In a previous post on this blog, I discussed one of the main texts about crystal healing --- Melody's Love is In the Earth --- and showed that some of the advice presented there was actually dangerous.
Today, I'll discuss the evidence against crystal healing.
Crystal healers allege that crystals have "energy" that can be sensed. They report sensations such as warmth or tingling when a crystal is held in the hand, and that crystals can interact with energy in the body, with resultant medical effects. For example, this web page qujotes Marcel Vogel as saying "The crystal is a neutral object whose inner structure exhibits a state of perfection and balance. … Like a laser, it radiates energy in a coherent, highly concentrated form, and this energy may be transmitted into objects or people at will. … With proper training, a healer using a crystal can release negative thoughtforms which have taken shape as disease patterns."
Is there any actual evidence for this view? Although crystal healers like to call their practice "scientific", they never cite any controlled scientific studies supporting their claims. (Indeed, Melody reports that many of her claims were "channeled".)
The only scientific studies I have been able to find on the topic of crystal healing are by Christopher French and his colleagues at Goldsmiths College, University of London. These studies do not seem to be available on the web, although there is a news article here. Since they do not seem to be well known, I summarize the results here.
In a 1999 paper presented at the Sixth European Congress of Psychology in Rome, French and Lynn Williams gave a paper entitled "Crystal clear: paranormal powers, placebo, or priming?" In this paper they explored the possibility that the sensations that crystal practitioners report may be due, in part, to "priming"; that is, expecting certain sensations after being told or reading about them in reference books. They used 80 volunteers, half of which were male. The volunteers included customers from a New Age store, as well as undergraduates and non-students. Participants were given either a natural quartz crystal to hold, or a fake crystal made of glass. They were asked to report sensations such as tingling, heat, relaxation, and mood change. Those who had been "primed" to expect certain sensations reported these sensations more frequently (p = .008) than those who had not been primed. However, there was no difference in effects reported between those who handled the real crystal and those who handled the fake crystal.
French repeated the study with Hayley O'Donnell and Williams in a paper presented to the British Psychological Society Centary Annual Conference in Glasgow in 2001. Part of the motivation for the replication was that the original study was not double-blind, as the experimenter (Wiliams) was aware of which crystals were real and fake. The 2001 study was double-blind. This time, the "priming" did not have a significant effect, but once again, there was no difference in effects reported between real and fake crystals. The study concludes "...the fact that the same effects were found with both genuine and fake crystals undermines any claims that crystals have the mysterious powers which they are claimed to have. Instead, the power of suggestion, either explicit or implicit, seems to be the not-so-mysterious power that may convince many that crystals have the potential to work miracles".
I doubt these studies will convince crystal healers, any more than Emily Rosa's debunking of therapeutic touch has affected that practice.
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78 comments:
Pat these are my thoughts also, the devil wants to destroy the world by destroying the people, and thus Gods creation, but without people to do good there will be no creative force, because the Lord is where creation and creativity happens. Satan uses Gods creations, and tries to pervert it into his evil desires. Praise the Lord for Jesus Christ has been sacrificed for our sins, and that we maybe wholly good.
There's only one thing more pathetic than crystal healing, and that's seeing a theist try to argue against crystal healing using religion as a tool.
I'm REALLY new to the whole crystal thing... just looking things up out of curiosity. However, the experiment mentioned above strikes me as inherently faulty, given that a primary ingredient in glass IS quartz. I'm pretty neutral on the subject, but it seems to me that if you were proposing that quartz did or did not have "abilities", you'd want to eliminate it entirely from one side of the equation...?
Glass is silicon dioxide, but it is misleading to say it is quartz. Quartz has a crystal structure, whereas glass is amorphous. Crystal healers claim that ordinary glass would not have the same healing properties as a quartz crystal, so it is this claim that is being tested.
When I hold or wear a quartz crystal for 10 minutes I feel an unmistakable sensation that is akin to "energy" or "electricity". Maybe it does something. I doubt it is autosuggestion because the effects are very very powerful and sometimes I don't even focus on it, first I feel the sensation and then I realize it was the Crystal. I can get dizzy sometimes or feel lightheaded. Tactile sensations are powerful to the point of slight pain.
I am searching for a good explanation on the web but all I get is new age crystal book I already know all they say and nothing on the scientific side. Seems weird to me because for me the effects of quartz are clear as daylight.
Yerba Man, your description is completely consistent with autosuggestion.
In tests, even crystal healers could not distinguish between a genuine quartz crystal and a fake made of glass. If you can do so reliably, every materials scientist in the world would be interested.
New Age Shop customers, students and the like may not be the best subjects out there. Then again, it is difficult to identify which are suitable, as claiming to be an expert in a yet-to-be-scientifically-proven ART (not Science) such as crystal healing does not automatically make one an expert. One doesn't also become a skilled practitioner by just buying a crystal and bringing it home to play with it.
I am a crystal user, and am incorporating its energies in my reiki practice. I cannot say for sure how effective it is, as they were not done under proper controlled conditions, but I have through empirical observations, noted an improvement in the healing time that takes place. One could argue that it's placebo...so be it. "It is all in the mind", as my skeptic friend would say, is the precise description of what goes on in these healings. Without a good visualisation technique and skill, a quartz which is to serve as a catalyst would turn out to be just as useful (or useless) as a nice piece of rock. Even the placebos of conventional medicine isn't of much help to my skeptic friend who often falls ill. I have found the "placebo" of crystal healing to keep me free from illness...so far at least.
I have no evidence (yet) for the validity of crystal healing, but I believe it's energies, inherent or focused from elsewhere to be rather real. And again, it takes some time between 30 to 60 days before a crystal user would be able to tap into its energies. At least that is what I have found to be true first hand through 2 separate quartz crystals, before reading it somewhere...thus confirming my suspicion to be true and void of placebos or autosuggestions.
