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How Your Mind Can Heal Your Body
In this compelling and groundbreaking new book, Dr David Hamilton shows how the mind can have the power to heal the body. Here he describes the power of positive thinking and how thoughts and emotions mould the structure of the brain and change our body at a cellular level. The book also includes true-life stories from people who have successfully visualized themselves well and contains a powerful list of specific visualizations that you can use to heal yourself from illness. "How Your Mind Can Heal Your Body" unleashes the hidden powers within the mind to heal you in dramatic and enduring ways. This inspiring book is practical, positive and promises to have a direct impact on the way you view the mind-body connection.
224 pages, Paperback
First published November 27, 2008
591 people are currently reading
2182 people want to read
About the author
David R. Hamilton
22 books145 followersDavid has a first class honors degree in chemistry, specializing in biological and medicinal chemistry. He has the slightly geeky honour of having achieved 100% in his 3rd year university degree exam in ‘Statistical Mechanics’, which is a branch of quantum physics applied to chemistry.
After completing his PhD, he worked for 4 years in the pharmaceutical industry, first developing drugs for cardiovascular disease and cancer, then a year managing leadership and change projects. During this time he also served as an athletics coach and manager of Sale Harriers Manchester, one of the UK’s largest athletics clubs, leading the Junior Men’s team to three successive UK finals. Upon leaving the pharmaceutical industry, he co-founded the international relief charity Spirit Aid Foundation and served as a director for 2 years.
While writing his first book (2004-2005), he taught chemistry (main) plus ecology and mathematics (secondary) at West College Scotland (formerly, James Watt College of Further and Higher Education) and tutored chemistry at the University of Glasgow.
He’s now a bestselling author of 8 books (No’s 9 and 10 are due out in 2017) published by Hay House UK, and offer talks and workshops that use science to inspire – fusing neuroscience, the mind-body connection, kindness, and philosophical and eastern spiritual teachings. He also writes a regular blog on his website as well as occasional blogs for the Huffington Post (US edition) and Psychologies Life Labs, and is a columnist for Soul and Spirit Magazine. In 2016, David won the Kindred Spirit, ‘Best MBS Writer Award’.
He has been featured in numerous publications, including ELLE, RED Magazine, Psychologies, YOU Magazine, Good Housekeeping (both UK & US), and several newspapers.
You might wonder how he got into writing on the subjects he does. In his own words, “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.”
After completing his PhD, he worked for 4 years in the pharmaceutical industry, first developing drugs for cardiovascular disease and cancer, then a year managing leadership and change projects. During this time he also served as an athletics coach and manager of Sale Harriers Manchester, one of the UK’s largest athletics clubs, leading the Junior Men’s team to three successive UK finals. Upon leaving the pharmaceutical industry, he co-founded the international relief charity Spirit Aid Foundation and served as a director for 2 years.
While writing his first book (2004-2005), he taught chemistry (main) plus ecology and mathematics (secondary) at West College Scotland (formerly, James Watt College of Further and Higher Education) and tutored chemistry at the University of Glasgow.
He’s now a bestselling author of 8 books (No’s 9 and 10 are due out in 2017) published by Hay House UK, and offer talks and workshops that use science to inspire – fusing neuroscience, the mind-body connection, kindness, and philosophical and eastern spiritual teachings. He also writes a regular blog on his website as well as occasional blogs for the Huffington Post (US edition) and Psychologies Life Labs, and is a columnist for Soul and Spirit Magazine. In 2016, David won the Kindred Spirit, ‘Best MBS Writer Award’.
He has been featured in numerous publications, including ELLE, RED Magazine, Psychologies, YOU Magazine, Good Housekeeping (both UK & US), and several newspapers.
You might wonder how he got into writing on the subjects he does. In his own words, “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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
January 25, 2022
Knjiga koja nam otkriva tajne kako pomoći tijelu i kako izliječiti tijelo, a sve samo uz pomoć uma. Daje nam jednostavne alate puput afirmacija i vizualizacija kojima se možemo poslužiti pri ublažavanju niza bolesti, kao i njihovom potpunom nestanku.
