Are Himalayan Salt Lamps Legit?
The quick answer: Nope. Sorry.
Gosh, we want to believe that Himalayan salt lamps are legit. We really, really do. They are so beautiful with that lovely glow. We love cooking with their sister, Himalayan salt (or its sea salt "mined in America" counterpart). And if the pretty-in-pink lamps’ claims that their salt’s negative ions released by heating/turning on the lamp can improve sleep, boost blood flow, calm allergies, neutralize electromagnetic radiation from big-ass TVs and bedside iPhones were backed by scientific evidence of any sort, we would totally jump on the bandwagon.
Negative nelly
Unfortunately, the only positive thing about these salty ions seems to be that they’re nice to look at. Everyone from the EPA to Dr. Weil says the fad of Himalayan salt lamps is big B.S. There are no studies to back them up.
While research shows that negative ions do have some benefits, the salt lamps are just not strong enough to make a dent on your room’s air pollution. Unless you have a wall o’ salt lamps maybe! You’re better off with a couple of air-purifying houseplants or an air purifier.
Zen trippin’
By the way, there are no salt mines in the Himalayas, which is the largest mountain range in Asia, sprawling from Afghanistan across Pakistan, India, Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and Burma. Large crystal rocks like those used for Himalayan salt lamps are usually mined in Pakistan (200 miles-ish from the foothills of the mountains), Iran or Poland. But “Himalayan” sounds more exotic and Zen, doesn’t it?
Into the hype
If you want one simply because of the mood lighting (baumchickabaumbaum), they fulfill your healthy-hippy dreams or “just in case,” we don’t blame you. You can get one here—the reviews show people are believers.
Otherwise, pass on the salt.
And if you have a Himalayan salt lamp and are one of the people who absolutely swear it has had an effect on your health—fantastic, more power to you! Studies have shown, and science does back up, the power of the placebo effect. Just sayin’.
