-Caveat Lector- Scientists Find New Age Crystal Power All In The Mind By David Derbyshire and Celia Hall 3-29-1 http://www.telegraph.co.uk:80/ Scientists may have shattered one of the fundamental beliefs of the New Age movement: that dangling a crystal around the neck raises personal energy levels and uplifts the spirit. A study has shown that the sensations reported by believers in crystals - such as tingling, warmth and feelings of wellbeing - come instead from the power of suggestion. When given cheap, fake crystals, people reported exactly the same mysterious sensations as when they handle the genuine articles. The belief that quartz and semi-precious stones contain a subtle power unknown to science is a key part of the New Age industry. Crystals, it is claimed, can alleviate stress, boost creativity, cure disease, raise levels of consciousness and enhance psychic powers in areas such as divination and dowsing. Three years ago, Cherie Blair caused a stir when she appeared at a film premiere wearing what appeared to be an expensive crystal pendant designed to shield the body from mobile phone and computer radiation. Dr Christopher French, a psychologist at Goldsmith's College, London, set out to test the effects of crystals on 80 volunteers. Half were given a genuine New Age crystal for a few minutes while mediating. The rest were asked to handle a cheap plastic fake, but were told that it was the genuine article. The volunteers were also given a booklet explaining 10 of the sensations that they might experience. These included tingling, more focused attention, balanced emotions, a rise in hand temperature, increased energy levels, improved sense of wellbeing, relaxation of the forehead, stimulation of the brain, increased swallowing reflex and "activation of all levels of consciousness". Only six out of the 80 failed to experience at least one of these sensations. The most common sensations reported were a warmer hand and increased concentration, Dr French told the British Psychological Society conference in Glasgow yesterday. But Dr French found no difference in the sensations reported by those holding a real quartz crystal and those given a fake. Believers in crystals were also twice as likely to report a sensation than self-professed sceptics. Dr French also looked at how susceptible the volunteers were to suggestion and hypnotism. He found that believers were far more susceptible to suggestions than the sceptics. "The fact that the same effects were found with both genuine and fake crystals undermines any claims that crystals have the mysterious powers which they are claimed to have," he said. "The power of suggestion, either explicit or implicit, seems to be the not-so-mysterious power that may convince many that crystals have the potential to work miracles. The data presented are consistent with the idea that believers in the paranormal are more susceptible to this power." Dr Richard Wiseman, psychologist at the University of Hertfordshire in Hatfield and a researcher into paranormal claims, said: "It is suggestive that the power of crystals is in the mind instead of in the crystals. Clearly there is an effect, But people are paying hundreds of pounds for crystal and they might as well pay just a couple of quid." ================================================================= Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh, YHVH, TZEVAOT FROM THE DESK OF: *Michael Spitzer* <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Best Way To Destroy Enemies Is To Change Them To Friends ================================================================= <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