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October 12, 2013
This is a valuable, practical book, especially for those with health problems, obviously.
The author cites statistics and scientific facts to show us, and convince us of, the power of positive thinking and of the placebo.
Visualization causes real chemical and structural changes in the brain. Mind changes matter. Psychotherapy also results in detectable changes in the brain.
Neurogenesis (formation of new neurons in the brain) occurs right up to the final days of our life, no matter our age. Learning a new language as an adult, learning to play a musical instrument, learning new dances or playing board games all develop the brain.
Thoughts produce chemicals in the brain. When we repeat a thought several times, an additional chemical (protein) is stimulated and makes its way to the centre of the neuron where it finds DNA. It here activates several genes of DNA which make the substances that produce new branches between the neurons. Thus, repeating a thought produces new connections between neurons. Genes are activated by a state of mind within minutes. It is this process that can lead to “miraculous” healings.
Not only does our mind affect our brain, but it affects our body at the cellular level. The author explains in detail how this happens.
When genes switch on, proteins are made to be used in the construction of new cells, skin, tendon, blood or bone.
The mind influences the growth of stem cells, which are cells that morph into any type of cells. A stem cell could become a bone cell, an immune cell, or whatever. As genes are activated, the stem cells grow into the cells they are required to become.
The mind can either encourage stem cells to morph into new cells or it can interfere with the process. If a person visualizes the healing of a damaged part of their body, they will be having an effect upon the morphing of stem cells into the required cell types for healing.
Seemingly miraculous healings from serious diseases are thus actually the result of the movement of stem cells from bone marrow and their morphing into cells that regenerate a damaged area.
This is the first time I’ve read anything like this, explaining the physical details of how visualization actually works.
If we imagine using our muscles, they will grow stronger. In one test, the muscle strength of one group doing physical training increased by 53%, while a group doing mental training instead increased their strength by 35%, though they hadn’t lifted a finger. If we imagine lifting heavy weights, the brain and muscles are stimulated more than if we imagine lifting lighter weights.
Even just watching someone exercising affects our brains and muscles. Ha, ha, that’s what I always suspected! Watching a great athlete performing makes you better at that event. Watching muscles working works much like visualization.
In a group who trained the little finger of their right hand, muscle strength increased by 50%, while in the group who merely watched the training, the strength of the little finger in their right hand increased by 32%.
We are given lots of statistical evidence about the effectiveness of guided imagery and mental imagery (visualization). Stroke patients can regain movement by imagining themselves moving, and those with Parkinson’s disease can move more easily.
There are chapters on how to visualize and the power of affirmations. Having our attention focused on the ailing area activates that area and the part of the brain that governs it. According to what we imagine, “brain maps change and chemicals are released in the brain and throughout the body, genes are switched on and off, and stem cells receive instructions on which type of cells to become”.
The chapter on visualization is extremely useful, the best material I’ve encountered.
Part II of the book contains true stories recounting how various persons healed themselves of serious diseases, including cancer, heart disease, chronic fatigue and autoimmune conditions, through their visualization work.
There’s also a chapter on the power of love.
Finally, in Appendix I the author gives us his own Quantum Field Healing (QFH) visualization, which he states is a powerful symbolic visualization. We’re also provided with stories of people who have successfully used QFH.
Appendix II contains innumerable examples of visualizations for specific diseases/ailments, including one for autoimmune conditions, which I have begun to do.
Here is a little one for getting rid of warts or verrucas:
“Imagine taking some coloured acid and rubbing it onto the cells in the wart or verruca, Watch them dissolve. Hear the fizzling sound. As each cell is dissolved, watch as the wart or verruca gets smaller and smaller and smaller.”
This is a unique, exceedingly practical book. The author writes clearly and simply, but includes various helpful scientific explanations.
