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Crystal healing is a pseudoscientific alternative-medicine practice that uses semiprecious stones and crystals such as quartz, agate, amethyst or opal. Adherents of the practice claim that these have healing powers, but there is no scientific basis for this claim.[1][2][3] Practitioners of crystal healing believe they can boost low energy, prevent bad energy, release blocked energy, and transform a body's aura.[4]
In one method, the practitioner places crystals on different parts of the body, often corresponding to chakras; or else the practitioner places crystals around the body in an attempt to construct an energy grid, which is purported to surround the client with healing energy. Scientific investigations have found no evidence that such "energy grids" actually exist, and there is no evidence that crystal healing has any greater effect upon the body than any other placebo.
Where the practice is popular, it fosters commercial demand for crystals, which can result in environmental damage and exploitative child labor to mine the crystals.[5]
- ^ Regal, Brian. (2009). Pseudoscience: A Critical Encyclopedia. Greenwood. p. 51. ISBN 978-0-313-35507-3
- ^ Carroll, Robert Todd. "Crystal Power". The Skeptic's Dictionary. Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
- ^ "Live Science". Live Science. June 23, 2017. Archived from the original on May 14, 2020. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Crystal Therapy". Archived from the original on February 14, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
- ^ McClure, Tess (September 17, 2019). "Dark crystals: the brutal reality behind a booming wellness craze". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on May 15, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2019.