to think that crystals really do heal the mind?!

[woodentop123]

This is intended as a fun/interesting discussion!

I have a friend who is very spiritual and loves crystals. I've always been open minded (to most things!) and thought I'd have a look at purchasing some myself.

I think crystals are incredibly beautiful so I'm naturally drawn to them and I do feel like they're working when I meditate with them. Does anybody else use crystals... if so may I ask which ones and what for? Or has anybody had negative experiences?!

Would love to hear your stories and especially your suggestions!

If you don't believe in healing crystals I completely understand! If we were all the same we'd be boring! Please still feel free to comment but without hate or prejudice!

If I could only get the NHS to fund a full English...

They do feed patients in hospital. Good food is acknowledged to be important in healing.

The graphite in pencil leads is crystalline. Just mediate with an HB behind your ear and the ‘energy’ and ‘waves’ from this billions of years old substance will work it’s magic.

Or not. But it will save you a lot of money.

Re HB Pencils...

Literally lead up the garden path (sic)

I collect rocks/crystals and minerals and like to look at them but I don’t think they have any impact on my mental health.
People aren’t likely to take you seriously on any subject if you bring this up. There is no evidence crystals do and more than concrete or granite or a pebble.

I have found that some forms of rock have been known to affect my mental health.
Admittedly they fell from a height and hit me on the head, but still...

I too work in MH Ribbonsonabox and have found a similar attitude to yours and your DH's. The placebo effect is amazing! All that efficacy with no side effects or contraindications.

I wouldn't even call it the placebo effect if it's being used in mental health! Because you arent tricking someone, you are working within their own belief system in order to best help that individual. I do think patients are owed individual treatment and respect. Not just to be told what 'should' help them... but to actually work with them and find things that do. Of course this should not conflict with other treatment they are receiving and should be made sure it is not causing them harm.
It grinds my gears when people think everyone should just be drugged off their faces from the get go.
The problem with that is that these drugs although sometimes necessary, can have horrific side effects... if someone can be helped with something that is not going to cause any more harm then of course that should be tried and of course it should be funded by the NHS.

And that's without even going in to the fact that sometimes in mental health people can be in a hospital for years of their life and they have a right to access whatever form of spirituality/belief system they have chosen.

If somebody told you they carried a magic rabbit's foot and it helped their luck what would you think? It's the same principle.

My friend is a gp in a deprived area and says that 80% of her clients are simply lonely and feel like no one cares.

I can't remember the exact details, but I read about somewhere they were having difficulty getting patients (iirc elderly people) signed off from post-treatment outpatients appointments. They realised that in most cases what they really needed was a cafe with tea and someone to talk to.

I wouldn't even call it the placebo effect if it's being used in mental health! Because you arent tricking someone, you are working within their own belief system in order to best help that individual.

But that's what placebo is. A trick. You won't get a medical professional to say crystals have healing powers. You might get them to say 'if it works for you, then carry on doing it!' - which is code for 'if it calms your mind to believe in them, and that has a positive effect, then fine'. That's what a placebo is doing... believing something is going to help you when in fact it's going to have no effect at all, but your mind is going to rest easy in your 'belief' - which can have a positive knock-on effect.

However, much of that belief is down to downright lies. People might believe in the healing powers of crystals but only because they've read a load of pseudo-scientific nonsense proclaiming them to have such healing powers.

I have precisely the same issue with a member of the extended family who believes in psychics. They find it 'comforting' to believe they are in touch with dead relatives. I can't criticise them for receiving comfort - I consider her a 'victim' of bullshitters. But I will never stop criticising the bullshitters who will abuse her naivety.

Sometimes stolen good might benefit someone. They are still stolen.
Sometimes bullshit claims offer comfort. They are still bullshit.

I find the sea very calming, and I know others do too, but I don't believe it has magic powers. I've no problem with people finding beautiful stones or crystals calming either, I only object to those purporting any magical powers.

Belief has healing powers. That’s the crux of it.

Beliefs impact quality of life and length of life, in a similar way to relationships. Some people end up in relationships with total bastards, and some people end up believing in total bastards.

But to argue against the positive powers of belief is like arguing that sex isn’t good for you because sometimes sex is rape. It’s conflating the general effect which is positive, with abuse.

Of course some nefarious people will abuse whatever they can about you to gain power, control, take your money etc etc.

That’s not a problem with crystals or placebos. That’s a problem of the world containing total bastards.

If you think you are safe from total bastards because you don’t believe in woo, hahaha. Now who’s not cynical enough.

Well said Batteriesallgone.

Where CAN you buy crystals from knowing they are ethically sourced?

I love them but hate the idea of other women being exploited for me to have them ergo haven't ever bought myself one.

My husband got my sapphire engagement ring from a shop which sold fair trade, responsibly sourced crystals and precious stones. Got a little booklet with the ring saying where in sri Lanka it was mined and about conditions at the mine etc

And there are lots of online shops which make an effort to certify fair trading and working standards. Just Google ethically sourced crystals.

Maybe get a nice polished piece of Blue John stone, or other such British minerals?

Just back from a lovely reiki massage .
Feel great . Lady mentioned Little Gem Rock shop which are ethically sourced