This, like crystals, is a favourite of holistic health practitioners, homeopaths and hippies. Electric smog is meant to refer to the electrical and magnetic fields thrown out by the electrical appliances in our homes.

It is believed, in certain quarters, that these can interfere with the natural electrical activity of the body and cause anything from leukaemia to cancer to depression. However, those who are pregnant are recommended to avoid microwaves and numerous studies have found mobile phones to be damaging.