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When our world is already full of noise, digital, emotional, and even existential, it is such a luxury that someone is offering a promise of mental clarity. Enter gemstones: old, pretty and sold as a method of focusing and calming method and tools of cognitive harmonisation.
Whether it is amethyst and its alleged stress reduction abilities or
emerald stone
and its name as the stone of communication and clarity, a stone can be a pursuit of clear and positive thoughts. But how scientific is all this, or how much myth of glowing light there is?
There are many myths around us because there has been a lot of lore and legends swept into our present from our past.
But, think it this way, even if 1% of this lore is true, aren't they worth trying, and worth believing.
For centuries, people have been believing in gemstones and their energies. If it weren't true at least a little bit, would people still be talking about them?
The beliefs are passed on to generations for a reason.
In the past, gemstones have been prized due to their beauty but also due to their supposed metaphysical efficacy, too. Allbeit, cultures over time have attached an emotional and mental value to select stones, for example:
Amethyst: The ancient Greeks thought that amethyst stone could avoid intoxication and encourage insight.
Clear Quartz : So-called master healer that amplifies thoughts and intentions.
Blue Sapphire: This gem is linked to wisdom and truth according to the Egyptians and Sumerians.
Emerald: The gem of communication, clarity and creativity, known for its deep, lush greens, it is a precious stone.
These views usually have their roots in symbolic associations such as color psychology, cultural traditions and anecdotal stories. Take the example of the soothing purple colour of amethyst that can be reflective of calmness, and thus wearers correlate stress reliever with it. But that is not the science of symbolism. Let's move on to the science of it all now.
Read More - Healing Stones: The Ultimate Guide to Crystals for Healing
Contemporary science has failed to substantiate the conception that gemstones offer inherent healing or explanatory capabilities. Although many people have confirmed and claimed to feel calmer or more focused when wearing some stones, this is more to do with the placebo effect, which is a psychological behaviour whereby the belief of the person causes improvement rather than the treatment.
Science has not been able to find measurable energy transmission or cognitive enhancement output of gemstones. The brain is reacting to these objects as much as a matter of sense-making. Crystals are not capable of changing the brain chemistry or treating mental health disorders; they may, however, have energies that turn emotions of comfort.
The only science that applies here is of belief and energies. Science is also a belief, which is why we study it and so, whether you choose to believe in gems or not, will decide if they work for you.
More to read - The Science Behind Gemstone Healing: How They Really Work
Although these beliefs are not supported by empirical data, it is interesting to notice that the practice of using gemstones to achieve mental clarity still gains success. Why?
Ritual and Intention: When you place a stone in your hand when meditating or depositing it on a desk, you can think of it as a ritual. It helps you be calm, stabilise your thoughts and be mindful.
Symbolic Anchors: Gems create physical reminders on things as precious or as beautiful as gemstones, and in this case, these reminders may be used to remind oneself of personal intentions, such as clarity, calm and strength during the course of the day.
Sensory Comfort: The physical feeling of a smooth and cool stone may be very calming, similar to a fidget device.
Thus, gems are rather emotional aids, rather than magical artefacts: objects used to externalise and entrench inner emotions and states.
|
Aspect |
Myth |
Science |
|
Energy Emission |
Stones emit healing vibrations |
No measurable energy detected |
|
Mental Clarity |
Wearing stones improves focus and cognition |
Placebo effect may enhance perceived clarity |
|
Chakra Alignment |
Stones balance energy centers |
Chakras are symbolic, not scientifically proven |
|
Emotional Comfort |
Stones soothe anxiety and stress |
Sensory and symbolic comfort is real |
Further Reading - Are Gemstones Better Than Gold As an Investment?
