Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I've seen these necklaces all over the place. A few of my friends have even used them for their children, and they swear by them. But I'm a chemist, and I like empirical evidence, so of course I had to research this. I have come to the conclusion that these necklaces don't actually work, and yet, at the same time, they do work. Let me explain. The most plausible reason I've seen is that Baltic amber contains succinic acid that is released when the amber is warmed by skin contact. The absorbed succinic acid has an analgesic (painkilling) effect, which helps stop teething pain and discomfort. This sounds completely reasonable until you actually research the science behind the claim. Baltic amber (also known as succinite) does actually contain succinic acid (approximately 3-8%), but that's about where the truth to the claim ends. Most of the succinc acid in Baltic amber is part of the polymer framework of the amber. In other words, it is bound and can't be released without destroying the structure. Unbound succinic acid is present, but then you're looking at a small fraction of that 3-8%, which then gets even smaller when you consider that only a tiny amount of the amber (just the surface) is in contact with the skin. That's strike one. The unbound succinic acid is a solid at room temperature. Its melting point is 363 °F, so it is definitely not liquefying from the warmth of human skin. Succinic acid is water soluble, so it could be dissolved if it comes in contact with water/sweat, but then that would require the baby to be damp/sweaty all the time for it to work. That's strike two. There's also no evidence that succinic acid is an analgesic. So even if it does somehow make it's way out of the amber and into the skin, it won't do anything for pain. That's strike three. So then how do you explain the numerous parental accounts of this product working for their teething children? Well, there's an effect called "placebo by proxy" that I believe is the cause. It's very similar to the regular placebo effect that most people are familiar with, except babies are not cognitively developed enough to expect a result from a treatment that may or may not be a placebo. However, they are very good at determining their parents' moods/emotions and reacting to them, so that's how placebo by proxy works. If parents are happier and calmer because they think this amber necklace works, then chances are the baby will also be happier and calmer, even if the necklace isn't reducing any pain or discomfort. If more research is done, and something else is discovered to be the cause for why these work, then I'll happily change my mind. Until then, I don't believe there is a chemical explanation. With all that said, I purchased this as part of a gift for a baby shower, and it was well-received! I gave it 4 stars because the necklace is beautiful and well-made, regardless of whether or not it works. There are definitely some safety precautions that must be taken, but I don't think this necklace is unsafe. It is not meant to be chewed, and if it is long enough for the baby to put in his/her mouth, then it is too long and shouldn't be worn until the baby is older. It obviously shouldn't be worn without supervision, and that includes while sleeping. I have seen some put it on the baby's ankle while they sleep, and that seems safe, but it is ultimately up to the parents to decide if they want to use it that way. If you decide to try this necklace, I hope it works for you!