Is Your Cell Phone Stimulating Your Brain?



Chad Dalton
Picture by Julie Scohy

 When people are approached with the concept of cell phones activating the brain with weak radio-frequency signals, the reaction is mostly passive. Chad Dalton of Denver said, “I hope this stimulation makes me smarter.” Chad is unaware that this abnormal brain activity could possibly lead to health risks. New research has brought to attention that cell phone usage has effects on the brain, that are possibly, but not officially linked to the development of brain tumors. Read more.

The Research and Study: Research shows that increased brain activity has been proven when using a cell phone. Studies were conducted using a positron emission tomography (PET) scan to test the effects of cell phone usage. A cell phone that was turned off was placed by one ear, and a second cell phone, using the muted setting, was placed by the other ear. The mute setting was to ensure the brain was active because of sound. The PET scan showed heightened brain activity near the antenna of the phone that was on a muted call. This abnormal brain activity could lead to rare brain tumors. Though the research is in its preliminary stages, it is still a possibility that cell phone use over time could be detrimental to a person’s health.

The Public Awarness: When asked if people use a headset to accompany their cell phone, most people do not use them. People who used their phone for business purposes were the ones that used headsets, since it provides hands free convenience. This became an interesting question when proposing the idea that using a cell phone without a headset could increase brain activity in the area closest to the antenna, in turn potentially creating rare brain tumors.
The Public Reaction: When explaining this research data to subjects on the street, the most common reaction was only slight concern regarding the possibility of health risks. “I have used a cell phone so much over the last ten years, I think I would have noticed effects by now, if there were any,” said Michelle Lee, a mother of two in Denver. This reflects the general reaction of skepticism shared by cell phone users since there has not been an up rise of concern across the country. The low key status of the research that cell phones overtime are harmful to our health made it less of an alarming concept to the general public. Dave Meek, a college student of Denver, said, “I would want to talk to someone with a brain tumor and see what cell phone they used.” The research does not state that it is any certain cellular company or specific phone model that has anything to do with abnormal brain activity. The cause is radio waves transferred by cell phone use in general.However, when offering the idea that a headset would deter the effects, Bill Collins, a father and husband of Denver said, “I would buy a headset for my wife and kids!” People who were already using headsets regularly were relieved to find out they were not at risk. Going to a movie, the screen tells you to turn off your phone.  A bus passing buy displays an advertisement for the I-phone 4G. Cell phones are a technology that is becoming more and more advanced every day. It is becoming more acceptable and even expected to see young children and elderly people owning these portable devices. It is not a mechanism that will become outdated any time soon. However, with more development of the research that cell phones can be detrimental to our health, more people might consider buying headsets as preventative measures.