Does Crystal Healing Work?
My Personal Experience with Crystals
In an age when people are seeking alternative holistic therapies, crystal healing has gained significant popularity. But does crystal healing work, or is it merely a matter of personal experience and perception rather than scientific evidence?
Although conventional medicine can be traced back 5,300 years, the use of crystals for healing can be traced back at least 6,000 years. While there is much scepticism surrounding the effectiveness of the ability of crystals to heal, many people remain open-minded.
Although scientific evidence is limited, crystals are without doubt an integral part of many people's lives.
Scientific testing has shown the ability of crystals to heal comes from a phenomenon known as the placebo effect. A placebo is a substance or treatment believed to be genuine but contains no active medicinal ingredient.
Trials have shown that a placebo can stimulate a genuine physiological response, ranging from a change in heart rate or blood pressure to a chemical activity in the brain.
In cases involving pain, depression, anxiety, fatigue and even some symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, a significant improvement has been achieved.
Rocks and minerals have played a crucial role in creating and shaping our planet. With that in mind, who can say for certain they don't have some healing ability that we're yet to fully understand?
I have been working with rocks and minerals for more than twenty years. Although I don't use them for healing, I am drawn to them in a way that I can't fully explain. When working with them, I feel a sense of calmness, and they often lift my mood.
My interest in rocks and minerals is not purely geological, I'm also interested in how they've been used and studied throughout history.
I'm fascinated by their colours and characteristics and by the fact that I'm handling something whose formation began millions, or in some cases, even billions of years ago.
People often forget how old rocks and minerals are and what they've been through to become what they are today.
Although using crystals for healing is not for everyone, these curious and fascinating objects have much to offer.
For many years, I worked in markets and retail shows and was always fascinated by the reactions of people who had little awareness of rocks and minerals. They were captivated by their shapes, colours and textures, and some would seem puzzled by what they were looking at.
One question I was asked time and time again, was what do you do with them? It was a question I always struggled to answer.
I once went to a psychic who had been highly recommended to me. I've always been sceptical about people who claim to have psychic abilities. After I walked in, before I'd even sat down, she started saying things that she could not possibly have known. I hadn't given her my real name, and she knew nothing about me.
Although subsequently, she didn't tell me that much, what she did say was very personal. She kept seeing the letter J and wasn't getting much else. She said she didn't understand why or what it meant. It was the first initial of my partner's name, who was sitting on a bench at the end of the road.
Could crystals be similar to psychic ability in that only some people can tune into them? Maybe for everyone else, they're nothing more than rocks and minerals.
For many years, I’ve read extensively about the healing properties of crystals and heard countless stories. Some I take with a pinch of salt, but you can't dismiss everything.
I've also had a few personal experiences that cannot be logically explained. One involved obsidian, which is said to be exceptionally powerful. Black obsidian is said to bring issues to the surface and can be very confrontational. Crystal healers say you must be ready for a full onslaught before using it.
In the years before I became involved with rocks and minerals, a piece of black obsidian came into my possession. It wasn't something I chose, and I had no idea what to do with it. I put it in my bedside drawer and forgot about it.
In the months that followed, a monumental change took place that changed my life. It came out of the blue and wasn't something I expected. To say it was a full onslaught was an understatement. Was that just coincidental?
Further experiences have shown me that if crystals are destined to be part of your life, they'll make an appearance when the time is right.
I've learnt to appreciate the power that crystals can have on some people's lives, even if the effects they produce have not been validated by science. Although I lean towards scientific explanations and evidence, I also believe in the importance of keeping an open mind.
There may be more to crystals than we currently understand, and exploring their possibilities can be an intriguing journey for some people.
Ultimately, being open to new experiences and perspectives enriches our understanding of the world, which can lead to personal growth, new insights, and a deeper appreciation for the mysteries of life.
Crystal Healing Trends
Statistics on crystal healing, including demographics such as age and gender, can be challenging to pinpoint precisely due to the informal and often personal nature of the practice. However, some general trends have been observed through surveys and studies.
According to the World Metrics Report, 2024, 78% of people who buy crystals (for holistic purposes) are women.
44.6% of consumers are aged between 25 and 34. 22.1% are between 35 and 44.
Many in these age groups said they believed in the energy of crystals and their benefits. The most popular reason for using crystals was to obtain a specific goal or to help to get rid of bad energy.
The popularity of crystal healing continues to rise, particularly in younger age groups. This seems to be driven by celebrity influencers on social media and wellness trends.
Given the growth and widespread popularity of the complementary medicine/wellness industry, it's believed to generate around two hundred billion dollars annually.
