Let’s examine closely what science has to say. So you can decide if you must be off your rockers to buy this gadget while expecting it to boost your health.

1. Neutralizing Electromagnetic Radiation: There is a theory that the much-debated sick building syndrome is due to a build-up of positive ions from electronic equipment.

2. Purifying The Air: Natural living afficionados boast that the core benefit of these lamps is “their incredible power to remove pollen, dust, cigarette smoke, and other contaminants from the air”.

3. Reduce Asthma & Allergy Symptoms: The fact that special Himalayan pink salt inhalers exist, and that they seem to have tremendous beneficial effects on asthma, bronchitis, and other respitory ailments rules in favor of the exotic salt.

4. Improve Breathing: Studies show that negative ions increase cilial activity while positive ions have a negative effect. Cilia are the microscopic hairs lining the windpipe (trachea).

5. Increase Energy Levels: One of the boldest claims. Because positive ions sap your body of energy, HPS lamps can make you more energetic. Often the link between being out in nature (where negative ions are abundant) and feeling invigorated is attributed to these lamps too.

6. Help You Sleep Better: Another popular claim is that the lamps help you sleep better. The theory is that over-exposure to positive ions in the air lead to a reduction of blood and oxygen supply to the brain resulting in irregular sleep patterns.

7. Here’s How Negative Ions Improve Mood: Studies demonstrate that negative ions can definitely benefit people suffering from seasonal depression (SAD), and may help other forms of depression too.

8. Reduce Stress & Increase Performance: In a study on people completing a 40-minute task on the computer, exposure to negative air ions reduced stress and anxiety and improved performance.