Although I already knew that visualization worked, my faith in it has been much increased, or greatly rekindled, in the reading of this book, so I have been motivated to start on my own visualization work. There are many, many examples of appropriate visualizations for various diseases.
This is the best book I’ve read on the subject of healing one’s body in general and on visualization in particular. I strongly recommend that you purchase this valuable book.
The author cites statistics and scientific facts to show us, and convince us of, the power of positive thinking and of the placebo.
Visualization causes real chemical and structural changes in the brain. Mind changes matter. Psychotherapy also results in detectable changes in the brain.
Neurogenesis (formation of new neurons in the brain) occurs right up to the final days of our life, no matter our age. Learning a new language as an adult, learning to play a musical instrument, learning new dances or playing board games all develop the brain.
Thoughts produce chemicals in the brain. When we repeat a thought several times, an additional chemical (protein) is stimulated and makes its way to the centre of the neuron where it finds DNA. It here activates several genes of DNA which make the substances that produce new branches between the neurons. Thus, repeating a thought produces new connections between neurons. Genes are activated by a state of mind within minutes. It is this process that can lead to “miraculous” healings.
Not only does our mind affect our brain, but it affects our body at the cellular level. The author explains in detail how this happens.
When genes switch on, proteins are made to be used in the construction of new cells, skin, tendon, blood or bone.
The mind influences the growth of stem cells, which are cells that morph into any type of cells. A stem cell could become a bone cell, an immune cell, or whatever. As genes are activated, the stem cells grow into the cells they are required to become.
The mind can either encourage stem cells to morph into new cells or it can interfere with the process. If a person visualizes the healing of a damaged part of their body, they will be having an effect upon the morphing of stem cells into the required cell types for healing.
Seemingly miraculous healings from serious diseases are thus actually the result of the movement of stem cells from bone marrow and their morphing into cells that regenerate a damaged area.
This is the first time I’ve read anything like this, explaining the physical details of how visualization actually works.
If we imagine using our muscles, they will grow stronger. In one test, the muscle strength of one group doing physical training increased by 53%, while a group doing mental training instead increased their strength by 35%, though they hadn’t lifted a finger. If we imagine lifting heavy weights, the brain and muscles are stimulated more than if we imagine lifting lighter weights.
Even just watching someone exercising affects our brains and muscles. Ha, ha, that’s what I always suspected! Watching a great athlete performing makes you better at that event. Watching muscles working works much like visualization.
In a group who trained the little finger of their right hand, muscle strength increased by 50%, while in the group who merely watched the training, the strength of the little finger in their right hand increased by 32%.
We are given lots of statistical evidence about the effectiveness of guided imagery and mental imagery (visualization). Stroke patients can regain movement by imagining themselves moving, and those with Parkinson’s disease can move more easily.
There are chapters on how to visualize and the power of affirmations. Having our attention focused on the ailing area activates that area and the part of the brain that governs it. According to what we imagine, “brain maps change and chemicals are released in the brain and throughout the body, genes are switched on and off, and stem cells receive instructions on which type of cells to become”.
The chapter on visualization is extremely useful, the best material I’ve encountered.
Part II of the book contains true stories recounting how various persons healed themselves of serious diseases, including cancer, heart disease, chronic fatigue and autoimmune conditions, through their visualization work.
There’s also a chapter on the power of love.
Finally, in Appendix I the author gives us his own Quantum Field Healing (QFH) visualization, which he states is a powerful symbolic visualization. We’re also provided with stories of people who have successfully used QFH.
Appendix II contains innumerable examples of visualizations for specific diseases/ailments, including one for autoimmune conditions, which I have begun to do.
Here is a little one for getting rid of warts or verrucas:
“Imagine taking some coloured acid and rubbing it onto the cells in the wart or verruca, Watch them dissolve. Hear the fizzling sound. As each cell is dissolved, watch as the wart or verruca gets smaller and smaller and smaller.”
This is a unique, exceedingly practical book. The author writes clearly and simply, but includes various helpful scientific explanations.
