What are the symptoms of WIFI sickness?

September 21, 2025 •

3 min read

The World Health Organization has noted that individuals report a variety of non-specific symptoms they attribute to electromagnetic fields (EMF), a phenomenon known as electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS). So, what are the symptoms of WIFI sickness and what does the science actually say about this controversial condition?

Quick Summary

The symptoms reported by individuals who believe they have 'Wi-Fi sickness' include headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and skin problems; however, scientific evidence does not support a causal link to EMF exposure, and symptoms are often attributed to other factors like stress or anxiety.

Key Points

Symptom Reality: Individuals who believe they have 'Wi-Fi sickness' report a wide range of real and distressing symptoms, including headaches, fatigue, and skin problems.
No Proven Causal Link: Decades of controlled, double-blind scientific studies have found no evidence linking Wi-Fi or other electromagnetic fields (EMF) to these reported symptoms.
The Nocebo Effect: The negative expectations associated with EMF exposure can trigger real physical symptoms, a psychological phenomenon known as the nocebo effect.
Not a Medical Diagnosis: Major health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), do not recognize EHS as a formal medical diagnosis but acknowledge that the associated symptoms are real.
Focus on Symptom Management: Treatment recommendations focus on managing the symptoms themselves and addressing potential underlying medical, psychological, or environmental factors rather than eliminating EMF exposure.
Alternative Explanations: Symptoms can overlap with other conditions like anxiety, stress, or multiple chemical sensitivity, and may be influenced by factors like poor air quality or lighting.

Understanding the Reported Symptoms of EHS

Individuals who believe they have electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS), sometimes referred to as 'Wi-Fi sickness,' report a range of real and often distressing symptoms. These non-specific health complaints are associated by sufferers with exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) from devices like Wi-Fi routers and cell phones. Symptoms vary and can involve both physical and cognitive issues.

Common physical complaints

Reported physical symptoms often include dermatological issues (such as redness or tingling), headaches, fatigue, dizziness, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), heart palpitations, musculoskeletal pain, and nausea.

Reported cognitive and mood-related issues

Cognitive and psychological effects described by individuals can include difficulties with memory and concentration, confusion, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances.

The Scientific Perspective on EHS and Wi-Fi

Despite the reality of the symptoms reported by those with EHS, controlled scientific studies have not found a direct causal link between Wi-Fi or other EMF exposure and these health issues. Double-blind experiments have shown no correlation between actual EMF exposure and the onset of symptoms, with many participants reporting symptoms even during sham exposure.

This is often attributed to the nocebo effect, where negative expectations about a harmless stimulus lead to real physical symptoms. Studies suggest that simply believing one is exposed to EMF can trigger symptoms, a phenomenon potentially exacerbated by media reports and online information.

Official health organization stance

Organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledge the symptoms but state there is no scientific basis linking them directly to EMF exposure. The WHO often uses the term Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF) to describe the condition, emphasizing the unexplained nature of the symptoms. They recommend focusing on treating the individual's symptoms and clinical picture.

Factors Contributing to Environmental Intolerance

Researchers exploring the reported symptoms look at factors other than Wi-Fi, given the lack of scientific evidence for an EMF link. These can include a person's overall health and various environmental influences.

Overlapping conditions

EHS symptoms can overlap with other sensitivities like multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), functional somatic syndromes (FSS), and pre-existing psychiatric conditions such as anxiety disorders.

Environmental stressors

Factors in the environment like poor indoor air quality, flickering lights, noise, and stress at home or work are potential contributors to symptoms associated with EHS. Addressing these known stressors can help manage symptoms.

Table: Comparing EHS Attributed Symptoms and Other Stressors


Symptom	Attributed to EHS (Perceived)	Associated with Other Stressors/Conditions
Headaches	Triggered by Wi-Fi or electronics	Eye strain, poor ergonomics, anxiety, stress, dehydration, poor air quality
Fatigue	General tiredness from EMF exposure	Poor sleep hygiene, stress, anxiety, underlying medical conditions like anemia or thyroid issues
Concentration issues	Brain fog from Wi-Fi	Anxiety, stress, lack of sleep, poor indoor air quality, poor diet
Skin irritation	Tingling or burning from EMF	Dry air, chemical sensitivities, pre-existing skin conditions, anxiety
Sleep disturbance	Insomnia caused by EMF at night	Stress, anxiety, poor sleep hygiene (e.g., using screens late), environmental noise
Anxiety/Mood Swings	Heightened anxiety near electronics	Pre-existing mental health conditions, stress, worry about health, situational factors

Managing Symptoms and Reducing Worry

Managing symptoms attributed to Wi-Fi sickness involves practical, evidence-based approaches focused on overall health and well-being, rather than solely on reducing EMF exposure, as the symptoms are not directly caused by EMF.

Practical mitigation steps

Strategies include reducing reliance on wireless devices by using wired connections, optimizing the living environment (improving air quality, lighting, reducing noise), practicing good sleep hygiene, seeking psychological support like CBT for health anxieties, and focusing on general wellness through diet, exercise, and stress management.

For more information from a leading public health authority, you can review the World Health Organization's fact sheet on electromagnetic hypersensitivity: World Health Organization: Electromagnetic hypersensitivity.

Conclusion: Focus on Management, Not Fear

While individuals reporting 'Wi-Fi sickness' experience genuine symptoms, scientific consensus indicates these are not caused by Wi-Fi's electromagnetic fields. Managing these symptoms is best achieved by focusing on general health, stress, anxiety, and other environmental factors. Working with healthcare providers to address underlying causes is the recommended approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, major health bodies like the World Health Organization do not recognize 'Wi-Fi sickness' or electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) as a formal medical diagnosis, as scientific studies have not found a causal link between electromagnetic fields (EMF) and the reported symptoms.

Commonly reported symptoms include headaches, chronic fatigue, dizziness, concentration problems, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and dermatological issues like burning or tingling sensations.

The symptoms are genuinely experienced but may be caused by other factors, such as the nocebo effect (where belief in harm causes real symptoms), stress, anxiety, underlying medical conditions, or other environmental stressors like poor air quality.

Yes, it is well-documented that psychological factors like anxiety and stress can trigger or exacerbate very real and physical symptoms. The mind and body are intricately linked.

Since scientific evidence does not link Wi-Fi exposure to the symptoms, getting rid of your router is not necessary based on current knowledge. However, some individuals report feeling better when reducing wireless usage, often due to a placebo or nocebo effect related to their expectations.

Focus on evidence-based strategies to improve your overall wellness. This can include stress management techniques, improving sleep hygiene, a healthy diet, regular exercise, and addressing other environmental factors. Consulting a medical or mental health professional is also advisable.

Yes, according to numerous health agencies, the electromagnetic field (EMF) levels from a typical home router are thousands of times below international safety limits and are not harmful to health. For peace of mind, you can place the router further away from your bed.