Why Woo-Woo Works: The Surprising Science Behind Meditation, Reiki, Crystals, and Other Alternative Practices Paperback – 21 Sept. 2021

Lots of people who practice or receive complementary therapies have always known they work, but perhaps never understood exactly why they work. David Hamilton researches to tremendous depth. As a very well qualified man of science he would never do anything other than research thoroughly. What he is great at is explaining it in simple terms. This book is a treasure! For anyone wanting to help themselves to lead a healthier life this book could very definitely be worth a read. Mainstream medicine is starting to realise that therapies can work very well with conventional medicine and I would love it if doctors, consultants, etc took time to read this wonderful book. Well done David! Jacqui M. ❤️

This is probably my favourite book from Dr David Hamilton because he's gone where others haven't. He uses his knowledge, his research skills, his connections to really explore various topics with an open mind. Though his background was working as an organic chemist for the drugs industry, his writing is down to earth, easy to understand and humorous.If you're going to decide what you believe about these topics it's great to have solid information so you can make an informed opinion. I find this stuff incredibly fascinating because I used to be a scientific researcher too, many things we couldn't explain at that time are now things we take for granted.This book is worth the price even if you're only interested in learning a bit more about a few of the topics. If something doesn't resonate with you then you can leave that and work with what does.When we understand why something works we are much more committed to giving it a go, when it can't hurt and might help alongside other more conventional approaches.I haven't finished reading it but already I can heartily recommend it. It's inspired some very interesting conversations within the family already!

I really loved this book. Despite my analytical mind I've grown to be a great believer in the power of alternative approaches. And although I need less and less scientific proof on these matters, I thought the book was the perfect blend of science and spirituality. I started reading it a while ago and I think it came up as a suggestion on Amazon. I found it really interesting but for some reason stopped reading. Then recently I decided to pick it back up again and "by chance" I saw a post on social media a few days later about an event about how the mind heals the body. Finding these topics super interesting I looked up the event and found out it was one of David Hamilton's. Bought a ticket, went along. The event was brilliant and it has reminded me to keep going with my personal practices. Synchronicities or just coincidence? I know which one I choose to go with.

I read this book in a couple of days - it’s easy to read and accessible, although at times it read more like a bullet list of stats and studies and would have benefitted from some more anecdotes and interviews with experts to mix up the delivery style. The first few chapters were as expected - highlighting the well-being benefits of various alternative treatments and practices. Towards the end, the book veers more into spirituality, physics and Jungian concepts of consciousness and is more speculation than stats. Now, I LOVED this, and found it fascinating, but it was a big switch in tone and people wanting scientific evidence to support mindfulness might find it a bit “out there”. By the end, I felt I was sitting in a pub with an extremely intelligent, qualified, science-loving friend who’d had a couple of pints and was enjoying a deep and meaningful conversation. I get the impression David is the kind of person who would be excellent company in those circumstances! So try the book, it will certainly make you think about all kinds of interesting ideas and hopefully open your mind to seeing the universe and our connections to each other in a whole new way.

As someone who worked in the Mental Health profession for 11 years in both adult and child and adolescent mental health services, this book is one that I feel could change practice in lots of different fields that are underpinned by the medical model.As "Why Woo-Woo Works" points out there is a place for medicine and there is a place where alternative practices can merge with conventional interventions to create wonderful outcomes for people engaging in these practices.It is my vision for the future that reiki practitioners, complimentary therapies, meditation and harnessing the power of nature will be widely accepted knowledge in the future of mainstream interventions for both physical and mental health. As the book points out; our nervous system and physiology is wired to respond positively to nature and even heal faster in the presence of being surrounded by nature.I love that reiki has an evidence base and being someone who has experienced trauma and treated trauma in my clients; I love the practices that are outlined in this wonderful book by Dr David Hamilton.So please, read this book to gain a deeper understanding of how alternative practices can have phenomenal results for those engaging in them...

Very interesting book. I’ve heard Dr Hamilton give talks so I know how genuine he is.