Using Crystals for Anxiety

Green stones, blue stones, yellow stones — crystals may be pretty, but some believe they are far more than that. In fact, throughout much of history, people have thought crystals can improve energies and even heal certain conditions, including reducing or getting rid of anxiety.

Believers that crystals have healing properties think that utilizing certain stones (such as rose quartz, black tourmaline and smoky quartz) can do things like remove negative energy and replace it with positive energy, bring about a sense of peace and calm, open up one’s heart chakra, promote a more peaceful sleep and mitigate stressful situations.

But can crystals really help with anxiety? And is there any scientific proof that they work? Keep reading to find out — but, first, read up a bit on anxiety in general. 

What is Anxiety?

There’s a difference between occasional anxiety (like the kind you feel before a job interview) and having an actual anxiety disorder. 

One of the most common anxiety disorders is called generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). To be diagnosed with GAD, you need to have difficulty controlling your anxiety more often than not over a six month time span. Other symptoms associated with GAD include an increased heart rate, hyperventilation, irritability, nervousness, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, stomach issues and more.

But GAD is not the only anxiety disorder. There are four other commonly diagnosed types: obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder and social anxiety disorder.

Can Crystals Help with Anxiety?

To cut to the chase: There is no scientific evidence showing that crystals are an effective treatment for anxiety — or any other mental health issues. 

So, why do some people think that crystals stones for anxiety are a thing? One theory is that crystals for anxiety (or any other condition) produce a placebo effect.

A study done in 2005 put forth this very idea that believing an object can heal you may actually lead to healing. Which means the healing powers of crystals might have more to do with the mind more than anything else. 

While there’s no evidence of crystals being able to treat anxiety, you may still be curious about how someone would use crystals for this purpose. Essentially, a crystal healer places specific types of crystals on or near different areas of your body. 

Often, these align with different chakra points (like the throat chakra or crown chakra).Chakras are a principle in eastern medicine and are thought to be areas of your body where energy is concentrated.

Other Ways to Treat Anxiety

If you want a more proven way to treat anxiety, there are plenty of other methods to consider. The following anxiety treatments have scientific proof to back them up.

Not sure how to determine what the right method is for you? Consider scheduling an appointment with a mental health professional to figure it out.

• Meditation: One study from 2013 found that 20 minutes of mindful meditation may lower anxiety by decreasing brain activity overall. While you meditate, you’ll want to strive for the concepts of awareness and acceptance. If you’re not sure where to start, consider downloading a guided meditation app. 

• Exercise: A review of studies found that exercising can lower stress and anxiety levels.In general, the recommendation is that adults should try to get 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity each week, plus do strengthening activities, like lifting weights, at least twice a week.

• Therapy: In-person or online therapy is a great solution for anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can often help with anxiety disorders. In CBT, you will learn to look at patterns that induce anxiety and identify ways to change those patterns.

• Medication: There are prescription medications that can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety. For anxiety disorders, your doctor may prescribe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), beta blockers or benzodiazepines.

Incorporating Crystal Healing For Anxiety

There is no evidence showing that crystals can actually help to heal anxiety. That said, they have been used since ancient times to help heal all sorts of physical and psychological ailments, including anxiety. 

Healing through crystals may be the placebo effect. But at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter what helps your anxiety — as long as you truly deal with it. Since crystal healing isn’t a proven method, you may want to look into other ways to treat anxiety, such as medication, therapy and lifestyle choices. 

To start tackling your anxiety and find the right treatment, schedule an evaluation for anxiety treatment online today.