How Wireless Devices Might Lead to Autism Symptoms

Wireless devices may contribute to autism symptoms by interrupting normal neuronal signaling and causing an influx of calcium into the brain. Devices such as mobile phones, Wi-Fi routers, baby monitors, ultrasounds, and other wireless communication devices emit electromagnetic radiation fields (EMF). Researchers such as Martin Pall PhD and Martha Herbert PhD MD have hypothesized that EMFs could lead to autism symptoms through their effect on voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) in the brain.

Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels (VGCCs)

Dr. Herbert’s research (see Sources & References, below) showed that the largest genetic risk factor for the development of autism is in calcium-channel signaling. Calcium channels are voltage-gated, meaning that they are ion channels on the cell membrane that are opened and closed by voltage.

Calcium channels control the entry of calcium ions (Ca²⁺) into cells, which is essential for numerous cellular processes such as neurotransmitter release, synaptic plasticity, and gene expression. In the brain, this calcium influx is critical for normal neuronal signaling and communication between neurons. However, if there is too much signaling, excitotoxicity of neurons occurs. This causes an intense, high-strung state of focus that drains the body of a lot of power.

EMFs and VGCC Activation

Some studies (see Sources & References, below) suggest that exposure to EMFs from wireless devices might cause VGCCs to open, allowing an abnormal influx of calcium into cells. This can lead to:

Calcium Overload

Excessive calcium inside cells can disrupt normal cellular function, especially in neurons. It can lead to cell-signaling problems, affecting brain function and potentially contributing to neurodevelopmental issues.

Neuroinflammation

Calcium overload can also activate inflammatory pathways in the brain. Inflammation is a known contributor to many neurological conditions, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Excitotoxicity

Too much calcium can trigger excitotoxicity, where neurons become overstimulated and can eventually die. This could damage areas of the brain responsible for social behavior, communication, and sensory processing, which are key areas often affected in children with autism. Please note that consumption of processed foods leads to high levels of glutamate in the body, and glutamates can have this same neurotoxic effect.

Blood-Brain-Barrier Breaching

EMFs have been documented to open the blood-brain barrier (see Sources & References, below). In fact, certain forms of EMFs such as ultrasounds are used to deliver drugs such as antibodies across the blood-brain barrier. Exposure to EMFs and wireless devices are one potential cause of pathogenic infections and toxins crossing the blood-brain-barrier, as happens in PANS/PANDAS.

Possible Link to Autism

Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by challenges in social interaction, communication, and behavior. Several studies (see Sources & References, below) suggest that disruptions in calcium signaling and synaptic function could play a role in the development of autism.

EMF exposure from wireless devices can alter calcium signaling in ways that disrupt brain development or function, and this can contribute to or exacerbate symptoms of autism such as sensory issues, gut issues, immune dysregulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and more.

• Mitochondrial dysfunction
• Chronic inflammation
• Blood-sugar dysregulation

Calcium-channel signaling is a common pathway to all of these root causes, and it can contribute to your child being in a constant state of fight or flight. Remember that a body cannot heal if it is constant fight or flight; it can only heal when the cell-danger response is gone, which happens during states of calm (parasympathetic state).

How to Protect Your Child from Calcium Signaling

First of all, avoid things that can lead to excitotoxicity and calcium signaling:

• Exposure to pollutants such as glyphosate
• Inflammation
• Infections
• Low levels of minerals such as magnesium

In addition, doing or adding in anything that can calm the nervous system can help lower calcium signaling, such as:

• Lithium orotate
• Other minerals
• Calming activities

In Conclusion

It’s important to note that the scientific evidence on this topic is still inconclusive, and further research is needed to understand the full scope of how EMFs could influence calcium channels and autism. In the meantime, we recommend using the precautionary principle and avoiding exposing your child to such devices. It can take many years, even decades, for these kinds of studies to get funding and become common knowledge.

About Maria Rickert Hong CHHC

Prior to working on Wall Street, she was a marketing specialist for Halliburton in New Orleans, where she also received her MBA in Finance & Strategy from Tulane University.

She is the author of the bestselling book Almost Autism: Recovering Children from Sensory Processing Disorder and the co-author of Brain Under Attack: A Resource for Parents and Caregivers of Children with PANS, PANDAS, and Autoimmune Encephalitis. She is a co-author of Reversal of Autism Symptoms among Dizygotic Twins through a Personalized Lifestyle and Environmental Modification Approach: A Case Report and Review of the Literature, J. Pers. Med. 2024, 14(6), 641.

Maria is also a Certified Holistic Health Counselor. Her work can be found on DocumentingHope.com, Healing.DocumentingHope.com, Conference.DocumentingHope.com and MariaRickertHong.com

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