The Rise of Conspirituality: A Dangerous Intersection of Wellness and Conspiracy
We’ve all noticed that friend of a friend online, the one who embraced sobriety during lockdown, eliminated sugar, and began sharing everything from hardcore juice cleanses to daily gratitude rituals. She’s skeptical of modern medicine, and there’s chatter that she declined the Covid vaccine. Rumors swirl that she’s left for Bali to pursue a career as a yoga instructor, distancing herself from friends deemed misaligned with her “energy.” Meanwhile, a mutual acquaintance reveals concern over her increasingly detached reality.
Understanding the Trend
This scenario isn’t unique. Since the pandemic’s onset, numerous analyses have outlined how wellness and spirituality movements have given rise to right-wing ideologies and conspiratorial thinking. Misinformation is proliferating through people styling themselves as wellness gurus. In the U.S., individuals like Kelly Brogan, a so-called “holistic psychologist” known for promoting disproven conspiracy theories, exemplify this shift. Brogan went viral in 2020 for suggesting that Covid-19 might not exist, dismissing virus-related deaths as attributable to fear. Others, such as JZ Knight and Amy Carlson, have also perpetuated extreme beliefs and harmful practices in the wellness space.
Conspirituality and Its Impact
The launch of the Conspirituality podcast marks a critical response to this trend, illuminating the unusual crossover between wellness culture and right-wing conspiracy theorists. Produced in the wake of viral anti-vaccine documentaries, this podcast delves into everything from New Age cults (including episodes on CrossFit) to climate denialism, revealing the complexities of this convergence.
The Origin of the Term
While often viewed through an American lens, the term “conspirituality” originated in the UK. Charlotte Ward and David Voas introduced the concept in a 2011 Journal of Contemporary Religion paper, which highlighted a synthesis of women-centric New Age beliefs and male-dominated conspiracy theories. This troubling trend reflects a growing movement that blends personal empowerment with a distrust of established societal norms, such as science and politics.
Experts Weigh In
According to Voas, the pandemic served as a tipping point for this movement, thrusting previously marginal ideas into the mainstream. He notes that distrust of authority can lead individuals to embrace fringe beliefs that resonate with personal narratives or suspicions. “Conspirituality is crowd-sourced knowledge; if many people believe something, it lends validity to their claims,” he explains.
The Global Trend of Distrust
Though conspirituality appears prominently in the United States, experts warn that it’s a global trend gaining traction everywhere, including the UK. Polly Shute, founder of the LGBT+ wellness festival Out & Wild, observes the wellness industry’s increasing growth, particularly post-Covid, and how it can easily become commercialized and politically manipulated.
People are increasingly drawn to wellness communities for alternative solutions amid widespread political and financial instability.
Coping with a Complex World
Ultimately, conspirituality may serve as a coping mechanism for those grappling with uncertainty in today’s chaotic world. “With everything in flux, tolerance for ambiguity is being deeply tested,” says Hamira Riaz from the British Psychological Society. She notes that conspiracy theories often appeal to individuals with lower tolerance for ambiguity, providing them with simplified narratives that ease their cognitive burdens.
The challenge arises when such coping strategies adopt harmful practices or extremist ideologies. It’s essential to discern between seeking clarity and nurturing dangerous beliefs, as many individuals are unwittingly adopting more radical viewpoints than they may realize.
The Rise of Conspirituality: Navigating Wellness and Conspiracy Theories
In recent years, a peculiar phenomenon known as conspirituality has emerged, merging the realms of wellness and conspiracy theories. This trend highlights a deeper shift in societal attitudes, particularly following the global pandemic, where individuals are increasingly drawn to alternative health and wellness ideologies that often blur the lines of conventional beliefs.
The Wellness Trend Post-Pandemic
The pandemic has catalyzed a surge in wellness practices, sparking interest in holistic healing, mindfulness, and alternative health paradigms. Many sought solace in yoga, meditation, and detox diets, while simultaneously expressing skepticism toward established medical institutions. This rise in alternative lifestyles serves as both a coping mechanism and an exploration of personal agency.
Conspirituality: A New Intersection
Conspirituality is characterized by a fusion of New Age beliefs and conspiratorial ideologies. Individuals find validation in unconventional sources and embrace narratives that challenge traditional authority. This blending of wellness and skepticism can serve as a powerful allure, drawing followers into a community that promotes shared beliefs while often disregarding scientific evidence.
Influence of Misinformation
The spread of misinformation has become rampant, particularly on social media platforms where charismatic figures promote dubious health advice under the guise of wellness. This environment fosters a culture of distrust toward mainstream science and medicine, creating a fertile ground for conspiracy theories to take root and flourish.
The Role of Social Media
Social media serves as both a catalyst and a breeding ground for conspirituality. Platforms where wellness influencers thrive allow for quick dissemination of potentially harmful ideas, shaping perceptions about health, wellness, and medicine. The accessibility of alternative viewpoints encourages individuals to seek “answers” that often align with their personal beliefs, rather than established facts.
A Global Trend in the Making
While conspirituality appears particularly prevalent in the United States, experts indicate that this trend is emerging globally. As individuals grapple with political and economic instability, the search for meaning and clarity in a chaotic world leads many to adopt extreme viewpoints that resonate with their lived experiences.
Addressing the Underlying Issues
Understanding conspirituality requires recognizing the social and psychological factors at play. The focus on wellness as a response to societal disillusionment echoes a broader need for belonging and understanding in turbulent times. By addressing the root causes of this movement, we can better navigate its implications and potentially guide those caught in its web toward more balanced perspectives.
Concluding Thoughts
The relationship between wellness and conspiratorial thinking underscores profound shifts in societal beliefs. As individuals continue to seek meaning and community, it’s crucial to foster dialogues that promote critical thinking and a greater understanding of science. In doing so, we can help mitigate the influences of harmful ideologies while embracing the positive aspects of wellness culture.
