While magnets have not been scientifically proven to help treat anxiety, the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) funds research to investigate a magnet's potential in a variety of applications. Researchers speculate that perhaps magnets can alter how nerve cells function and increase blood flow and temperature to the area being treated. It's unclear how these benefits--still unproven--might relate to a magnet's purported ability to relieve anxiety, but if you're willing to try something that's still unproven, buy body magnets to help your anxiety.
Step 1
Consult your doctor before purchasing a body magnet for anxiety if you use a medical device like a pacemaker, defibrillator or insulin pump. Magnets may interfere with such devices. Keep your medical team informed about all alternative therapies you use, including magnets, as a matter of course, and make sure not to use magnets on wounds that have yet to heal.
Step 2
Consider the various forms of magnets available. You can purchase magnet jewelry, magnetic wraps that can be applied to the body, magnetic shoe inserts, magnetic mattress pads and even magnetic hairbrushes (see "Resources"). Purchase magnets that are within your price range, are something you'll actually use or wear and have a 30-day or better return policy without exorbitant return fees.
Step 3
Inquire whether your physician's office sells magnets for magnet therapy; while most allopathic doctor's offices will not carry magnets due to their unproven efficacy for treating ailments, some naturopathic and holistic doctor's offices do sell them. Purchasing directly from your doctor lets you feel confident that you're getting a reputable product without having to wade through dozens of unsubstantiated claims and bogus ads from fad products.
Step 4
Try using the magnet consistently for a couple of weeks. Wear or place it as close to your skin as possible. According to the NCCAM, the majority of magnet users that report benefits experienced those benefits quickly. It also suggests returning the magnets if you haven't seen results within a couple of weeks.
