A placebo effect is defined as,”a beneficial effect, produced by a placebo drug or treatment, that cannot be attributed to the properties of the placebo itself, and must therefore be due to the patient's belief in that treatment”( Merriam-Webster, Collegiate dictionary,10th edition.). Crystal healing is nothing more than a placebo effect, and consequently is not a reliable source of medical treatment.
The major flaw in the belief of crystal healing, is the evidence of placebo effects. In 2001, a study in Rome was held, “ 80 people filled out a questionnaire designed to gauge their level of belief in “paranormal” phenomena. Later, the study team asked everyone to meditate for five minutes while holding either a real quartz crystal or a counterfeit crystal made of glass.” (Markham Heid,Time). The study found that an equal number of participants who received the fake crystal, felt the same sensations as those who received the real crystal, in the case of the study it was clear quartz. Another study was also done in 2001 at Goldsmiths College, at the University of London. 80 similar people were given either a fake or real crystal, and told to meditate.”However, the strength