Although I already knew that visualization worked, my faith in it has been much increased, or greatly rekindled, in the reading of this book, so I have been motivated to start on my own visualization work. There are many, many examples of appropriate visualizations for various diseases.
This is the best book I’ve read on the subject of healing one’s body in general and on visualization in particular. I strongly recommend that you purchase this valuable book.
June 7, 2024
كتاب جميل من دار الخيال من (371) صفحة .. قد لا اتفق مع كل ماكتب ولكن نستطيع الاستفادة بتطبيق المكونات الأدوات العلمية والإيجابية بما يتوافقك مع ديننا ونربطه بإرادة الله سبحانه وتعالى وبنية الشفاء.. وأحببت جزء الحب فعندما نحقق السلام مع ما نحن عليه، نبدأ في حب أنفسنا بأي كان شكل ذلك الحب فهو دواءً فعالاً.. فعندما نغذي عقلنا الباطن ونحسن نظامنا الغذائي وننتظم بالأدوية ونبني نمط حياة اكثر صحة ونطبق العوامل الايجابية نكون في طريقنا للشفاء بإذن الله و أن يكون الانسان صبوراً ولا يفقد الأمل بالله.
لتفاصيل أكثر 👇
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لتفاصيل أكثر 👇
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January 11, 2023
This book could have been 3 pages long. A talented writer could put everything in 3 simple sentences. I’m not one but I can try to save you $20 - Do you want to heal from any type of diseases? Simply visualize how illness leaves your body and see yourself magically getting well. Voilà!
Although, I appreciate all the work the author has done collecting countless studies and other writers’ work on the subject, for me, the book was way too long, extremely repetitive and sometimes (most of time) boring. Maybe because the information wasn’t new for me.
Although, I appreciate all the work the author has done collecting countless studies and other writers’ work on the subject, for me, the book was way too long, extremely repetitive and sometimes (most of time) boring. Maybe because the information wasn’t new for me.
April 15, 2023
Prima parte a acestei cărți ne arată si ne învață cum să ne folosim mintea pentru a ne vindeca trupul. Oferă metode practice pe care le putem utiliza pentru a ne vindeca de diferite boli si afectiuni.
Atitudinea pe care o adoptăm ne afectează reacția in fața virusurilor, bacteriilor și a altor agenți patogeni. O abordare pozitivă, optimistă a vietii face mult mai bine stării generale de sănătate și longevității.
O atitudine pozitivă ne ajută să facem fața provocărilor și să le privim ca pe niște oportunități. Putem alege oricând atitudinea pozitivă, alegerea ne aparține. De asemenea, atitudinea pozitivă cu împărtășirea grijilor, a problemelor noastre cu alte persoane, precum și cu meditația fac o echipă bună și benefică pentru noi.
A doua parte conține o serie de povești adevarate culese de la oameni care au aplicat metodele, sfaturile autorului și s-au vindecat de boală.
"Iubirea nu zace acolo, ca o piatră. Trebuie plămădită ca pâinea și refăcută mereu."
"Omul ajunge să creadă ceea ce își tot repetă suficient de des, indiferent dacă afirmația făcută este adevărată sau falsă."
Este o carte ce trebuie citită de cât mai multe persoane, fie ele pozitive sau negative!
Atitudinea pe care o adoptăm ne afectează reacția in fața virusurilor, bacteriilor și a altor agenți patogeni. O abordare pozitivă, optimistă a vietii face mult mai bine stării generale de sănătate și longevității.
O atitudine pozitivă ne ajută să facem fața provocărilor și să le privim ca pe niște oportunități. Putem alege oricând atitudinea pozitivă, alegerea ne aparține. De asemenea, atitudinea pozitivă cu împărtășirea grijilor, a problemelor noastre cu alte persoane, precum și cu meditația fac o echipă bună și benefică pentru noi.
A doua parte conține o serie de povești adevarate culese de la oameni care au aplicat metodele, sfaturile autorului și s-au vindecat de boală.
