Crystal healing is an alternative therapy that utilizes semiprecious stones and crystals to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Practitioners believe crystals possess unique energetic vibrations that can help clear energy blockages, restore balance, and encourage healing. While some cultures and individuals find these practices beneficial, the scientific community generally views crystal healing as pseudoscientific, with successes often attributed to the placebo effect
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What it is:Crystal healing involves placing crystals on or near the body, or creating crystal grids within the environment, to promote healing.
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How it’s believed to work:Practitioners believe that crystals have specific vibrational frequencies that interact with the body’s energy field, promoting positive energy flow and clearing blockages.
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Popular crystals:Some popular crystals used in healing include amethyst, rose quartz, citrine, and turquoise, among others.
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Benefits:Supporters claim that crystal healing can help with stress relief, emotional healing, pain management, and even physical ailments.
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Scientific view:The scientific community does not have strong evidence to support the claims made by proponents of crystal healing. Many attribute any perceived benefits to the placebo effect.
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Alternative medicine:Crystal healing is considered a type of alternative or complementary medicine, meaning it’s not part of conventional medical treatment
Why use healing crystals?
There are several different types of crystals. Some people believe they have healing abilities for the mind, body, and soul.
Many ancient cultures — including ones in Egypt, Greece, and China — believed that crystals have healing properties.
Some people claim that crystals promote the flow of good energy and help rid your body and mind of negative energy for physical and emotional benefits. They believe certain crystals benefit your sleep, help you manifest your desires, and add an additional healing element to reiki.
But it’s important to note that almost no scientific evidence supports the use of crystals or other forms of energy healing.
Crystals have largely been dismissed as pseudoscience, although some studies suggest they may offer a placebo effect.
An older study presented at conferences in 1999 and 2001 but not published in a peer-reviewed journal suggested that any healing benefits associated with crystals were most likely a result of the power of suggestion.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) notes that complementary health practices such as mindfulness and meditation can promoteTrusted Source relaxation and may provide other benefits to people experiencing anxiety and depression and those managing symptoms related to a chronic condition. You may reap some of those same benefits depending on how you use crystals.
Still, some people believe it goes deeper than that.
“Crystals are made up of different elements or compounds, which our bodies react to in different ways,” says Sonali Saujani, a crystal master healer. “Crystals are minerals that hold energy, and as we as humans are made up of energy, we can exchange energy with the crystal when we work with it.”
Saujani points out that crystals are used to improve the function of many everyday objects, like watches, plugs, hospital equipment, and lasers.
She cites a 2008 study that states that “quartz can act as a flint to start a fire or generate electricity.”
“If a crystal can be piezoelectric [contain electric charge], I am sure it can do so much more. They balance out electric currents and keep equipment from exploding,” says Saunjani. “In the same way, when it comes to crystals and our body, all they’re doing is balancing out the frequency of the electromagnetic currents in our body.”
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