4. Discussion
In this study, we explored the effects of 3.5 GHz, representing one of the earliest exploited 5G bands, via the EEG of healthy human volunteers. Thirty-four participants took part in two triple-blinded, “real” and “sham” exposure sessions. The latter were randomised and counterbalanced in a wake-rested state, where the brain activity was recorded in the EO and EC conditions. Each session contained a baseline recording period to correct the subsequent exposure and post-exposure acquisition phases. The frequency used was pulse-modulated to simulate far-field antenna exposures within public regulation limits [Statistical analysis with repeated-measures ANOVA showed no significant changes in the EEG waves in the subjects exposed to the 5G signal, except for a few electrodes in the alpha and beta oscillations, as mentioned in As far as we know, this project is the first pilot study tackling the effects of low-band 5G frequencies on human brain activity. Hence, comparing our outcomes to other 5G studies is not currently possible. On the other hand, because the overall electrodes demonstrated non-significant modulation in the analysed brain waves, we cannot conclude that 3.5 GHz can change EEG profiles. However, our previous investigation of 2G GSM (The Global System for Mobile Communications) signals (900 MHz) revealed a significant decrease in alpha activity during and after exposure in the EC condition [Similarly to our 5G findings, the authors of other studies investigating higher RF (3G, 4G, and Wi-Fi) effects on healthy waking human EEG have found no significant change in the explored cerebral waves due to exposure [We only included healthy young volunteers. Introducing all age ranges would provide a better representation of the exposed population to explore the age factor as studied elsewhere [In addition to the 5G effect, the EEG signals showed a significant outstanding difference between the EO and EC status in all the studied spectra, confirming the literature findings regarding the eye condition influence on EEG activity even in restful environments [