To give a clearer picture, my current crystal took me about 60 days of familiarisation, after which I would always feel drowsy when holding it. This was the same experience with the previous crystal (after 30 days), and this sedative effect has been claimed by another crystal user somewhere else as well. Bear in mind, these are not scientific evidence that there is energy, just observations that bring us a step closer to the much-maligned art of crystal healing.
Who would have thought centuries ago, that laser could be emitted from a simple ruby rod crystal before Theodore Maiman discovered it in the 1960s?
That said, we could be pioneers in this field, no matter how amateur or flawed our experiments may be...
I thank God and Goddess that your ignorance blinds you from truly knowing. I'm definetly not gonna tell you the truth.
Devon wrote: "it takes some time between 30 to 60 days before a crystal user would be able to tap into its energies. At least that is what I have found to be true first hand through 2 separate quartz crystals, before reading it somewhere...thus confirming my suspicion to be true and void of placebos or autosuggestions."
Actually, this doesn't necessarily follow. It could just as easily be that 30 to 60 days is the average time it takes to condition your mind to a crystal. That is to say, the more you "use" a crystal, the more effective it becomes as a stimulator of autosuggestion.
That said, if you've placebo'd yourself into good health, don't let me put you off. Long may you remain so.
There is much that exists beyond the visible spectrum of light, and beyond the five senses. Not being able to prove the existence of something does not disprove its existence. Much is yet to be discovered. You would do better to discover it by looking outside your narrow frame of reference.
There is much that exists beyond the visible spectrum of light, and beyond the five senses.
Medicine already uses concepts "beyond the visible spectrum of light". Ever heard of an x-ray?
Not being able to prove the existence of something does not disprove its existence.
I can't prove there are quacks on Mars, but I know they exist!
You would do better to discover it by looking outside your narrow frame of reference.
It's not up to me to prove that crystal healing works. It's up to the practitioners. So far, they haven't.
I must say that the problem these days with humanity is that they feel the need to know EVERYTHING! Dont you kinda think that there are some things that should be left sacred? I have great respect for all opinions and am able to put my mind in an open state to ponder the thoughts in ways im not used to. However I feel that crystal healing is a highly spiritual practice that should not be tainted by science. My good friend is a crystal healer and also a Catholic, I have witnessed many of her clients drastically heal many mental illnesses as well as physical. I promise to find some proof for you. I do have to ask, have you ever tried crystal healing? Because I find it completely ignorant to shun something you yourself have never tried. That being said, I will get back to you when i find some research! Many blessings
I must say that the problem these days with humanity is that they feel the need to know EVERYTHING!
Why is it a problem?
Dont you kinda think that there are some things that should be left sacred?
What does "sacred" mean in this context?
However I feel that crystal healing is a highly spiritual practice that should not be tainted by science.
How does knowing whether it works "taint" it?
My good friend is a crystal healer and also a Catholic, I have witnessed many of her clients drastically heal many mental illnesses as well as physical.
How do you know the crystal was responsible?
I promise to find some proof for you.
I'm all ears, but be warned: the kind of evidence that I am looking for is the same kind of evidenced used to evaluate drugs: a double-blind study, preferably several.
Because I find it completely ignorant to shun something you yourself have never tried.
Have you ever jabbed a knitting needle into your eardrum? If not, I find it completely ignorant of you to sun something you haven't tried.
Honestly
There are some great points on both sides
And in reality, this discussion will never be sorted out
So in the end
Why dont you all just leave your thoughts and opinions to yourself and leave the other party of people alone
Its your opinion and not everyone will agree with it
Anonymous:
What do you think are the "great points" in favor of crystal healing?
Like, can you provide any evidence?
In my opinion we need a dictionary going here. Faith is one thing and science is another. Thank goodness science does not depend on faith but on provable, recreatable facts and experiements. On the other hand, faith is very important in that it covers those things that cannot be proven and therefore allow us to believe in things we cannot possible test scientifically(like the love of another person).
If one have faith that crystals will heal them, they probably will; if one need empirical proof, they probably won't.
I taught high school science for 25 years and tried to instill in my students the love of mystery. To me science doesn't so much try to prove things as to disprove;not so much uncover but to discover.
It bothers me to no end to read some of these comments, and how people are proud of their ignorance. There is zero proof for any magical healing properties of crystals for any condition. You can give as many anectodes as you wish, and they are all irrelevant because in the end they are not facts gathered in a suitable manner for testing, but a collection of opinions, which hold no weight. I do have experience with crystals, specifically, a mother who believes they hold great power to cause good and bad. I see first hand the completely ridiculous leaps of logic and mental gymnastics she goes through to attribute any results to the crystals. This is all make- believe, and like the tooth fairy, santa and the easter bunny, you have to have faith that it works, otherwise it's just a pretty rock. If you want to believe that your god or goddess imbued tremendous power into a crystal, fine. That doesn't change the fact that it only exists in your mind, and is not real. Believers do our society a huge disservice by promoting magic and mystery where none exists. In the end, with out your belief, there is no healing crystal phenomenon, just rocks.
Wouldn't arguing that any perceived benefits of crystal therapy are merely placebo mean that you believe people can heal themselves with happy thoughts or psychic powers or whatever? Well, I guess that makes more sense.
Kephra:
You seem confused. Placebos are of no value when the illness is real and organic, but may be of some value when the illness is psychological. No one is using placebos to cure cancer.
Jeffrey, you are wrong. I've talked with several 'crystal healers' who claim they can cure cancer. If they are wrong, they are dooming their patients to death. But, I suppose that isn't too big a problem, eh?
