WHY

WOO-WOO
WORKS?
THE SURPRISING
SCIENCE BEHIND
M E D I TAT I O N , R E I K I ,
C R Y S TA L S A N D
O T H E R A LT E R N AT I V E
PRACTICES Twinkle Gupta
2047193
MADS 6718 V3
Prof. Sydney Scott 1
 CONTENT
• Background- Book and Author
• What is Woo-Woo?
• The Placebo effect & Belief
• Scientific Explanations
• Butterfly effect
• Learnings
• Comments on Book
• References

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 BACKGROUND
Author- David R. Hamilton
Background in chemistry and
biology
Former pharmaceutical scientist
Writer & Public Speaker
Purpose of the Book
• Bridge gap between science and spirituality
• Scientific explanations for spiritual
practices
• Evidence for “woo-woo” practices
• Encourage a holistic approach to health

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 The Power of Belief: A Journey from
Pharmaceuticals to Mind-Body Wellness

“Well, during my time in the pharmaceutical

industry, I was fascinated by the placebo
effect – how people improve through believing
they are receiving a drug – so I began to study
mind-body interactions in my spare time. I
decided to leave the pharmaceutical industry
after 4 years because I wanted to educate
about the mind-body connection, help people
to believe in themselves more, and spread a
little more kindness in the world in my own
way.”
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 Intended Audience
 General Readers
 Curious about science and spirituality
 No background in science required
 Spiritual Speakers
 Interested in personal growth
 Scientific perspective on transformation
 Health & Wellness Enthusiasts
 Alternative therapies and mind-body
practices
 Explore scientific underpinnings
 Skeptics & Scientists
 Challenge preconceived notions
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 Encourage open-minded exploration
 WHAT IS WOO-WOO?
•Unconventional Beliefs regarded as having little or no scientific basis,
especially those relating to spirituality, mysticism or alternative
medicine- (Hamilton, 2021).

•“If alternative medicine worked, it wouldn’t be called alternative

medicine, it would be called medicine.” This is poor logic — everything
known to work was once not known to work (Halcyon, n.d.).

• used to dismiss unconventional ideas or practices-

 Astrology
 Crystal healings
 Aura readings
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 The Placebo Effect and Belief

Placebo- I shall Please

(Suzanne, 2013).

They aren't getting better;

they think they are getting
better (Hamilton, 2021).

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 Mind-Body Connection
• Perception matters, biology follows
perception (Hamilton,2021).
• Nocebo effect- I shall harm
(Suzanne, 2013).
• Responding to side effects of the
drugs, but taking placebo.

• Doctor-Patient Relationship

• Benefits in healthcare: Placebo-

related dose reduction-
autoimmune disorders and organ
transplants,
• cost savings,
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• fewer side effects.
R E A L V S I M A G I N A RY

The brain doesn't distinguish between

real and imaginary (Hamilton,2021).

Beliefs Chemical Natural

Changes chemicals in
body 9
10
 Visualization
The process of developing mental
images of what you desire for
yourself, and your life

imagining what it would be like if

you accomplished (BetterHelp,
2023).

Requires training mind.

Better results when paired with

activity.
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University of Cincinnati
chronic stroke research
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Affirmations And Mantras
Affirmations are phrases when
repeated, have the power to modify
negative mental habits and stimulate
positive thinking, self-esteem, and
motivation (Goldman, 2022).

Mantra- Manas (MIND) and tra

(TOOLS).

Mantras  mystical utterances with

significant spiritual significance
Affirmations  positive words.
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 Meditation

• Not all meditations are mantra based

• Focusing on one’s breathing, being mindful.

• Mindfulness practice strengthens the

dorsolateral prefrontal cortex region—the
brain's center for self-control,
concentration, and positive emotions
(Tomasino & Fabbro, 2016).

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 Substance Abuse and
Physiological Benefits: Telomeres and Meditation:
Meditation:
• reduces relapse • meditation reduces • Slower telomere
chances aging by reducing loss in loving-
• helps in becoming inflammation and by kindness
aware of urges reducing stress meditation.
without giving in. • anti-inflammatory • Repetition of
• alters brain effect involves the phrases slowly on
receptors linked to vagus nerve. the out breath.
drug and alcohol
use.

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 Emotional Freedom
The body is a mirror of our mental and emotional
states. The mind affects the body, and the body
affects the mind.

What about the suppressed emotions?

 first noticeable in the muscles,
 tendency to push negative emotions deep inside,
 prevents them from ever being released.

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 Toxic stress and
Immune System

Toxic Stress- Intense and prolonged

activation of stress response systems
without positive, buffering influences or
relationships.

Toxic stress suppresses the immune

system, increasing susceptibility to
infections
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18
Nature's Impact on Human Well-
being
The human nervous system is finely tuned
to respond to natural environments, which
have shaped our evolution.

