No thanks, Apple. Why I Stopped Using AirPods

I’m Brandon Wilson. I am continually working to improve my mind, body, and spirit through the use of various ancient techniques and cutting-edge biohacking tools and devices. I want to be healthy, but not at the expense of being happy. This simple idea is what it means to be wellthy.

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Last week, Apple revealed its fall updates, including iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro/Max, Apple Watch 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and AirPods Pro 3. Maybe Apple should change its name to EMFs ‘R Us.

Don’t get me wrong—I am #TeamApple. I shared my history with Apple and its devices in this Medium story. I’m certainly not anti-technology, but I am much more aware of the potential risks associated with electromagnetic frequency (EMF) radiation. While the AirPods Pro 2 are the best earpods I have used in terms of features and functionality, I stopped using them years ago after learning about potential risks.

In 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (a subgroup of the World Health Organization) classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans.¹ In the book EMFWiFi5G, WiFi, & Cell Phones: Hidden Harms and How to Protect Yourself published in 2021, Dr. Joseph Mercola provided an appendix with references to 158 studies linking EMFs to cellular DNA damage, reduced fertility, neurological/neuropsychiatric effects, cell death, oxidative stress/free radical damage, hormonal effects, calcium signaling, and cancer.

On the flip side, you can search PubMed or use ChatGPT and find review articles that suggest there is no statistical link between EMFs and adverse health outcomes. How should we proceed with so much conflicting information?

My strategy is to use the precautionary principle:

When an action or policy has a suspected risk of causing harm to people or the environment, and there isn’t yet a scientific consensus, precautionary measures should be taken to reduce risk.

Apple AirPods utilize Bluetooth, a specification developed in 1999. The widespread adoption of consumer Bluetooth devices began in 2003. Bluetooth sits in the same 2.4 GHz band ias WiFi (802.11b/g/n), cordless/mobile phones, baby monitors, and microwave ovens. Here is a comparison of the relative power of devices.

• Bluetooth earbuds/headsets operate at 1–10 mW. Bluetooth is a very low-power technology, but it often operates in close proximity, with longer exposure.

• WiFi is typically 10 to 100 times stronger than Bluetooth in terms of transmit power, but it is usually farther away from the body.

• Mobile phones are hundreds of times stronger than Bluetooth and are used right next to the head/body.

The inverse square law states that the intensity of electromagnetic radiation from a point source decreases with the square of the distance from the source.

• At a distance of 0.5 inches (≈1 cm) from a device, the intensity is 100% (baseline).

• At 1 inch (2.5 cm), intensity drops to 1/4 = 25%.

• At 4 inches (≈10 cm), intensity is 1/16 = 6.25% of baseline.

• At 10 inches (≈25 cm), intensity is 1/400 = 0.25% of baseline.

Why am I no longer using AirPods? AirPods are stuffed into your ears and have to stay in sync with each other by sending a signal that passes directly through the brain. Although this EMF radiation is considered non-ionizing, prolonged exposure does not seem advisable. AirPods have only been around for nine years. How can anyone claim safety without long-term data? One study published last year in Nature found a correlation between prolonged use of Bluetooth headsets and increased risk of thyroid nodules.² Paul Saladino agrees.

There is a price to pay for modern conveniences. It is challenging for us to avoid EMF exposure in the modern world, but we can take steps to reduce exposure and risk.

Tips to Minimize EMF Exposure

• When it comes to EMF, distance is your friend. Pay particular attention to devices you keep on or very close to your body. Use airplane mode for electronics near or on your body.

• Use wired earbuds/headphones. DefenderShield offers EMF radiation-free earbuds and over-ear headphones.

• If you must go with a wireless headset, choose one that is connected rather than separate earbuds. Per Club Member Steve’s recommendation, I use SHOKZ bone conduction headphones.

• Consider a phone case that offers protection from EMF radiation. I use one from SafeSleeve. Use a laptop actually on your lap? SafeSleeve has protection for that, too.

• Dr. Mercola suggests eliminating WiFi and using wired Ethernet connections exclusively, but let’s face it, you’re not going to do that. In your living space, keep as much distance as possible between you and the WiFi router. Consider the Signal Tamer RF-shielding cloth for your router to reduce EMF.

• Avoid using any electronic devices that are plugged in and charging. Ideally, you want a grounded charging cord (3-prong) or use a grounded plug, such as the SafeCharger from the Shielded Shop.

• Avoid wearing metal-framed glasses, which have the potential to amplify microwave radiation.³

• Most baby monitors are a significant source of RF radiation. Use a hard-wired or low-EMF one, and keep them far away from the crib.

• It’s time to get rid of those cordless phones if you still have one. They are among the highest EMF producers, even when not being used.

For the most significant benefit, focus on the devices you keep close and use most frequently, and make your bedroom as EMF-free as possible.

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The Daily Habit is where I share my habits related to the fundamentals: sleep, diet, physical activity, mindfulness, and stress management.

Club Member Scott S. turns off his circuit breakers every night to eliminate all possible EMF exposure. I don’t go that far, but I do have my WiFi modem plugged into a timer that turns it off every night. This is a simple set-it-and-forget-it solution that supports proper sleep and regeneration.

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Last week’s answer

Be Wellthy Club entrants: Ariel E., Scott S., Veronica C., Renata B.

Raffle prizes are exclusive to Be Wellthy Club Members. Club members can email bewellthy@substack.com with the correct answer to each week’s brain training and be entered into a monthly raffle to win one of two prize packages every month. I do respond to every email.

This week:

How many ways can you read SPICE off the diagram using letters that touch each other? Hint: It’s more than 50.

See the answer.

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Last year, I wrote about some biohacking gadgets I was testing. I used the NeuroVizr this morning, and I continue to use the Rapid Release device to help alleviate muscle stiffness/soreness.

Pass along the gift of health—share this newsletter with someone you care about who would benefit from this information.

1. https://www.iarc.who.int/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/pr208_E.pdf

2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11192738/

3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2601437/