How Do Crystals Work? The Facts and the Science

Contents 1. Healing Crystals - The Science 2. Healing Power of Crystals 3. The Placebo Effect 4. How to Activate Crystals Reading time:  8 - 10 minutes

The Science Behind Healing Crystals

How crystals work is a question that comes up often. With the rise in popularity of crystal healing, an abundance of information on this subject has become available.

Countless articles, books, and social media posts discuss the different healing properties of crystals. Look long enough and you'll find they can do almost anything.

Many articles make some pretty outlandish claims regarding what can realistically be achieved, but the problem is the lack of scientific evidence.

The concept of how crystals work is rooted in metaphysical beliefs rather than empirical science. According to these beliefs, everything in the universe, including crystals and living beings, emits a vibration. The vibrational frequency is said to interact with an energy field surrounding the human body. 

It's believed that when one aligns with the other, it can affect physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. The idea is that by using crystals with specific vibrational frequencies, it's possible to influence or align the energy field surrounding the body, promoting balance and healing.

The problem with this theory is that scientists argue that these energy fields and vibrational frequencies do not exist.  

The belief that crystals vibrate comes from the understanding that everything in the universe is moving. The extent to which they move varies depending on the object.

At one end of the scale, microscopic particles such as atoms vibrate and interact with each other. At the opposite end, planets, stars and entire galaxies are in motion as they orbit around each other.

Even objects that appear to be stationary are in constant motion. This is because of the rotation of the Earth and its orbit around the sun.

Matter, which is anything that has mass and takes up space, is made up of atoms and molecules, both of which are moving. The movement, known as thermal energy, causes them to vibrate, emitting energy primarily in the form of heat.

When molecules and atoms are cold, they move slowly.  As they heat up, the speed at which they move and vibrate increases. The rise in temperature causes thermal energy to increase.

Something becomes hot when the molecules that make up that object move faster. The faster they move, the hotter it becomes. Atoms and molecules can't be seen but are present in all matter.

The Healing Power of Crystals

People who use crystals for healing often say they can feel their energy. They may hold them and claim they feel hot. Natural stones feel cold to the touch but can feel warm after being held briefly.

While thermal energy causes something to emit heat and/or light, it cannot be felt as a vibration. 

When the vibration of a crystal connects with the human energy field, it's believed chakras can be realigned. An uninterrupted flow of energy is said to improve mental and physical health and overall well-being. It's also claimed to help with issues such as focus, concentration, calmness, and releasing anxiety.

Crystals are said to align with different chakras. Therefore, crystal healers place specific crystals on or near different chakra points.

(*)
The work of Doctor Marcel Vogel is often used to support the theory about how crystals work. Vogel was an inventor and senior research scientist who worked for IBM in the 1960s and 1970s. He's best known for his work on the development of computer hardware and research on the healing properties of quartz crystals.

In later life, he conducted experiments to prove plants could respond to human thought. He concluded that they could store the energy of his thoughts and intentions. There is no scientific evidence to support this.

Vogel believed quartz crystals could be used for healing and spiritual purposes and developed a technique for shaping them into specific forms to enhance their energy.

He wrote, "The crystal is a neutral object whose inner structure exhibits a crystalline state of perfection and balance. When cut precisely to the proper geometric form and when the human mind enters into a relationship with its structural perfection in the vibration of love, the crystal emits a vibration which extends and amplifies the power and grasp of the user’s mind. Imaged thought intent is amplified."

Marcel Vogel's work with crystals has been pursued and expanded upon by many in the metaphysical community. 'Vogel crystals' are still used today.

His explanation of how crystals work has not been embraced by mainstream science. The idea that crystals have energy and properties that can be used for healing remains controversial and largely unproven.  Many of Marcel Vogel's experiments have never been able to be reproduced.

The scientific phenomenon known as piezoelectricity is often used to support the theory that crystals vibrate at different frequencies. Piezoelectricity is an electrical charge produced when certain crystals are exposed to mechanical stress or pressure.

The following screenshot comes from an article that I read called "How Crystals Work."

The information is misleading and incorrect. It's just one example of how misinformation spreads when scientific facts are misunderstood.

The Placebo Effect

Quartz crystals are used in computers, but not to store information, as many people believe. They're used for timing and frequency control because they vibrate at an extremely precise and stable rate when electricity is applied. This precise vibration helps regulate signals in electronic devices.

Most crystals used in computers today are synthetic.

The belief that quartz crystals can retain information has led to the idea that a crystal used for healing can be 'programmed' to store intentions or meaning. Healing crystals are said to be 'programmed' to help the user achieve a goal, intention, or desire. This is where the placebo effect begins.

Extensive scientific studies have shown that the placebo effect is responsible for the positive response to a treatment with no medicinal ingredient.

The phenomenon comes from a conscious or subconscious belief that the treatment will be effective. The placebo effect has been tested extensively in clinical trials of new drugs and therapies.

The positive outcome comes from the power of the mind, not from the treatment itself.
Research has shown that if a medical professional tells someone a treatment is powerful, they're more likely to experience a positive outcome. This demonstrates the impact that perception can have on someone's attitude towards certain conditions.

The rise in popularity of crystals for healing is largely due to the desire to find new ways to improve health and well-being. They offer a less invasive and less toxic alternative to traditional drugs.

People who use crystals for healing are less interested in a scientific explanation of how they work. 

The human mind, which governs the way we think and see the world, is complex. Sometimes in life, it can be a struggle to understand ourselves or the world around us.  Using something tangible to help deal with those challenges can be hugely beneficial. 

The mystery and appeal of crystals and their purported healing properties create a sense of hope for many people.   

Crystals can help someone explore and manage their emotions. They can be worn, carried, used in mindfulness or meditation, or displayed as decorative objects to bring good energy.

Some people feel a response when handling them, while others gain pleasure simply from their presence. There's no right or wrong way to use crystals; they can be used and enjoyed by everyone.

How to Activate Crystals

This section has been moved to a dedicated article that explains how to activate and programme crystals.

The new article is here: How to Activate Crystals.