"Iubirea nu zace acolo, ca o piatră. Trebuie plămădită ca pâinea și refăcută mereu."
"Omul ajunge să creadă ceea ce își tot repetă suficient de des, indiferent dacă afirmația făcută este adevărată sau falsă."
Este o carte ce trebuie citită de cât mai multe persoane, fie ele pozitive sau negative!
August 13, 2016
It is based on studies and polls from different universities to prove that the mind can heal the body. It shows that your body has a cure for all diseases, you only need to know how to release your natural medicine from your own body. I also highly recommend all medical students to read this book before they graduate. They need to know that the human body is not a place for troubleshooting. They need to understand this book in order to not become butchers.
October 29, 2019
Unless you are 100% fit and have no aches or pains in your body this is a must-read if you adhere to the idea that your mind can heal your body.
Many great tips to help you go about your healing and a lot of knowledge that will keep you coming back for more. Not a one time read but something to keep and reference down the road.
David is someone that just writes to offer knowledge, heart and kindness. Highly recommend any of his books and well worth seeing him talk if you get the chance.
Many great tips to help you go about your healing and a lot of knowledge that will keep you coming back for more. Not a one time read but something to keep and reference down the road.
David is someone that just writes to offer knowledge, heart and kindness. Highly recommend any of his books and well worth seeing him talk if you get the chance.
August 19, 2019
Good Book! Thoroughly enjoyed it.
I've always believed our minds can heal our bodies, and I loved reading the science behind it. Hamilton shared studies, stories, and medical information to show us the power of our minds. Then he goes on to give us tools to put it into practice: visualization and affirmations.
I've always believed our minds can heal our bodies, and I loved reading the science behind it. Hamilton shared studies, stories, and medical information to show us the power of our minds. Then he goes on to give us tools to put it into practice: visualization and affirmations.
October 27, 2017
Great read with some healing meditations you can try. Offering a lot of substance to the reader this book is a must if you have ever considered the reality of meditation
for healing. Yes Science says it works and it's FREE. Well the meditation at least. You still have to get the book.
for healing. Yes Science says it works and it's FREE. Well the meditation at least. You still have to get the book.
August 9, 2019
This book is such an eye opener. It’s very interesting and practical.. and I’ve learned a lot... I’m glad I read this book in the perfect time, when I really needed to read and learn similar things. It’s really interesting and easy to read.
January 6, 2020
Fantastic book. Really shows the power of the mind. Gives you lots of stories of how visualisation has helped people and gives you some advice if you are struggling yourself.
Really loving read. I will be trying out visualisation to see if it works for me
Really loving read. I will be trying out visualisation to see if it works for me
April 13, 2022
O carte foarte utilă cu sfaturi și obiceiuri bune. Merită citită cel puțin o dată de către fiecare dintre noi.
February 11, 2020
If there's someone you need to convince of the mind's effect on the body, point them to this book and get them to read it cover to cover. (OK, maybe they can skip the visualisation examples, unless they want to try doing it themselves.) It explains how the following work: placebo effect, meditation, visualisation. Also provides a ton of studies backing up everything said. And I don't mean anecdotal studies - these were actual scientific studies carried out on real people. E.g. To test the hypothesis that "merely visualising finger strength would actually make your finger physically stronger", they measured actual performances by all test groups and found that there was indeed an increase in the physical strength of the fingers of those who had only done finger strength visualisation exercises as opposed to those who had not. These were measured against those who had done actual physical finger exercises (and not visualisation).
After reading Ian Gawler's book "You Can Conquer Cancer", where his oncologists attest that it was essentially his 5-hour-long daily meditation that saved him from the brink of death (being a stage 4 terminal osteosarcoma case), I felt that I had to find out more about how and why meditation works. This book provides the answers. Visualisation can be seen as a form of meditation.
There are too many studies listed in this book for me to cite, giving evidence of how the mind can produce tangible physical changes in our body. Regardless of whether you're looking for an alternative to conventional medicine as a cure for whatever condition you have, or whether you're just looking to strengthen yourself mentally and physically just using your mind alone, this book is a fascinating read because it explains the science behind why the mind can be such a powerful tool, and offers many examples of meditations and visualisations you can use to achieve whatever effect you desire.