Anonymous:
I'd love to hear the details of who these crystal healers are.
Grits said:
"In my opinion we need a dictionary going here. Faith is one thing and science is another."
I don't really agree here. Mainly because of the following:
"Thank goodness science does not depend on faith but on provable, recreatable facts and experiements."
Now, I would like to point out a premis that the scientific method is based upon, the assumption, or 'belief' in the following:
That the whole of the universe (time, energy and its laws), sprang out of nothing in a single instant. Also know as the Big Bang singularity.
This assumption underlies everything that science might tell you, including evolution, physics and many other fields. Personally it reeks, nay stinks, of FAITH.
Seconly, as a small joke: you thank goodness. If you were a 'true' follower of the scientific method, you would acknowledge that 'Goodness' is a thought or meme that only seems to occur in the spectrum of the human brain. And subsequently disregarded, together with Evil :P
Whilst pondering these kinds of subjects, and the fact that I couldn't swallow God having created the universe, I have overcome my personal feelings of Duality. Which this discussion is ultimately about (US vs them. Scientist vs spirtualist).
What the realization of 'non-duality' means to me is that both groups are wrong (a little stab at the ego of both groups there ;)). And also, both groups are right!
This universe is imbued with spirit or with energies not yet comprehended by the human mind. Make note: MIND!
Imagine using crystal healing like we ride a bike. Riding a bike is quite easy once you become skilled at it, but if we had to consciously understand all the processes that are going on there we would fail Miserably (gravitational pull, centrifugal force on the wheels, neurons firing optical and balance impulses into the brain, muscle contractions and expansions, etc)
We don't _consciously_ know how it works, but I am sure that those trained in its use are able to manage all of the factors involved on levels of our subconscious mind. After all, I see people ride bikes all the time! ^_^
And whether the Crystal Healing's effectiveness is figured out in the 'real world' or in the realm of 'mind'/'spirit' is of no consequence to me, as I see them as ONE.
With love for the Earth,
Berry
the scientific method is based upon, the assumption, or 'belief' in the following:
That the whole of the universe (time, energy and its laws), sprang out of nothing in a single instant.
You are extremely confused. The scientific method is based on no such assumption. We might discover tomorrow, for example, that the universe was created out of the remnant of a previous universe. The big bang is a deduction from observations, not an assumption.
It requires belief on my part to see a universe sprouting out of nothing in a single instant.
And the observations that take into account that laws of physics are not undergoing the same evolution as we are...
Atar:
You don't really know what "evolution" means in a biological context, do you?
I think that we should stop arguing and try to bridge the gap between science and spirituality, dont you? have you read any of rupert sheldrakes or bruce liptons books? scientific men with amazing theories! can i ask, do you believe that spiritual healing is real?
janine
Sheldrake is a charlatan. I do not believe in spirits or spiritual healing. Read Nolen's book Healing: a Doctor in Search of a Miracle.
Ok, so firstly I have to ask.. do you have ANY idea about the energy anatomy of a human being or how vibrational medicine works? And secondly what exactly, is your idea of “crystal healing”? How would you use quantum physics or einstein's theories to hypothetically answer the question of how crystal healing "could" work? Since you seem to understand the language of science maybe you can find some interesting questions to put forward of "what if we applied.. theory" instead of thinking you have all the answers.
It seems that a) you seem to be missing the whole point that humans are energy (since all matter is energy) and that anything that may have the ability to affect our electromagnetic field may just have an effect on our physicality; and that b) your quotes and references are pretty crap. Instead of using a shitty web page try using some decent reference material of someone who has a scientific background instead of someone like Melody who clearly is not going to give you scientific answers. Like try reading Richard Gerber’s “Vibrational Medicine” textbook, and look further into Marcel Vogel’s actual story and work instead of a tiny snippet of a quote on a webpage which has little more than a paragraph on the subject. Gerber’s book explains a LOT in the way of subtle energy and actually includes a whole chapter on crystals and their place in the world of health and healing (and includes Vogel's work). His book has a LOT of scientific reference. Also, I don’t know any crystal healer who has referred to crystal healing as a “science”. It is a healing art. And who says crystal “healing” is restricted to a practitioner and a client? Quartz crystals have contributed greatly to the world of science and technology in the way of electronics, laser devices, information storage, sonar, communication, time-keeping, etc. Crystals are beginning to provide human beings with the power to manipulate and transform knowledge and information in many new ways... If they have the ability to transform energy in these ways, who is to say it doesn't have the ability to transform energy in other ways? It is known that quartz crystals emit piezo-electricity when heat or pressure is applied... so when held in the hand (heat and pressure) why would that not create the same effect of being able to manipulate subtle energies through the use of focussed thought/energy since thought can also create form? Curious to hear your response once you have read Gerber's book.. next time you try and "de-bunk" something... try and find some decent material to critique.
how vibrational medicine works
First, point me to a single peer-reviewed, double-blind study that shows that it does work.
If they have the ability to transform energy in these ways
Piezoelectricity is measurable and understood. In contrast, the claims of crystal healers have never been verified, and they are completely at odds with our understanding of physics and medicine.
I don't think the supporters of the practice of crystal healing are framing the issue in the correct manner.
Instead of calling it "spiritual practice", "sacred", or any other such word, just refer to it as "theory". The theory is that crystals can be used to heal ailments, or they can't. In this manner, it's like any other clinical drug test... you give people a fake drug, you give people a real drug, and if more people are cured by the real drug than the fake drug, you can say that the drug is effective to a certain extent beyond the placebo effect.
Similarly, if you make the claim that crystals can be used to heal certain ailments, you can perform the exact same experiment to test the "crystal theory". Either more people are cured by using the crystal, or they aren't. If crystals don't help cure anybody, then stop pretending that it's some sort of "scientific-spiritual" practice.
