In recent years, there has been a growing trend of women placing crystals in their bras or underwear. Proponents of this practice claim that keeping certain crystals close to the body can provide various benefits like enhancing fertility, attracting love, increasing confidence, and more. However, the origins and efficacy of this practice are widely debated. This article will explore the history, purported benefits, and scientific evidence behind keeping crystals in bras.
History and Origins
The exact origins of placing crystals in bras are unclear, but this practice seems to have roots in crystal healing and traditional metaphysical beliefs. Crystal healing is an alternative medical technique that utilizes crystals and gemstones to improve physical, emotional, and spiritual health. This is based on the idea that crystals can act as conduits for healing energy from the universe/Earth.
Some key points on the history of crystal healing:
- Traces back at least 6,000 years to the time of the ancient Sumerians
- Gemstones were commonly used for medicinal purposes in ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Indian cultures
- Crystal healing saw a revival in Western culture during the 19th century New Age spiritual movement
- Rose quartz, amethyst, obsidian, and clear quartz are some of the most commonly used crystals
As for placing them specifically in bras, this may have emerged from the intimate nature of undergarments. Crystals kept close to the skin and near the heart/breasts allow for maximal energy transfer according to crystal healers. The practice has become especially popular through celebrities and social media influencers touting its benefits.
Purported Benefits
There are many ascribed benefits to keeping crystals in your bra or underwear. However, most of these proclaimed benefits are anecdotal and spiritual rather than scientifically proven. Some of the main benefits include:
Improved Fertility
Many believe that crystals like carnelian, moonstone, rose quartz, and others can help boost fertility if worn over the womb. These “fertility crystals” are thought to promote hormonal balance, healthy menstruation, and conception. However, no studies confirm this effect.
Increased Libido
Crystals like carnelian and jade are claimed to boost libido and awaken sexual energy. While their bright colors may have a placebo effect, there is no evidence that they biologically enhance sex drive.
Attracting Love
Rose quartz and rhodochrosite in bras are commonly used to attract romantic love and self-love. Adherents believe their vibrational energies manifest love, but scientific confirmation is lacking.
Enhanced Confidence
Wearing empowering crystals like citrine, carnelian, and tiger’s eye near the heart is said to promote confidence, courage, and self-esteem. This is another unproven psychological effect.
Reduced Stress and Anxiety
Stress-relieving crystals like amethyst, blue lace agate, and lepidolite worn in a bra may induce calmness through placebo. But studies are needed on crystalline effects on mood.
Protection Against Negative Energy
Black tourmaline and obsidian in bras are thought to provide psychic protection by absorbing negative energy. But no scientific mechanism supports crystals neutralizing bad vibes.
Better Sleep
Crystals like amethyst, citrine, and yellow jade are claimed to promote deeper, more restful sleep when placed in night clothes. However, high-quality studies demonstrating this are absent.
Boost In Energy
Wearing crystals like carnelian, citrine, and red jasper allegedly stabilizes energies and leaves people feeling more motivated and energized. But these energy changes are subjective and psychological rather than physiological.
Scientific Evidence
Despite widespread anecdotal claims of crystal benefits, the scientific evidence for crystal healing is scant:
- No studies confirm that crystals emit unique energetic vibrations or frequencies that could impact health.
- Crystals lack specific bioactive ingredients that could provide medicinal effects.
- Placebo-controlled studies find no differences between crystals and placebo crystals in effects on mood, stress, pain, or other metrics.
- Purported impacts on hormones and fertility lack clinical research support.
- Any benefits likely stem from psychological placebo, relaxation, and meditation.
Overall, objective analyses conclude that crystal healing practices have no basis in science. Their powers derive from mystical beliefs in their esoteric properties. Any positive outcomes are likely tied to the placebo effect and subjective biases. More double-blind trials are needed before the medical utility of crystal healing can be firmly evaluated.
