.

It’s all about scale

While himalayan salt lamps may or may not release negative ions, the amount coming from a lamp would be negligible regardless. You would likely need entire salt deposits to have any impact on air quality and health.

While negative ions are naturally present in certain environments, the concentration of negative ions emitted by salt lamps is not significant enough to have a substantial impact on much at all.

In contrast, the crashing of water against rocks or other hard surfaces does generate high quantities of negative ions. This is why the air around waterfalls, oceans, rivers, and even after a rainstorm feels fresh and invigorating. Anywhere water is colliding at high speed and pressure creates negative ions that can neutralize positive ions. But imagine this natural process against a small salt lamp: it seems miniscule.

So, like many things in life, it’s all about scale. That’s why you may consider looking into an industrial air ionizer, which release high densities of negative ions into your home to filter air contaminants.

However, this is one of those where there’s no harm, there’s no foul things. Himalayan sea salt lamps are certainly a calming presence that provide a wonderful ambiance. Just don’t believe they’re going to change your life, maybe just your living room.