It seems to be, quite simply, an incorrect theory. People make incorrect theories all the time. It doesn't make a person stupid for following them... but makes them irredeemably stupid if they continue to follow them when all actual evidence points to the contrary.
I was arguing with someone that crystal healing is nonsense and came across this blog while looking for studies and research on the subject.
I'm really shocked by most of the commenters who support crystal healing but really aren't adding anything to the argument expect proving there is nothing more than a placebo effect. Or they just demonstrate that they don't know how scientific testing works. It's funny but sad.
Anywho, love the article and I'll be continuing on to the studies you referenced.
I have read almost all your comments and think that you debunk yourself with the amount of bias in all of your statements. Science is unbiased. No comment on crystal healing. I liked the article, I just find your responses to be childish and very pretentious. Science is about open mindedness and not claiming things till they have been thoroughly researched. Not saying things like "
Have you ever jabbed a knitting needle into your eardrum? If not, I find it completely ignorant of you to sun something you haven't tried." or "Ever heard of an x-ray?" and "I can't prove there are quacks on Mars, but I know they exist!" That is grade school bickering. Start writing something worth a damn in response and don't say things like "I'd love to hear the details of who these crystal healers are." when it is quite clear that you don't.
Anonymous:
Thank you for your praise, and I'm glad you enjoy the blog.
I keep quartz on my wrist and it gives me the amazing ability to tell the time. It's a miracle
Healing and medicine are two different entities. especially western medicine. . .western medicine is invasive and doesn't try in any way to work with the bodies natural healing capabilities. healing is a process that every human is able to tap into. If a crystal helps you focus that energy, why not use it. I have seen and felt things that are inexplainable by science, am i then to believe that i am crazy, delusional or, dare i say, a crackpot? the truth is, it would be neat to see some scientific evidence or explainations of what is happening, but it is clear to those of the population that are in tune with vibrational and subtle energies that there is something that happens. Science has recently proven that love energy and fear energy are very real types of energy that travel in wavelengths. to see the eveidence check out the "esoteric agenda" on youtube. it speaks alot on many topics this poticular study is described somewhere past the midpoint of this hour long documentary. the love wavelngth is slow and long while the fear wavelength is short and of high frequency. If we are still discovering ways to detect subtle energies is it not possible science as we know it may still be in it infancy in regards to these matters? I think we need both scientific understanding and spiritual awareness in life but perhaps one does not have to negate the other. if holding a crystal promotes love energy wavelengths to course through your physical and emotional self, this may induce healing. I notice at times that when seperated from my crystals physically and in need of grounding or centering - phenomenon/ feelings which i would like to see the scientific community explain - oftentimes just thinking of the crystals used in the process and evoking the properties, can be just as effective. Some may need a physical object that their faith accepts with out question as doing this for them becasue they do not see how they are truly the rsponsible party. is it not possible then that the fake crystals induced the same type of response. so in a way i agree that is may be phycosymantic. but still, isn't it neat how an object can affect us. maybe our minds are truly doing wwork that science can't explain and the crystals are simply tailsmen to focus this. if i hold a hockey stick in my hand it's much eaiser to visualize myself scoring a goal, just as if i hold a crystal in my hand it's much easier to visualize healing happening within my body on a molecular scale. science has proven thoughts have energy and our perseptions and expectations can manifest results. so would it be possible that we just don't understand yet how the powers of our energies work? no one in any community scientific or not can deny that we all are full of energies electro - magnetic, and those energies produced from hormonal and chemical type reactions with in. should a crysal be the tool that helps believers focus and use this energy, why not give them a bit of benifit of the doubt - they can't all be crazy, though many of us are.
I absolutely LOVE my crystals. I have since I was a kid. My father who was a physcian actually purchased my first stones for me. I grew up to work with my father in his practice, mainly to keep me out of trouble I think because I still studied 'rocks' through a program called G.I.A. I continued in the allopathic medical field for another 25 years - continuing my education in stones, including taking a course from Melody who was mentioned earlier in this blog. With my training in the healthcare industry and my passion for stones I started really seeing what Jeffrey is talking about. I understand why there are so many questions and fears about objects that have been here longer then we have and have more then centuries of folk-lore surrounding them.
the rest of my comment got cut off into cyber space...
As I was saying, although I followed my father's footsteps into allopathic medicine, I never lost my love or facination with stones and crystals. I continued my studies and had to come to terms with much of what Jeffrey is talking about. I attended classes from geological information to melody's training, all while continuing a career in the allopathic healthcare industry.
I had to come to terms with these dichotomies while moving up the ladder in the healthcare industry and watching my father die of cancer.
The drugs that my father were given, as are most cancer patients, not only killed the cancer cells, but a part of him. We have all seen them - the cancer patients with the shell shocked look that they know something else is going on besides mutant cells. These drugs are meant for curing physical syptoms of inner illness, they do nothing for the root of the illness, the very cause of the illness.
My father was a very good physician, he believed that we do the best we can and pray its enough, and that medicine was always really just damn good guess work. He also knew that patients would get better with or without any intervention if they would seek to heal the inner illness that causes the illness to manifest within the physical.
I now work as a crystal vibrational therapist. I too am concerned with the lack of standards across the industry as a whole. I too would like to see across the board standards in education requirements, philosophy reviews, practice standards, continuing education as well as many other areas that I believe this industry has shown previous weakness. However, I do believe that as we improve as an industry we will have the proof that Jeffrey wants, and deserves. As we come together as an industry the allopathic fields will see the benefit of treating the 'soul' if you will and we will no longer be tagged as lunatics.