Biophilia, our innate tendency to connect

with nature and living organisms, is
supported by scientific validation

Nature exposure enhances mental well-

being, improves mood, and boosts self-
esteem.
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 Reiki- A Complementary
Healing Practice
•early 20th century Japan by a
Zen Buddhist.

•rei, meaning “universal,” and ki

refers to the vital life force
energy

•Studies confirm its efficacy in

reducing pain, anxiety,
depression, and blood pressure
across various medical
conditions.
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 •Reiki practitioners emit a magnetic
field from their hearts that can
influence clients, potentially
affecting their emotional state.

The Biofield and •Emotional contagion, facilitated by

the mirror neuron system (MNS),
Reiki's Mechanisms allows individuals to catch and
mirror each other's emotions.

•The practitioner's emotional state

plays a pivotal role in the
effectiveness of reiki therapy,
impacting the client through
emotional resonance. 21
•Crystals are unique combinations of
minerals known for purifying,
balancing, and realigning our
bioenergetic systems.
Crystal Healing:
•They possess stable and unchanging
energy patterns, each with a distinct
Resonating with
frequency and energy field, similar to energy
tuning forks.

•Crystals work by harmonizing the

often unstable energy field of the
human body. (March, 2023)
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Quartz crystal forms the
basis of modern
technology, powering
silicon chips in computers
and smartphones.

Many medications are

crystallized for The Science of
effectiveness, alongside
other necessary Crystals and
ingredients.
Their
Earth's magnetic field, vital
for cosmic ray protection, Influence
is generated by deep-
seated quartz crystals.

Crystals may alter water's

hydrogen bonding,
affecting crystallization
rates of substances like
zinc sulfate in dietary
supplements. 23
•Crystals are believed to enhance plant growth and intensify the
Earth's magnetic field, potentially impacting nearby organisms.
•An experiment using rose quartz water led to 30% taller plants
compared to those grown in regular water.

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 The Butterfly Effect and Consciousness

• The Butterfly Effect illustrates how even a small

change in one state can trigger significant
consequences down the line.
•“If the flap of a butterfly’s wings can be
instrumental in generating a tornado, it can equally
well be instrumental in preventing a tornado.”
— Edward Lorenz
•Often, as individuals, we may dismiss our actions
as inconsequential within larger systems, like the
global environment or economy.

•I'm just one person; what difference

can I make in the world?
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26
 Learnings
The science in today's most popular complementary
and alternative therapies
How your thoughts, emotions, and beliefs can help
you heal
Nature's healing properties and a holistic approach
to healing
An amazing relationship between consciousness and
human connection
The link between suppressed emotions and
sickness 27
 Analysis and Comment on Book
The book offers
a refreshing perspective on alternative healing practices.
thought-provoking insights
an evidence-based approach to woo-woo concepts.
Readers
explore new horizons and open minds
gain a deeper understanding of the science behind these practices.
harness the power of the mind-body connection for health and happiness
can easily incorporate these practices into their daily lives.
Encourages critical thinking and curiosity. 28
Recommendations

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 References
Betancourt, A. (2022). The Butterfly Effect of Personal Change. Medium. https://medium.com/bottomline-conversations/the-butterfly-effect-of-

personal-change-f31c012f0806#:~:text=The%20butterfly%20effect%20is%20an,world%20and%20those%20around%20us.

BetterHelp. (2023, September 28). The Visualization Definition and How It Transforms Your Life. BetterHelp.

https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/visualization/the-visualization-definition-and-how-it-transforms-your-life/

Cayce, C. (n.d.). The Encyclopedic Psychic Dictionary. Goodreads. https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/58665892

Goldman, R. (2022, November 4). Affirmations: What They Are, Health Benefits, and Getting Started. Everday Health.

https://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/what-are-affirmations/

Halcyon, D. (n.d.). A Lot of the Woo-Woo Probably Works. Raptitude. https://www.raptitude.com/2021/03/a-lot-of-the-woo-woo-probably-

works/

Hamilton, D. R. (2021). Why Woo-Woo Works: The Surprising Science Behind Meditation, Reiki, Crystals, and Other Alternative Practices.
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Hay House.
 References
Mindvalley. (2021, August 12). What is Tapping, And Why Does It Work? | Jennifer Partridge. https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=9FsKdaXyTH8

Plant_Horizons (2013, November 19). Crystal Healing, Can Rose Quartz Impact Plant Growth? [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=ptlGH2m50rA

Productivity Guy. (2020, July 15). What is Butterfly Effect | Explained in 2 min [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3ulampoAS8

Suzanne, B.R. (2013, July 21). Nocebo: I Shall Harm. MedShadow. https://medshadow.org/nocebo-i-shall-harm/

Tomasino, B., & Fabbro, F. (2016). Increases in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and decreases the rostral prefrontal cortex activation

after-8 weeks of focused attention based mindfulness meditation. Brain and cognition, 102, 46–54.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bandc.2015.12.004

Wellness. (2021, August 30). What is reiki, and does it really work?. Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/reiki/
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