What is the effect of alarmist media and radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure on salivary cortisol and non-specific symptoms?

While there is consistent evidence that the symptoms reported by people who experience Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance attributed to Electromagnetic Fields (IEI-EMF) are closely associated with a nocebo effect, and that alarmist media reports may contribute to this nocebo effect, some methodological criticisms remain to be resolved. This study aimed to replicate previous findings and determine whether viewing an alarmist media report and being openly exposed to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) could induce a salivary cortisol response. A total of 144 participants were randomly assigned to watch either an alarmist or control video before completing an open-label provocation trial where they were either exposed or not exposed to RF-EMF. Personality factors, RF-EMF risk perception (pre- and post-video), symptoms and salivary cortisol were assessed. Consistent with previous studies, participants who were aware that they were being exposed had increased symptoms compared to participants who were aware they were not being exposed. However, the current study failed to replicate an effect of viewing an alarmist media report and being openly exposed to RF-EMF on symptoms and failed to identify an effect on salivary cortisol. This suggests that awareness and belief of exposure play a more important role in symptom perception than underlying physiological processes.