I appreciate Jeffrey for telling us what it is he doesn't buy about what we have to say - it shows we need to find a better language, it shows we need to live up to the expectations of mainstream industry if we want to play in the sandbox.
Jeffrey, I wrote my own blog today, linked it this one, would love for you to comment!
-Melissa Mogan
The "Crystal Lady" opines: "I now work as a crystal vibrational therapist."
Oh, please. Come on... "crystal vibrational therapist"? I'd be embarrassed to tell anyone that I was gullible enough to believe in the magical healing power of a rock.
And there it is: MAGICAL THINKING.
Why NOT believe in magic?
I like science. It fascinates, intrigues, and informs me.
However, without a little bit of magic and mystery in my life, things would seem dull and boring.
Who decided we have to choose between the two?
Personally, I find the laws of physics completely magical! Gravity is no less magical than the possibility of a rock creating or storing vibrational energy. Matter = energy = matter = energy = matter...
And Jefferey, why are you so upset about others using a healing practice that you don't believe in? Is anyone harming you in any way? I wouldn't dare to suggest that you hold a nice big chunk of rose quartz for a while (which aligns with the heart chakra, the energy center in the human body controls emotion and our ability to deal with it in healthy ways)... That wouldn't be appropriate. ;) However, I do think you could use a nice big bear hug! And please know I mean this in a genuine and loving way, with no sarcasm whatsoever.
If we all spend our lives arguing and questioning one another's beliefs, we'd have no time to concentrate on ourselves. Perhaps some people use their cynicism and skepticism as a distraction, in order to not have to look within.
Namaste :)
I have posted here before and have followed this interesting discussion since then. Just this last post made me want to reply:
Erin said:
"Who decided we have to choose between the two?"
Science has a mindset discecting things, you take it apart to understand it. So science fits perfectly into the Dualistic worldview propagated by Western Materialism. I would say by entering into a discussion about crystal healing with scientists, the scientist decided we would have to choose between the two, because in my experience scientists are of the Dualistic persuasion ;)
It benefits the Ego to stay in control if there is `something else` to condemn. I would call it `They-ism`.
"I believe there are two kinds of people: Those who devide the world into two kinds of people, and those who don`t."
Berry, an ex Bio-Medical Engineer.
I don't know if I'm feeding a troll but here goes:
Atar: If you were trying to speak authoritatively: misspelling 'dissect' will overshadow any former stint as a biomedical engineer.
First off: Thanks for posting on my spelling mistake, I now have an oppertunity to learn the spelling of a new word and evolve further :)
Excuse me for not being a native english speaker and being born with a minor case of dyslectia due to having a lack of air at birth. The fact I made it through bio-medical enegineering school astounded most of my peers, if not my former teachers and those who tried to help me overcome my dyslectia and dyscalculia.
Still, it matters not. What is missing from the scientist mind, as you have just proven, is the ability to go into someone elses experience and feel around subjectively. Had you done that there might have been a true discussion with me. Rather than doing that you chose the way of Dualism, going `AHA! I see a spelling mistake! The poster is obviously beneath the level of compitent scientist!`.
And thus (re)creating the dichotimy that threatens our society and world so much.
I send you Love and forgive you none the less `Anonymous`.
Hugs,
Berry
ps. it might be that there is some spelling mistakes in this post as well, care to point them out so that I might learn?
May I first off say I enjoy the outlooks on both sides.
I know not if crystal energies/healing work, but I continue to do small experiments like place crystals with seedlings and plants and record their growth cycles ect.
What I have found is that Aloe Vera, the African desert plant, responds with a clear quartz crystal in a way that makes new growth from the base of the plant sprout at a much faster and elongated rate.
With that said, the one without the crystal had not made new growth in over half the others time. In regards to non desert plants, I have only recorded elongated stems in use with crystals.
Im in the middle on the belief, and I found this website and had to put in my two cents. Now, im just a community college kid thats 18, not a scientist or crystal healer. I just wanted to make or break the crystal theory with plants because they cant lie, yet, they have only but made my curiosity worsen. I will continue to fight for the truth, becuase something tells me its more then just a rock, but something else tells me it is...just a rock.
Ive noticed your all real sticklers on spelling, scientific reason, and like to jump on someones opinion quick so please just be nice to me, I mean no harm.
If we stop fighting and try to prove or disprove a lingering belief with things like X-rays, plants, and other material that dosent lie, then possibly we can either prove or disprove the other faction. All im seeing is arguing and awnsering questions with more questions.
-Kicking Bird
What I have found is that Aloe Vera, the African desert plant, responds with a clear quartz crystal in a way that makes new growth from the base of the plant sprout at a much faster and elongated rate. With that said, the one without the crystal had not made new growth in over half the others time.
It seems really unlikely to me, but it is at least a hypothesis that one could test. I encourage you to do so! But make sure that you follow good experimental design. In particular, try to design your experiment so that the person who is measuring "new growth" cannot possibly know which plants have the crystal and which do not. Also make sure that, to the best of your ability, each plant receives exactly the same amount of light, heat, and water.
I find this to be a very interesting topic and very entertaining fight between those of faith and science. I have always fallen on the side of science however, I want to take the hypothesis that crystals have healing power to the next level of experimentation. These experiments were done on people - which I have never found to be a reliable source - and I want to know if anyone knows of any experiments done on the piezoelectricity of the gems and if a change was found on the human body or more importantly the electrical impulses in the brain?