Potential Risks and Side Effects
There are a few potential downsides to consider with keeping crystals in your bra:
- Without proper cleaning, bacteria and dirt can collect on crystals worn close to the skin and lead to infections.
- Cheaper crystals may leach toxic metals or chemicals that can irritate skin.
- Prolonged friction from rough crystal edges may cause skin abrasions or lesions.
- New Age beliefs around crystals may discourage seeking proper medical care and taking medications when ill.
- Crystals can be costly, especially for purported rarer healing stones, leading to potential scams and wasted money.
However, these risks are generally minor if proper crystal hygiene and care is followed. Those with sensitive skin may wish to take extra precautions or avoid prolonged direct contact with crystals.
Types of Crystals and Their Meanings
There are many crystals touted for use in bras. Some of the most popular choices are:
Rose Quartz
Its soft pink color is associated with love, compassion, emotional healing, and opening the heart chakra. It is arguably the most popular crystal for bras to attract love and self-love.
Carnelian
This orange-hued stone is linked to energy, sexuality, fertility, motivation, and female reproductive wellness. It is often used to boost libido and energy.
Jade
Jade is thought to inspire wisdom, harmony, prosperity, and peace. Different colors have added meanings, with green jade used to attract love and yellow jade believed to promote cheerful moods.
Moonstone
Its calming lunar white sheen is believed to help stabilize female hormone cycles, ease menstrual symptoms, and enhance intuition and fertility.
Amethyst
This purple crystal is perhaps the most widely used for promoting calm, clarity, and restful sleep. It purportedly helps reduce stress and connect to one’s higher self.
Clear Quartz
Considered the “master healer”, clear quartz is thought to amplify energies of other crystals and intentions set upon them. It helps mindfulness and positivity.
Obsidian
With its protective dark sheen, obsidian is used to shield against negativity and psychic attacks. It is also thought to clear emotional blockages and trauma.
Tiger’s Eye
This grounding stone aids personal empowerment, willpower, confidence, and manifesting goals. It brings vitality and dispels fears and self-doubt when worn near the solar plexus.
How to Choose, Cleanse, and Charge Crystals
If interested in trying crystals in your bra, here are some tips:
Choosing Your Crystals
- Pick crystals associated with your intention (love, fertility, confidence, etc).
- Choose styles you find visually appealing.
- Raw, tumbled, geode, and pendant forms work well in bras.
- Larger crystals may be uncomfortable – stick to smaller 1” or less stones.
- Avoid fragile crystals that can break, like selenite.
Cleansing Crystals
- Cleanse new crystals before use by leaving in sunlight, burying in earth, or passing through incense smoke.
- Regularly cleanse by placing under running water or in salt baths.
- Avoid cleansing fragile crystals like selenite and kyanite in water.
- Clean off any tarnishing, dirt, or residues.
Charging Crystals
- Recharge crystal energies by leaving in moonlight or sunlight for up to 24 hours.
- You can charge on crystal clusters or next to clear quartz.
- Set your intentions while charging the crystals.
- Speak, meditate, or visualize your goals infusing into the stones.
Conclusion
While the metaphysical benefits of crystals remain scientifically unproven, more women are inserting them in bras for purported advantages like enhanced fertility, libido, and confidence. Motivations range from New Age spiritualism to mystical aestheticism. Despite lack of clinical evidence, their allure persists. Still, potential minor risks like skin irritation, infections, and medical avoidance exist. But basic safety measures can avert most issues. Ultimately, whether crystals yield any advantages comes down to personal beliefs and experiences. Their intimate placement in bras allows maximum putative energy exchange. Those interested can pick suitable stones, cleanse and charge them, and tap into inner mystical dimensions. But restraint and skepticism is warranted until robust placebo-controlled studies demonstrate tangible lasting impacts on wearers. For now, crystals in bras reside largely in the realm of enchanting myth and enticing ritual. Their intimate powers spur intrigue, but perhaps reveal more about human psychology and desire than any unknown healing energies.