Crystal Healing

Pseudoscience: Theory mistaken as scientific: a theory or method doubtfully or mistakenly held to be scientific


There are hundreds of examples of pseudoscience in the world today; some are more believable than others.  Many of the practices I have discussed in this blog, like Acupuncture and Chiropractic, can  be classified as Pseudoscience... but they are nothing compared to Crystal Healing.



Throughout history civilizations have heralded gems and crystals for their spiritual powers.  The ancient Egyptians believed Jade would help guide them through the afterlife, the Greeks thought a man wearing Amethyst could not get drunk, and apparently, 21st century Americans use crystals to relieve pain and stress. 

"Don't forget your Amethyst!"

First of all, there is literally no evidence supporting the benefits of Crystal Healing; any and every effect of a crystal therapy session can be explain by the Placebo Effect.  But despite these two undisputed facts, hundreds of Americans, like the woman above, continue to waste their time and money on Crystal Healing.  Clearly someone -- either the crystal healer or the crystal dealer -- is lining their pockets with the dollars of the gullible.

It is frightening to see so many advertisements disguised as research out there on the Internet.  Every day naive shoppers are tricked into buying hundreds of dollars worth of Topaz and Opal, and although unbelievable, it is happening.  Information disproving theories like Crystal Healing needs to be more accessible.  In fact, I found it very difficult finding a peer-reviewed source backing what I thought to be common knowledge.

In conclusion, I feel pseudoscience is a tricky subject.  It is important to distinguish science from theory, but it is unclear where we draw the line.  Perhaps some practices -- like Crystal Healing -- should be reclassified as Hoaxes, so disputed practices, like Acupuncture and Chiropractic, are not tarnished by the pseudoscience label.