I'm a massage therapist who a complete skeptical when comes to "energy healing". I'm trying to find the ans myself. I felt like a fraud to sell my service as an "energy healer". So I would rather be specializing in clinical massage, at least I can educate my clients on how it physiologically works and so on. In the other hands I had felt the shift of energy when I touched certain individuals. I couldn't explain it, and so (though skeptical) I visualized white light protecting me,it worked for whatever reason. I'm not ready however to say that it was all psychic healing. With crystals, I'm also still looking for a scientific proof of how it works. My husband suggested me to add the crystal healing in my practice one day, I refused cos I couldn't back that up with logic. But being a massage therapist for years I realized one thing: never underestimate the power of the mind. Maybe I'm not open minded enough to be able to comprehend the existence of psychic energy, I just don't feel any vibrations from crystals.
@Friska Streeter
A relatively easy way to do more scientific research on this would be to design a controlled double blind study for your practice.
You could keep your crystals in little cloth bags and one week you use actual crystals and the other its a piece of glass the same size.
Lets say that someone you don't have contact with on a daily basis would do the 'shuffling' of the bags (not your husband, he could give off clues). So one week he shuffles the bags, gives you one at random and at the end of the week opens the bag, then writes down what it was. This repeats itself at random until you get enough quantifiable data.
Of course, you would have to keep a log on how you feel the 'bags' are helping you out and how your patients feel. Maybe make some kind of quick rating/tickoff list to fill out after every client.
Remember, if you have ANY clue about whether its the crystal or the glass your experiment can fail because it loses its objectivity. You will consciously or subconsciously start filling in forms more positively one way or the other depending on your beliefs.
If the crystals come out stronger, you've made a step forward towards proving that. If both come out equal its all in the mind and we know we can heal more effectively using 'something' as a focus ;)
A background in understanding linking correlations of energy in motion might be in order.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piezoelectricity
Move on.
As a student of geology at the University of Portsmouth, I spend much of my time in the mineralogy lab, surrounded by drawers containing a huge variety of mineral types. I'm hoping that my proximity to all these crystals may give me immunity to all known diseases. It hasn't happened yet as I took two days off last week with a sore throat and runny nose. Perhaps I should give some of these crystals a fairer chance and talk to them, or chant mantras instead of chopping them up into thin sections and blasting them with x-rays
I wasn't going to bother & I have nothing to do with the topic but the ignorance here just bothers me.
There is much that exists beyond the visible spectrum of light, and beyond the five senses.
Medicine already uses concepts "beyond the visible spectrum of light". Ever heard of an x-ray?
So thats it no room for anything else
Not being able to prove the existence of something does not disprove its existence.
I can't prove there are quacks on Mars, but I know they exist!
Really?
You would do better to discover it by looking outside your narrow frame of reference.
It's not up to me to prove that crystal healing works. It's up to the practitioners. So far, they haven't.
No why would it be up to anyone? If the shit works for them and theirs so be it. If you doubt it then fuck if why waste your time and energy arguing with those who do? I hate veggies don't eat them. All I eat is sugar and red meat. I am completely healthy. I'm not gonna go around trying to get people to stop eating what they eat cuz I don't. Who the Fukc cares
The danger in it revolves around someone not getting actual proven medical treatment for their illness in time, or spending money on rocks, instead of the medicine that is proven to help fight the illness in the first place. The power of suggestion may help, but it is not going to cure Aunt Lucy's cancer.. if crystals actually worked you would see them being used religiously in hospitals...medical technology is amazing and they would have discovered long ago if they were legit or not...and as far as Mr Me's comment on going around stopping people from eating what they want, who the Fuk cares?
You should care cause the obesity rate and type 2 diabetes is out of control..and guess what? Half these people dont have health insurance so we pay for their unhealthy lifestyle choices with our tax dollars when they come into the ER in Diabetic ketoacidosis and spend another week in the ICU with a big fat 100k bill Im stuck helping to pay for.
There are things that people experience that can't be explained by science. I know very little of the use of using stones or crystals for healing but I know a good bit about geology and psychology. In all the years of collecting minerals and rocks, I haven't ever experienced any transfer of energy, vibrations, or anything else. Collecting minerals and rocks eases my stress and I feel better after spending the afternoon on a rocky creek bank or hiking in the mountains. I know that handling the small smooth cobble of granite (with small specs of pink orthoclase)that I keep on my desk is something I do frequently when counseling students and I've noticed that it's easier for me to concentrate and focus when I'm doing it. Whether it's the result of some mystic energy of the stone or the fact that by handling it, my hands have something tangible to mindlessly manipulate, thus allowing me to focus more, I have no idea.
With all the crystals and rocks I have in my house from years and years of collecting, why is my back still hurting? (rhetorical question)
You are stuck in your own limitations, just as science is. Just because you couldn't find some scientific study to approve your thinking doesn't mean that is all a hoax. When you will realize you really have no clue about this universe then you might start to actually learn something about it. All i see is denial and negative energy probably coming from your own confusion and life frustrations. The complexity and beauty of the actual universe is uncomprehensible to the human mind & science as it is in this moment. I have met a lot of energy healers and shamans that actually healed serious diseases and they have much higher understanding of this world and it's really arrogant to deny everything just because it seems impossible to you. What I'm reading here is a medieval mind who waits for others for approval of what is and what is not. Ridiculous.
Just because you couldn't find some scientific study to approve your thinking doesn't mean that is all a hoax.
The burden of proof is on you. Let's see some data.
What I'm reading here is a medieval mind who waits for others for approval of what is and what is not.
Oh, dear, you seem very confused. In the medieval period people believed what others told them. It was the scientific revolution that led to the realization that skepticism, not belief, leads more effectively to discerning the truth. You're using a computer developed using science, not mysticism.
Why are you starting to all your replys by saying Oh, dear, you seem very confused.
Try to be more original when answering to someone.
No one is confused here but maybe you.
Believe or not but crystal do have energy.
A light bulb has energy, too, but that doesn't mean it's going to heal cancer or tuberculosis.
