Crystals are all the rage. It began a few years ago when Vanity Fair proclaimed the water bottles would be THE status symbol of 2018. Since then, celebrities, like Gwyneth Paltrow, Victoria Beckham, and Miranda Kerr, have all sung their praises. It has been known for people to carry their crystals with them to maximise their potential. But infusing crystals in our water? Here’s everything you need to know about crystal water bottle
What are Crystal Water Bottles?
Crystals can transfer their energy to other objects they’re placed next to. So in addition to sleeping with a crystal under your pillow or holding them whilst meditating, having one in your water bottle will manifest its positive energy and power.
These trendy devices hit the mainstream media sometime during 2018, and the industry took off. Crystal water bottles are like everyday water bottles, except for the fact that there are healing crystals fitted into the base of the device.
When crystals are infused with water, they produce an elixir that helps clear your mind and get rid of those negative thoughts hanging over your head. And don’t worry, having a crystal water bottle won’t change the taste of your drink.
Charging water with healing crystals is an ancient practice. There is evidence to suggest that civilizations as early as the Mayans used crystals to purify their water supplies. In addition, Native Americans have, for centuries, used crystals for an array of reasons, including to bring energetic balance into substances that they believed were lacking in balance.
Why use crystals?
Many people believe that holding, rubbing, or placing crystals on the body can help to re-balance the body’s energy field, resulting in lower levels of: stress, anxiety, depression, and physical pain.
Different crystals are said to offer different benefits. For example:
- Clear quartz. This crystal is a “master healer” used to improve immunity, memory, and focus.
- Rose quartz. This crystal is used to help improve interpersonal relationships.
- Obsidian. This crystal is used to help improve internal clarity and give the user a greater sense of purpose.
The crystal water bottle logic
Gemstones are believed to transfer their energy directly into water, thereby affecting the water’s structure, oxygen levels, and pH levels.
Gemstones absorb energy from light, heat, and pressure and convert it into electric energy, each emitting a unique frequency. This is why quartz is used in watches, mobile phones, radar, and equipment. These frequencies can affect the water when crystals are placed in the container.
A good way to understand the concept is to think of it like heat or light energy. Just as putting ice all around a glass of water rather than in the water itself will still cool it, or shining a torch through a glass will still light up the water, putting gemstones around your water will still energize it.
Are there any real benefits?
When it comes to science, there are likely no measurable benefits to using crystal-infused water bottles.
There currently isn’t any research to show that drinking crystal-infused water or using a crystal-infused bottle offers any health benefits.
That said, Bailey thinks crystals may have some merit based on the power of belief.
Jerry Bailey, functional medicine practitioner at Lakeside Holistic Health said “If we take into account the ritual or spiritual effects of using crystals and the power of having belief in their powers or healing abilities, those aspects work just as well as prayer and meditation would on the body and mind,”.
In Bailey’s opinion, the psychological benefits of using crystal water bottles might be just as powerful as any changes in frequency or electrical charge of the water itself.
“Just because we don’t have a double-blind clinical study showing that a crystal will, in fact, change physiology, it doesn’t mean it can’t have an effect on how your body calms itself or restores itself to a parasympathetic or relaxed state,” he says.
In other words, simply feeling as though your crystal supports your health may be enough. Bailey encourages his patients who use crystal water bottles to continue for this reason.
“They believe and feel that it helps them, so by any means or measure, that is a success towards their ultimate health goals. Sometimes a belief in something is all we need to help improve our health, mind, and wellness.” he says.
In other words, any benefits of crystal-infused water bottles are likely from the placebo effect.
According to a 2020 review, placebo effects have been associated with the release of endogenous opioids or endorphins, endocannabinoids, dopamine, oxytocin, and vasopressin.
The placebo effect is well-documented in research as a powerful force. According to a 2018 study, placebos are routinely used in treatment by general practitioners.
Is it safe?
While there’s no medical reason to use a crystal water bottle, it’s likely safe if you follow a few precautions.
If you want to use a crystal water bottle, do your research to find a reputable brand with crystals in a separate chamber from the water. It’s also best to find a brand that doesn’t use adhesive, glue, or metal wire to secure the crystal in place.
Don’t put crystals directly into your water. While some crystals aren’t harmful in water, others can be dangerous.
According to the International Gem Society, there are numerous gems that can make your water toxic to drink, including algodonite, azurite, cinnabite, moonstone, and pyrite.
Types of Crystal Water Bottles
It didn’t take long for just about every health and wellness brand to hop on the gem water bottles production train. Having water bottles with crystals at the head of your yoga mat, or next to your spinning bicycle, almost became a subtle announcement to the world that “I care about my body, mind, and spirit, okay?”
There are certain crystals that are not recommended to be submerged into drinking water, and these are usually avoided by reputable brands. There are a few notable crystals that are used most often, and we’ll list these shortly.
Before we do, know that there are two main ways for brands to implant their crystals into the bottles in question. The most popular type you’ll find are the units where the crystals are housed in a long, thin dome-like structure in the bottom of the bottle. This dome becomes like a protective casing for the crystals, meaning they are never in direct contact with the water. It is believed by some that this is the most hygienic way of infusing water with crystals.
Other types of healing crystal water bottles don’t seal off their crystals from touching the water. The crystals are stuck to the base of the bottle, and shoot up through the center of the unit, leaving space for water to flow all around them. These crystals make direct contact with the water and some believe these are more effective in transferring the healing properties across.
How to use a crystal-infused water bottle
If you want to get the most out of your crystal-infused water bottle, it’s important to follow the instructions provided.
In most cases, you’ll probably be instructed to wait around 10 minutes before you start drinking.
The change to the water molecules made by gemstones happens in around 7 minutes. The shape of the container holding it, the length and material of pipes it may have travelled through, the substances or objects it comes into contact with all affect the quality of water.
Some companies may also instruct you to “charge” your crystal before using it in your water bottle. A few ways to charge your crystal include:
- holding it intentionally for several minutes
- putting it in direct sunlight for an hour
- burying it in sea salt overnight
- using sound, like a singing bowl, bell, or drum.
The takeaway
While it’s unlikely that crystal-infused water bottles have any measurable health effects, there’s power in the placebo effect.
Simply feeling that your water bottle helps you may lead to a sense of ease, balance, and well-being, which is nothing to sneeze at.
As long as you choose a water bottle that’s safe to use, follow the instructions, and don‘t replace medical care with crystals, there’s no harm in giving it a try.