By Dr. Nevena Zubcevik
Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer, ElectroTherapeutics, Inc. (ETC)
Our bodies are electric by nature, with every heartbeat, thought, and movement powered by intricate bioelectric signals. Each of our trillions of cells maintains a precise voltage potential across its membrane, typically ranging from -40 to -80 millivolts in healthy tissue. Yet in the modern world, this natural balance is under constant strain. At ETC, we believe that unlocking the secrets of the body’s electrome—the complex network of cellular voltages and electrical flows—is key to advancing health and healing (Funk et al., 2009).
During my years as faculty and investigator at Harvard Medical School’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, I witnessed the power of neuromodulation therapies to restore function and transform lives. From patients with treatment-resistant depression finding relief through targeted electrical stimulation to individuals with chronic pain regaining mobility, these experiences cemented my conviction that bioelectric medicine is not just a promising field—it is a critical frontier in reimagining how we treat disease (Zubcevik et al., 2020).
Ocean diving provides natural bioelectric harmonization through negative ions and electromagnetic fields that support cellular health.
The natural environment provides us with positive electrical factors—as a free diver, I cherish the ionizing benefits of the ocean—that support our bioelectric balance. Research highlights
the therapeutic effects of ocean exposure, showing it enhances well-being and reduces oxidative stress (Twohig-Bennett & Jones, 2018). The ocean’s negative ions and natural electromagnetic fields can help restore cellular voltage potentials and reduce inflammatory markers. Yet today, these beneficial influences are increasingly disrupted by artificial electromagnetic fields and environmental changes. The National Cancer Institute warns of potential effects on biological processes from electromagnetic fields (National Cancer Institute, 2022).
Our research indicates that chronic exposure to artificial EMFs can depolarize cellular membranes by as much as 20%, leading to dysregulated calcium channels and oxidative stress. This bioelectric pollution contributes to a range of modern health challenges, from sleep disorders to metabolic dysfunction. Future bioelectric therapies may include personal electromagnetic shields or harmonization devices that neutralize harmful frequencies while amplifying beneficial ones.
Protecting and optimizing the body’s electrome is essential for cellular health and whole-body wellness. At ElectroTherapeutics, Inc., we focus on discovery and therapeutics to secure the most optimal operation of the body’s electrical systems, developing targeted interventions that can restore healthy bioelectric patterns at the cellular and tissue level (Pall, 2013).
Natural ocean environment (left) with negative ions (−2,000 cm−3) maintains healthy cellular membrane potential at −70 mV. Urban EMF exposure (right, 1 V/m) causes 20% depolarization to −56 mV, increasing oxidative stress. Scale bar: 10 µm.
To quote our visionary CEO Ken Mayer:
“The Electrome is the future of medicine. By homing in on the root cause of disease—disruptions in cellular signaling rooted in the electrome—we are poised to build the next major innovation in healthcare.”
At ETC, we are developing a therapy discovery engine that combines wet-lab studies of cells and bacteria with AI models and digital twin simulations. This unique approach enables us to map and modulate the bioelectric landscape of the human body, creating interventions for wound healing, brain health, and more. Our platform will be able to simulate millions of bioelectric scenarios in silico before validating the most promising approaches in biological systems. Together, we are shaping a new paradigm for health, built on the power of the body’s electrome.
References:
Funk, R. H., Monsees, T., & O¨zkucur, N. (2009). Electromagnetic effects–From cell biology to medicine. Progress in Histochemistry and Cytochemistry, 43(4), 177-264. https://pubmed.ncbi.nl m.nih.gov/19167986/
National Cancer Institute. (2022). Electromagnetic fields and cancer. https://www.cancer.gov/a bout-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/radiation/electromagnetic-fields-fact-sheet
Pall, M. L. (2013). Electromagnetic fields act via activation of voltage-gated calcium channels to produce beneficial or adverse effects. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, 17(8), 958-965. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcmm.12088
Twohig-Bennett, C., & Jones, A. (2018). The health benefits of the great outdoors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of greenspace exposure and health outcomes. Environmental Research, 166, 628-637. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29982151/
Howell, S. (2025). Biomarkers for concussion: Current insights and future directions. Psychiatric Times. https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/biomarkers-for-concussion-current-insights-and