How about some evidence? I see a lot of crystal healers making wild claims here, but not a single one can give me any evidence.
Crystal healing is utter bunk.
it's pointless to debate on this issue.if somebody does not believe that every natural crystals can cure ailments,so be it.for me it's no big deal.if somebody believes that the stone is harder than the water,so be it.this argument is quite similar to those skeptics who claimed that the GERSON THERAPY don't have any proof of curing cancer patients & other degenerative diseases,because their mind was made to believed that there is no alternative medicine,and no alternative cure for cancer & other degenerative diseases.anybody can claim that the only way to kill a cat is by drowning it into a pond.for me it's no big deal either.if somebody believes that anything that is beyond comprehension and grasp of science is not true,it's because he never believe in the existence of God.The SUPREME BEING is beyond grasp of Science right?
You're a fountain of woo, Anonymous. Gerson therapy is garbage and dangerous. You're a nutcase.
http://www.thewindofkeltia.com/crystalenergy.html There are PLENTY of scientific studies and data available.
We are energy and so is the earth but please visit the link I posted. It is of scientific studies that have been conducted since the 1800s to present.
Usually staunch Christians and/or staunch scientists think its evil or taboo to think of such things, but frankly there is nothing contradicting. If its a scientist that is debunking, then they likely will use the term pseudoscience. Its a way for them to say that these other scientists dont measure up to certain criteria, however these that name call forget that they are victims of their own self made paradigms and have lost their ability to think out of the box; trapped in their one state of thinking, and which causes them to lose their ability to progress forward.
There is also a paper written especially for all those debunkers out there who are in denial land, it is called SYMPTOMS OF PATHOLOGICAL SKEPTICISM (c)1996 William J. Beaty, its very extensive and to the point. You can easily google it and find it. Everything is energy, even crystals and stones. Everything is physics. You could learn oodles by following the Shaman Native American Elders. Its not folklore and myth, its fact. Crystal Quartz has scientific findings that show it can store, amplify, transfer and focus energy. If you drop a Quartz Crystal, they will explode due to the energy within them. A skeptic will always think that when someone holds a quartz crystal and feel energy that it is a figment of their imagination. It does take a spiritual soul to feel energy of animals, plants, children, and humanity in general, and they are called Sensitives, but even with Moldavite, even the harshest debunker usually can feel the energy.
When you enter an environment an hour after a violent situation, say at a store, or other place, you will feel it instantly, though you did not know such a thing took place, but this residual energy is imprinted in the environment. It is the same for Crystals, except when used in positive ways, you have positive results, etc.
A native american elder once wrote that you could sit under a tree with your eyes closed and have stones near you from the earth, and you can pick one rock up and hold it for a few minutes and feel its energy, and then sit it down and pick up another one and do the same thing, you will assuredly feel a different vibration of that stone from the first,and each stone is unique unto itself, just like we are, everything is about physics. NO they are not alive as you or I but not in the way you think of yourself but their energy is the same energy that Creator used to create YOU !! good luck with the skepticism.
There are PLENTY of scientific studies and data available.
Ok, then it should be easy for you to provide one. Give us your single best scientific study proving crystal healing as it is currently practiced.
Oh, and I have dropped many quartz crystals and none of them have "exploded". No one I know (including dozens of geologists) feels anything special when they hold moldavite.
Hi,
Regarding the study at Goldsmiths College in which volunteers failed to report any differences between real crystals and fake glass crystals, I think it's unfair to disprove that crystals can be of benefit when this experiment is really concerned with autosuggestion and the volunteers 'ignorance'.
For example if a group of volunteers were shown a painting that was supposed to be an original Van Gogh and it was a fake, just because they don't identify it as a fake doesn't devalue the original it just proves the majority of the population are naive and vulnerable to fraud/autosuggestion? There are art experts out there just as there are experts in the field of crystal healing who could probably tell from 50 paces that the Goldsmith's experiment was a joke but this doesn't disprove the physicality of such genuine experience, it only proves some people aren't experienced enough to make good test subjects.
there are experts in the field of crystal healing who could probably tell from 50 paces that the Goldsmith's experiment was a joke
You provide the "experts", and we'll set up a double-blind test. I'm willing to wager $1000 that no expert you can find can do significantly better than chance in distinguishing two different covered crystals that supposedly give off completely different kinds of vibrations.
Hi Jeffrey,
Really enjoyed reading the article and have been looking online for "Crystal Energy Healing" studies. Of which I can find none that are scientific, independently, peer reviewed articles.
I think the biggest problem is that people don't understand what energy is. Matter does not equal energy as some imply, matter may store energy but that energy has to come from somewhere (coal and petroleum). For instance an iron bar doesn't contain energy, but if I bend it it stores the energy, from being bent, until I release it.
Anyway glad to see you are still replying after writing it almost 4 years ago. :)
I am also researching this topic to determine where I stand on it. I have found that clear quarts is said to be used to amplify what is already there. I woild be interested to see this study done with crystals that are claimed to have a specific effect such as amethyst or labradorite. Perhapse with the participants blindfolded so that the color of the crystal has no placebo effect, as colors specific effects on mood which are partially influenced by culture. I would also be interested to see this repeated with crystals that have been exposed to specific sounds such as 528 or 417 hz.
Maybe more scientists should train as crystal healers and then do research on the topic. I am neutral on the topic. Leave the mudslinging to pollititions and assholes plz synce your all so rational. :) have a nice day.
The thpught that you could ever know everything is foolish. An attempt to do so is impractical and impossible. That is her point there. You know what sacred means. If not use the dictionary synce u will get the standardized deffinition you crave so dearly. Why the fuck would you tell someone to jab a needle in their eardrum? It would have a pretty clear effect, unlike the crystals which apparently have non. Your comment is immature and out of context. Or maybe we shod perform this eardrum study on you and see if crystal healing will help to restore your hearing.