After reading Ian Gawler's book "You Can Conquer Cancer", where his oncologists attest that it was essentially his 5-hour-long daily meditation that saved him from the brink of death (being a stage 4 terminal osteosarcoma case), I felt that I had to find out more about how and why meditation works. This book provides the answers. Visualisation can be seen as a form of meditation.
There are too many studies listed in this book for me to cite, giving evidence of how the mind can produce tangible physical changes in our body. Regardless of whether you're looking for an alternative to conventional medicine as a cure for whatever condition you have, or whether you're just looking to strengthen yourself mentally and physically just using your mind alone, this book is a fascinating read because it explains the science behind why the mind can be such a powerful tool, and offers many examples of meditations and visualisations you can use to achieve whatever effect you desire.
March 12, 2023
الكتاب حلو جدا وغير تقليدي .. ومدعم بدراسات كتيرة جدا بتأكد الكلام
وخصوصا انه بيتكلم عن ازاي طريقة تفكيرك تقدر تعالج جسمك وتقدر تشكل دماغك عن طريق التخيل
وخصوصا انه بيتكلم عن ازاي طريقة تفكيرك تقدر تعالج جسمك وتقدر تشكل دماغك عن طريق التخيل
December 2, 2024
كم هو مليءٌ بالخرافات!
May 28, 2024
This book provides real hope of the power of faith and has some amazingly inspirational accounts.
Written by a very intelligent scientist who had hoped to help people through development of medications to treat cancer and heart disease. After 4 years in this field, following exemplarary ability in training, he became fascinated with the potential of the mind in healing due to unanticipated improvements by those on placebo medications that have merely a dummy effect but, somehow with the blind belief of the patient, had taken on a power beyond expectation. He went onto study this and now lectures to physiotherapy students in Scotland.
His sceintific background means that he has been primed to provide evidence for the cause of benefit in his case examples and he has sought good statistical data to strengthen his accounts so that the reader may better believe in how they might capitalise in these techniques.
Examples that stand out for me are a guy who, having sustained multiple fractures from a bus hitting the side of his car wet on to run a marathon in just over 4 hours a year later. The dotor had predicted a 75% recovery over time and he declared that he would run a marathon in a year with the astounded consultant wagering that if he did then he would give £1000 to a charity of this guy's choice.
Also, a lady with late stage cancer for whom she imagined the bad cells away until she was so clear of it that no operative procedure was required, and she was recovered.
People exemplified within the book have some different sources of strength which they draw upon, for many of them this includes a faith base.
The power of prayer and meditation are demonstrated and practical visualisation suggestions guide a way forward for trying alternative healing (or additional healing, as medication is not ruled out as a help).
This would be a great gift for someone who is struggling with an ailment.
Written by a very intelligent scientist who had hoped to help people through development of medications to treat cancer and heart disease. After 4 years in this field, following exemplarary ability in training, he became fascinated with the potential of the mind in healing due to unanticipated improvements by those on placebo medications that have merely a dummy effect but, somehow with the blind belief of the patient, had taken on a power beyond expectation. He went onto study this and now lectures to physiotherapy students in Scotland.
His sceintific background means that he has been primed to provide evidence for the cause of benefit in his case examples and he has sought good statistical data to strengthen his accounts so that the reader may better believe in how they might capitalise in these techniques.
Examples that stand out for me are a guy who, having sustained multiple fractures from a bus hitting the side of his car wet on to run a marathon in just over 4 hours a year later. The dotor had predicted a 75% recovery over time and he declared that he would run a marathon in a year with the astounded consultant wagering that if he did then he would give £1000 to a charity of this guy's choice.
Also, a lady with late stage cancer for whom she imagined the bad cells away until she was so clear of it that no operative procedure was required, and she was recovered.
