I Was Skeptical About "High-Vibe" Fabrics That Could Raise Your Frequency, But There May Actually Be Something To It

Have you ever considered how the "frequency" of your bedding could be impacting your sleep? Whether you believe it or not, it's clear that fabrics matter

Minimalist linen bedding
(Image credit: Cultiver)

Perhaps even quirkier than sage smudge sticks or blowing cinnamon through my doorway, my latest wellness obsession is something you might’ve seen on social media recently: the frequency of bedding. Now, if your first thought was, "What?..." you're not alone. (That's exactly the response I got from my editor.) But please, allow me to explain.

We talk a lot about energy — the "good," the "bad," the low, and the high. The idea here is that everything, including us and even the fabrics we use, has an energetic frequency. This means that, as energetic beings, we interact with these frequencies, and in doing so, the materials we surround ourselves with — yes, including our bedding sets — can either boost or drain our energy.

After seeing Instagram videos on fabric frequency racking up 4.5 million views, I was curious: is this real?! Opinions are mixed. Proponents like Janet Rae Orth, a Tucson-based clairvoyant and energy healer, believes that “Materials that are natural, or remain closest to their natural form with minimal processing, will have higher frequencies,” which she says can help us “ground and release energy,” and leaving us refreshed.

She likens low-frequency fabrics (think microfiber, jersey, or sateen) to rush-hour traffic, noting that they cause "tension and stress in the body," constricting muscles, increasing heart rate, and making our breath shallow, which can lead to inflammation and drain vitality over time (a.k.a. the opposite of our sleeping goals). High-frequency bed linens, she claims, “restore the body, encourage deeper breaths, and help us feel rested.”

But as you'd expect with something like this, not everyone agrees (and I feel it's my duty to present both sides). One such skeptic includes Avi Sherbill, an LA-based sound and meditation healer, and the founder of SoundRX. “Fabric frequency isn’t real,” he tells me plainly, pointing out that many of these claims come from speculative, unscientific research that has not been peer-reviewed.

He does, however, agree that there are benefits to natural types of bedding. Linen’s moisture-wicking and breathability reduce bacterial growth, he says, while synthetics like acrylic “have been linked to cancer."

He goes on to add that "Polyester isn’t breathable, sheds microplastics, and dyed fabrics may contain harmful heavy metals, like lead," and that "Wrinkle-resistant fabrics are often treated with PFAS chemicals.” Yikes.

So, no matter where you sit on the argument on whether fabric frequency is fact or fiction, it's clear there is something to be said about opting to sleep in natural materials. Whether it's their "high vibes" or simply their higher quality construction, below, we've shared the fabrics to invest in.

The Best "High Vibe" Bedding

Wool

Linen

Organic Cotton

Bamboo

Flannel

Julia Demer
Style Editor

Formerly covering fashion at L’Officiel USA, style maven Julia Demer brings her love of design to Livingetc’s world of interiors. As the title’s New York-based Style Editor, Julia's work reflects a sharp eye for detail and an innate passion for aesthetics. Her journey began with a strong foundation in design, honing her craft at renowned establishments like The Row and even establishing her own eponymous fashion brand. Julia’s design background is evident in the way she thoughtfully curates shopping edits, always maintaining a focus on emerging trends while preserving timeless sensibilities. For Julia, fashion and interiors go hand in hand, reflecting her lifelong commitment to perfecting the art of style.