This is not true. If you actually look into it you will find that positive hinking accellorates physical healing. In a study done where men with colon cancer were seperated into two groups half used only western medicine, and half used western medicine in combination with peyote ceremonies which are known to give "sacred" experiences. The men who took peyote had 40% better results. Peyote has efects almost exclusively on the brain and is not cited as anticarconogenic in any way.
In a study done where men with colon cancer were seperated into two groups half used only western medicine, and half used western medicine in combination with peyote ceremonies which are known to give "sacred" experiences. The men who took peyote had 40% better results.
An interesting claim, but who can evaluate it if you fail to provide any citation to the literature?
The thpught that you could ever know everything is foolish.
Who said that? Straw man.
You know what sacred means. If not use the dictionary synce u will get the standardized deffinition you crave so dearly.
I don't know what is meant in this context, and I fail to see what it has to do with crystal healing. Either it works or it doesn't; whether or not it is "sacred" is irrelevant.
Why the fuck would you tell someone to jab a needle in their eardrum? It would have a pretty clear effect, unlike the crystals which apparently have non. Your comment is immature and out of context.
I agree entirely - you took my comment out of context and clearly failed to understand it.
My point (and I'm sorry you missed it) is that we can and do criticize health practices that we ourselves have never tried.
Or maybe we shod perform this eardrum study on you and see if crystal healing will help to restore your hearing.
Been there, done that. Look up "myringotomy" - and yes, it is extremely painful.
I dont understand all the focus on science. We arent allowed to reap the benefits of truly helpful scientific studies, like those of Tesla and Reich.
Reich was a charlatan and achieved nothing. Tesla had many genuine achievements, but became increasingly unhinged as he grew older. Neither provided anything to think crystal healing has effects due to the crystals.
Thank you for writing this, and for taking the time to respond to the majority of comments on here. I doubt those that believe in crystal energy even realize that science is simply humanity's method for discovering knowledge, and is ultimately the only way to avoid arguments from authority. They do not know when they claim that they have felt energy from a crystal, that they are asking us to believe on their word alone, an argument from authority in itself. Or that they themselves surely must have some skepticism when it comes to certain claims from salespeople, politicians, or ads. Crystal believers, when someone attempts to foist their particular beliefs upon you, don't you ask for evidence? Of course you do. "But science doesn't know everything", but does that mean I can claim whatever I want in the interem and you must accept it? Of course not. Its a process and we're getting closer all the time. And finally there is STILL greater mystery and wonder in all that we've discovered and analyzed and understood in this amazing universe, billions more...than anything humans can make up in their biased minds. Only through careful reasoning, methodological naturalism, and unflinching self-honesty is our species going to survive the wall of problems we currently face. Peace.
The studies that you reference in your article do not prove that crystals don't have the ability to affect us vibrationally. It only proves that a sample of random people can't feel the difference between a crystal and another object. Not surprising at all to me. It would be irresponsible to claim that crystals do not have healing properties based on this experiment alone, which does not even touch on the topic at hand. Sure, science has not proven the healing properties of crystals but it has not disproven it either. I'm not sure why this debate is even going on, other than the fact that many people are very angry that other people get to enjoy themselves with things as mysterious as crystals and other spiritual tools. I would recommend bringing rose quartz into your life!
It only proves that a sample of random people can't feel the difference between a crystal and another object.
It wasn't a sample of "random people". The sample included people who were customers at "new age" stores, and hence likely to believe they experience "vibrations" when they hold certain crystals and not others. The experiment proved they were wrong. It is, in fact, quite strong evidence that people who say they have these experiences are self-deluded.
It would be irresponsible to claim that crystals do not have healing properties based on this experiment alone, which does not even touch on the topic at hand.
You have the burden of proof backwards. It is not up to me, or other skeptics to prove that "crystals do not have healing properties". It is up to you, and other believers, to perform double-blind tests to back up your claims.
Sure, science has not proven the healing properties of crystals but it has not disproven it either.
Science hasn't disproven the healing properties of putting lasagna on your head, either. The burden of proof is on the lasagna-wearers.
There is very good reason to believe that crystal-healing is bunk. One is the studies I cited. The other is that there is no biological or medical mechanism that anyone has proposed of how a crystal would heal anything.
I'm not sure why this debate is even going on
1. Because some people are interested in truth.
2. Because crystal healers are likely charlatans who are making money from fraud.
3. Because dealers who sell expensive crystals claiming they have healing properties are probably engaging in fraud.
I've known of many advocates of crystal healing and there's always one thing in common. They tell you that it heals wounds, yet, one of those same people falls over, gets ran over gets cancer.. they go to the hospital. They don't swing a crystal at is until after the operation.
I'm a natural born sceptic with hippy parents. I studied computer science and political science at university and am now a banker. I always scoffed at my parents alternative theories of nature -- including 'crystal healing'. However, when I was about 20 visiting family one time I picked up a crystal and was surprised to feel a buzzing sensation in the palm of my hand when it was suspended 2-3cm (an inch or so) above it. To the surprise of my parents I could tell them which part of my hand they where holding it over when I demonstrated this ability to them. I would love to show this ability to someone interested in debunking it.
Natural sceptic:
You're hardly a sceptic if you can be convinced by a few trials that weren't double-blind. And surely the fact that you are claiming you can detect an effect with your hand that has somehow eluded all of science (the same science that discovered radioactivity, ultra-violet light, and x-rays) and its sophisticated measuring techniques, surely should give you pause.
I'm sure James Randi would be happy to test you. And you will fail, like all the other paranormal claimants he's tested.
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