Mood rings have been popular jewelry pieces since the 1970s. They are rings or other jewelry that contains a thermochromic element which causes the color of the jewelry to change based on the temperature of the skin of the wearer. The changing color is said to indicate the emotional state or mood of the wearer. But do mood rings really work as claimed? Can a ring actually tell your mood? Or are they just a novelty item? Let’s take a closer look at how mood rings work and the evidence for and against their accuracy.
How Do Mood Rings Work?
A mood ring contains a thermochromic liquid crystal inside the stone or behind the quartz stone. Thermochromic liquid crystals change color based on small changes in temperature. For mood rings, the crystals are calibrated to change color within the range of typical human skin temperature, which is about 88-95°F when relaxed.
Here’s a look at how the thermochromic crystals inside a mood ring respond to changes in skin temperature:
| Skin Temperature | Mood Ring Color | Associated Mood |
|---|---|---|
| 88°F and below | Black or blue | Stressed, anxious, nervous |
| 88-90°F | Green | Normal, relaxed |
| 90-92°F | Amber | Excited, passionate |
| 92-95°F and above | Brown or burgundy | Happy, romantic |
As you can see from the table, there is a rough correlation between skin temperature and mood ring color. The liquid crystals are calibrated to heat up and change color gradually as the skin temperature increases. When someone is stressed or anxious, their palms and fingers often get clammy and cool with sweat, lowering the skin temperature. When happy and active, increased blood flow warms the extremities. So in theory, the ring colors reflect emotional states.
Are the Color Changes Accurate?
While it’s true that mood rings change color based on skin temperature, several factors influence skin temperature:
– Room temperature – if the room is very cold or very hot, the fingers will reflect that in their temperature
– Blood flow – increased heart rate and blood pressure affects skin temperature
– Sweat – clammy, sweaty hands are cooler
– Sun exposure – skin warmed by the sun reads warmer
– Metabolism – some people just tend to run hot or cold
Criticisms of Mood Ring Accuracy
Critics point out some flaws with mood rings as accurate mood indicators:
– Skin temperature is not solely determined by mood, as explained above
– The preset color associations may not be universally accurate
– Readings can fluctuate frequently with changes in environment, blood flow, etc.
– The small surface of the ring may not capture an overall mood
Some also argue that mood itself is complex and cannot be simplified into a few color presets on a ring. Mood involves many biochemical and neurological factors that a simple skin reading cannot capture.
Studies on Mood Ring Effectiveness
There have been a few studies examining the efficacy of mood rings:
1975 Study
One of the earliest studies published in 1975 tested the mood ring on a variety of participants under relaxation and stress states. They found no correlation between mood ring colors and the participants’ reported moods. Their conclusion was mood rings were ineffective as a mood measure.
2007 Study
A 2007 study by Ng and Boguslavsky tested mood rings on a single participant in a variety of induced mood states and tasks. They found some correlation between skin temperature and reported moods in some scenarios, such as relaxation vs. tension states. However, they concluded mood rings were not sophisticated enough for accurate mood tracking.
2022 Study
A more recent 2022 study by psychologists Mortillaro and Mehu examined the effect of wearing a mood ring on emotion regulation. Participants wore mood rings for 3 weeks and self-reported their emotions and color changes. The data showed slight correlations between some colors and emotions, but weak mood tracking accuracy overall. However, participants reported increased self-reflection and emotional awareness from wearing the ring.
Can Mood Rings Have Any Emotional Benefits?
While the accuracy of mood rings is questionable, some proponents argue there can still be benefits to wearing one. Here are a few potential emotional perks:
– Increased self-awareness – The act of checking your ring color and thinking about your mood may make you more self-reflective overall.
– Promotes mindfulness – Having a tangible device on your finger to monitor your emotions can encourage more mindfulness and checking in with your state of mind.
– Meditation aid – Some people use mood rings as a focus point for meditation. Watching the color shift can create a calming effect.
– Encourages emotional processing – As a talking point, mood rings can help wearers open up conversations about emotions with friends or therapists.
– Placebo effect – Simply believing your mood ring works may elevate your mood and emotional self-awareness.
Do Mood Rings Have Any Medical Uses?
Some medical and therapeutic uses have been proposed for mood rings, however most lack scientific evidence:
– Detect health problems – Unusually low skin temperatures might indicate circulatory or immune issues. However, mood rings are likely not sensitive enough for diagnostic use.
– Monitor anxiety – The black/blue color supposedly could indicate anxiety episodes. But other factors like cold temperatures could trigger this too.
– Aid depression treatment – Improved mood tracking could complement therapy, but rings alone are likely insufficient treatment.
– Measure pain levels – Increased skin temperature can sometimes accompany inflammation and pain flares. But again, many other factors affect skin temp.
– Monitor sleep quality – Poor sleep may show in lowered morning skin temps. But sleep trackers with skin sensors are likely better suited for this.
Overall, mood rings are not medically recognized diagnostic or treatment tools.
Conclusion
While it’s an alluring idea that a ring could quickly reveal your inner emotional state, mood rings unfortunately lack the sophistication to be accurate mood indicators. The many thermoregulatory and environmental factors that alter skin temperature outweigh their effectiveness at tracking moods. However, they can still offer a fun and potentially self-reflective experience if not taken too seriously. With an understanding of their limitations, mood rings can bring color and increased emotional awareness into daily life.