People exemplified within the book have some different sources of strength which they draw upon, for many of them this includes a faith base.
The power of prayer and meditation are demonstrated and practical visualisation suggestions guide a way forward for trying alternative healing (or additional healing, as medication is not ruled out as a help).
This would be a great gift for someone who is struggling with an ailment.
Read
April 24, 2021أنهيت الكتاب بعدما تجاوزت أجزاءً منه، وإليك لما بعد الحديث عن المُحتوى.
تعرف تلك العلاقة العجيبة بين الدماغ والجسد؟ إن كُنت مطلعًا ولو بشكلٍ بسيط على بعض العلوم المتعلقة بصناعة الدواء، فلا شك أنك سمعت بتأثير البلاسيبو قبلًا، أو الدواء المموه، وهو الدواء الذي يُعطى لمجموعة من الأشخاص على أنه دواء علاجي لتجربة تأثير الدماغ على عملية العلاج عندما يعتقد المريض أن الدواء الذي يأخذ فعال فعلًا، وتقارن النتائج مع مجموعة أشخاصٍ آخرين يحصلون على الدواء الحقيقي، وذلك لمعرفة تأثيره الحقيقي.
مجال تطوير الذات لا يخلو أيضًا من الكتب التي تذكر هذا التأثير، ولو كان ذلك أحيانًا بشكلٍ مبالغٍ فيه، يدعو للاستغناء عن العلاج الدوائي لاستخدام الدماغ بشكلٍ حصري، شيء لا يدعو له مؤلف هذا الكتاب لحسن الحظ، بل يتحدث عن النتائج المشجعة لدمج العلاج الدوائي واستخدام الدماغ وقدرات التخيل لتسريع عملية الشفاء وتحسين الحالة الصحية للمريض.
يضم الكتاب أقسامًا مختلفة، منها الحديث عن بعض الدراسات التي تربط قدرات الدماغ والتخيل عند بعض المرضى وعلاجهم من أمراضٍ مختلفة، من السرطان للأمراض الجلدية، إلى حالات الإعياء وغيرها، بعدها قسم يتحدث عن قصص واقعية يحكي فيها أصحابها كيف ساعدهم استخدام التخيل على التخلص أو تخفيف المرض، وذلك على شكل رسائل موجهة للمؤلف، أمّا القسم الأخير، فيضم مساعدة في تخيل طرقٍ تسمح للشخص بالتحسن بناء على مرضه، كأن يتخيل أسماك بيرانا تأكل الخلايا السرطانية، مع التأكيد على أن ما فيه ليس علاجًا، وإنما طريقة مُساعدة قد يكون لها تأثير كبير، خاصة إن استخدمت بشكلٍ دوري.
تأثير البلاسيبو بلا شك ليس أمرًا خارقًا، الدماغ فعلًا قادر على التأثير على الجسد، يُمكن مثلا أن تظهر عليك علامات التوتر، رغم أن الكثير من الدراسات مازال عليها أن تجرى للتأكد من تأثير التخيل على أمراضٍ كالسرطان، بما أن الحالات الفردية للأشخاص الذين تعافوا بشكلٍ كامل، لا يمكن أن تؤخذ كدليل وحيد، وهو شيء يذكره المؤلف أيضًا.
صراحة، الكتاب قد لا يكون ذا فائدة كبيرة إن قرأت عن تأثير البلاسيبو قبلًا، لكنه قد يكون مشجعًا لأي مريض يريد أن يحصل على أملٍ في علاجٍ أسرع، دون استغناء على الدواء، أو أن يعول عليه بشكلٍ رئيسي لعلاج كل شيء.
تعرف تلك العلاقة العجيبة بين الدماغ والجسد؟ إن كُنت مطلعًا ولو بشكلٍ بسيط على بعض العلوم المتعلقة بصناعة الدواء، فلا شك أنك سمعت بتأثير البلاسيبو قبلًا، أو الدواء المموه، وهو الدواء الذي يُعطى لمجموعة من الأشخاص على أنه دواء علاجي لتجربة تأثير الدماغ على عملية العلاج عندما يعتقد المريض أن الدواء الذي يأخذ فعال فعلًا، وتقارن النتائج مع مجموعة أشخاصٍ آخرين يحصلون على الدواء الحقيقي، وذلك لمعرفة تأثيره الحقيقي.
