When biology meets polarity: Toward a unified framework for sex-dependent responses to magnetic polarity in living systems

PAPER manual Electromagn Biol Med 2026 Review Effect: mixed Evidence: Insufficient

Read original paper → DOI: 10.1080/15368378.2026.2621660 PMID: 41618935 Evidence Lab

Abstract

Category: Magnetobiology, Physiology, Review Tags: electromagnetic fields, magnetic polarity, sex differences, magnetobiology, ion channel modulation, hormonal modulation, biological health effects DOI: 10.1080/15368378.2026.2621660 URL: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Overview ⚡ The human body emits a bioelectromagnetic field, primarily generated by the heart, with contributions from the brain, muscles, and nerves. These internal fields can be influenced by external electromagnetic and magnetic exposures. Mechanisms of Interaction - 🔬 Modulation of ion channels - 🌀 Radical pair dynamics - 🧲 Ion cyclotron resonance Sex-specific differences have been observed in responses to magnetic field exposure, influenced by: - 💓 Heart orientation, position, and mass - ⚡ Tissue conductivity - 🧬 Hormonal modulation - 🔄 Autonomic balance - 🧠 Cortical field organization Findings Studies show that biological effects depend on field parameters such as intensity, frequency, polarity (north/south), and direction. Notably, some results indicate a direct relationship between polarity and sex, with different physiological and behavioral outcomes for males and females. Implications - Failure to account for field polarity and direction may overlook important health risks linked to electromagnetic field exposure. - This review proposes a new framework integrating magnetobiology and sex-based physiology to study these effects, suggesting that hormonal and structural differences between sexes modulate magnetic sensitivity. Conclusion Potential mechanisms include ion-channel modulation, magnetite orientation, and radical-pair dynamics. Experimental paradigms are suggested for future research. These insights highlight the importance of considering sex as a biological variable in EMF safety and research.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Review

Effect direction

mixed

Population

—

Sample size

—

Exposure

Evidence strength

Insufficient

Confidence: 66% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

This review describes evidence that biological effects of magnetic field exposure can depend on field parameters including intensity, frequency, polarity (north/south), and direction, and reports that some findings indicate sex-dependent differences in physiological and behavioral outcomes related to polarity. It proposes a unified framework integrating magnetobiology and sex-based physiology, emphasizing that hormonal and structural differences may modulate magnetic sensitivity and that failing to account for polarity/direction could miss relevant health risks.

Outcomes measured

sex-dependent physiological responses to magnetic polarity
sex-dependent behavioral outcomes related to magnetic polarity
ion channel modulation
radical pair dynamics
ion cyclotron resonance
hormonal modulation of magnetic sensitivity

Limitations

No specific exposure metrics (e.g., intensity, frequency values, duration) are provided in the abstract.
No specific study designs, populations, or sample sizes from included studies are described in the abstract.
The abstract presents a proposed framework and potential mechanisms without detailing the strength/consistency of underlying evidence.

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "review",
    "exposure": {
        "band": null,
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": null,
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "sex-dependent physiological responses to magnetic polarity",
        "sex-dependent behavioral outcomes related to magnetic polarity",
        "ion channel modulation",
        "radical pair dynamics",
        "ion cyclotron resonance",
        "hormonal modulation of magnetic sensitivity"
    ],
    "main_findings": "This review describes evidence that biological effects of magnetic field exposure can depend on field parameters including intensity, frequency, polarity (north/south), and direction, and reports that some findings indicate sex-dependent differences in physiological and behavioral outcomes related to polarity. It proposes a unified framework integrating magnetobiology and sex-based physiology, emphasizing that hormonal and structural differences may modulate magnetic sensitivity and that failing to account for polarity/direction could miss relevant health risks.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "No specific exposure metrics (e.g., intensity, frequency values, duration) are provided in the abstract.",
        "No specific study designs, populations, or sample sizes from included studies are described in the abstract.",
        "The abstract presents a proposed framework and potential mechanisms without detailing the strength/consistency of underlying evidence."
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
    "confidence": 0.66000000000000003108624468950438313186168670654296875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "magnetobiology",
        "magnetic polarity",
        "sex differences",
        "electromagnetic fields",
        "directionality",
        "ion channels",
        "radical pair",
        "ion cyclotron resonance",
        "hormonal modulation",
        "physiology"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

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