5G wireless radiation linked to altered brain waves during sleep

A recent study published in NeuroImage found that individuals with specific gene variants who are exposed to 5G frequencies experienced changes in their brain wave activity — measured via an EEG — during sleep.

In short:

• For some individuals, pre-sleep exposure to the 5G frequency of 3.6 GHz was linked to changes in their brain wave readings during the non-rapid eye movement phase of sleep.
• This change was observed only in individuals with a specific gene variation related to calcium channels in cells, which are critical for essentially all brain functions.
• These findings suggest that genetics may play a role in determining whether individuals are predisposed to experience health impacts from exposure to wireless radiation.
• Because the study only assessed the effects of a one-time exposure, the authors state that the cumulative effects of long-term exposure could have different implications for sleep and neural activity.

_{^{Image: Fig. 1 in “5G radio-frequency-electromagnetic-field effects on the human sleep electroencephalogram: A randomized controlled study in CACNA1C genotyped volunteers” by Sousouri et al. (2025) documenting how the exposure did not exceed ICNIRP limits. Top row: simulated Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) cross-sections at 700 MHz and 1 Watt conducted input power. Bottom row: simulated SAR cross-sections at 3.6 GHz and 1 Watt conducted input power. The color bar (30 colors) indicates the SAR in dB scale −30 to 0 dB with reference to 2.5 W/kg.}}

Key quote:

“Overall, our results provide new insights into the genetic and biophysical factors underlying RF-EMF effects on sleep, emphasizing the need for more targeted studies to elucidate these mechanisms.”

Why this matters:

All wireless devices, including cell phones, WiFi routers and the towers they depend on for service, emit wireless radiofrequency (RF) radiation. The wireless revolution has led to the rapid deployment of new technologies — like 5G and the upcoming 6G frequencies — that significantly increase exposure to wireless RF radiation. New technologies such as 5G are not subjected to premarket safety tests for human health impacts, and the U.S. regulations that address exposures have remained unchanged since 1996, over 20 years before 5G technology was launched. International scientists and doctors have called for caution in the deployment of new wireless radiation frequencies, arguing that there should be a freeze on the rollout of new frequencies until potential hazards for human health and the environment have been fully investigated by scientists independent from industry.

Related EHN coverage:

• New study shows insects highly absorb 5G frequencies
• New research links 5G rural uploads to higher radiation levels
• Wireless radiation from baby monitors significantly disrupts sleep, study finds

More resources:

• Doctors and Scientists on Cell Phone Radiation
• Are Cell Towers Safe?

Sousouri, Georgia et al. for NeuroImage vol. 312. Aug 15, 2025