Holding Iron Metal During a Seizure Does NOT Stop Seizure Activity
No, holding a piece of iron or any metal object cannot instantly stop a seizure, and this is a dangerous myth that must be dispelled. 1, 2
Why This Myth is Harmful
The belief that metal objects can stop seizures is completely unfounded in medical science and represents one of several persistent epilepsy myths that continue to circulate despite clear evidence to the contrary. 2
What Actually Happens During a Seizure
- Seizures are caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain that cannot be interrupted by external physical objects or materials held in the hand. 3
- Most seizures are self-limited and resolve spontaneously within 1-2 minutes without any intervention. 1
- Seizures lasting more than 5 minutes are unlikely to stop on their own and require emergency medical treatment with anticonvulsant medications, not physical objects. 1, 3
The Actual Role of Iron in Epilepsy
Ironically, iron plays a harmful role in seizure disorders, not a therapeutic one:
- Iron accumulation in the brain leads to formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), which can cause ferroptosis and contribute to epileptogenesis (the development of epilepsy). 4
- Cortical iron injection in animal models actually causes chronic recurrent seizures and epileptiform discharges, demonstrating that iron promotes seizure activity rather than stopping it. 5
- High serum ferritin levels are associated with poor outcomes after intracerebral hemorrhage and correlate with brain edema. 6
- Iron chelation therapy (removing iron from the body) is being investigated as a potential treatment to reduce seizure-related brain damage, which is the opposite of adding iron. 6
What You Should Actually Do During a Seizure
Immediate Protective Actions
- Help the person to the ground immediately to prevent fall-related injuries, which are a major source of morbidity in seizure patients. 1
- Place the person on their side in the recovery position to reduce aspiration risk if vomiting occurs. 1
- Clear the area of any objects that could cause injury during seizure movements. 1
- Stay with the person throughout the entire episode to monitor for complications. 1
Critical Actions to AVOID
- Never restrain the person during seizure movements, as this can cause musculoskeletal injuries and does not stop seizure activity. 1
- Never put anything in the mouth (including fingers, bite blocks, tongue blades, spoons, or metal objects), as this can cause dental trauma, airway obstruction, or injury to the rescuer. 1, 2
- Never give food, liquids, or oral medicines during a seizure or when consciousness is impaired due to aspiration risk. 1
When to Call Emergency Services
- Seizure lasting more than 5 minutes requires immediate emergency medical intervention with anticonvulsant medications. 1, 3
- First-time seizure requires evaluation for underlying causes. 1
- Multiple seizures without return to baseline mental status between episodes. 1
- Seizure with traumatic injury (head injury, significant bleeding, suspected fractures). 1, 7
Common Pitfalls
The myth that objects (metal or otherwise) can stop seizures is part of a broader pattern of epilepsy misconceptions perpetuated by media portrayals. 2 People who have personal knowledge of someone with epilepsy are significantly less likely to believe these myths. 2 The consequences of uncontrolled seizures are severe, including shortened lifespan, excessive bodily injury, neuropsychological impairment, and social disability. 8 Therefore, proper seizure management—not folk remedies involving metal objects—is essential for patient safety and outcomes.