مجال تطوير الذات لا يخلو أيضًا من الكتب التي تذكر هذا التأثير، ولو كان ذلك أحيانًا بشكلٍ مبالغٍ فيه، يدعو للاستغناء عن العلاج الدوائي لاستخدام الدماغ بشكلٍ حصري، شيء لا يدعو له مؤلف هذا الكتاب لحسن الحظ، بل يتحدث عن النتائج المشجعة لدمج العلاج الدوائي واستخدام الدماغ وقدرات التخيل لتسريع عملية الشفاء وتحسين الحالة الصحية للمريض.
يضم الكتاب أقسامًا مختلفة، منها الحديث عن بعض الدراسات التي تربط قدرات الدماغ والتخيل عند بعض المرضى وعلاجهم من أمراضٍ مختلفة، من السرطان للأمراض الجلدية، إلى حالات الإعياء وغيرها، بعدها قسم يتحدث عن قصص واقعية يحكي فيها أصحابها كيف ساعدهم استخدام التخيل على التخلص أو تخفيف المرض، وذلك على شكل رسائل موجهة للمؤلف، أمّا القسم الأخير، فيضم مساعدة في تخيل طرقٍ تسمح للشخص بالتحسن بناء على مرضه، كأن يتخيل أسماك بيرانا تأكل الخلايا السرطانية، مع التأكيد على أن ما فيه ليس علاجًا، وإنما طريقة مُساعدة قد يكون لها تأثير كبير، خاصة إن استخدمت بشكلٍ دوري.
تأثير البلاسيبو بلا شك ليس أمرًا خارقًا، الدماغ فعلًا قادر على التأثير على الجسد، يُمكن مثلا أن تظهر عليك علامات التوتر، رغم أن الكثير من الدراسات مازال عليها أن تجرى للتأكد من تأثير التخيل على أمراضٍ كالسرطان، بما أن الحالات الفردية للأشخاص الذين تعافوا بشكلٍ كامل، لا يمكن أن تؤخذ كدليل وحيد، وهو شيء يذكره المؤلف أيضًا.
صراحة، الكتاب قد لا يكون ذا فائدة كبيرة إن قرأت عن تأثير البلاسيبو قبلًا، لكنه قد يكون مشجعًا لأي مريض يريد أن يحصل على أملٍ في علاجٍ أسرع، دون استغناء على الدواء، أو أن يعول عليه بشكلٍ رئيسي لعلاج كل شيء.
February 13, 2022
I didn't realize this was the same guy as "Why Woo Woo Works" but yeah, same issues here. He cherry picks and glosses over magnitudes in his presentation of science and a lot of it is filler, only some of which can be considered 'priming' (convincing a reader that X works so they have confidence that X will work).
THAT SAID, as he stated in WWWW, the placebo effect is a legit thing and he's at least making an attempt to come to a coherent theory and applicability about it. In other words, if you have X condition and you get improvement during a testing regimen where, say you're given a pill, but it turns out the pill you get is just a sugar pill...you're still getting improvement, right? Surely that's kind of a big deal? (Is it? These studies never seem to give stats about how many people just get better with time and no interventions at all, but let's say for the sake of argument that it's accurate).
So he offers a pretty basic idea--first, don't ditch Western medicine. Take your pills, get your surgeries, etc, etc, but ALSO on top of that, try doing some visualizations for healing. And he's hard to assail here--at the very least, the worst that could happen--you certainly can't hurt yourself by doing a meditation practice, it might make you feel empowered and hopeful instead of hopeless and that's a huge deal right there. So it won't hurt, it can't possibly hurt...and even if all it does is make you more relaxed and a little less stressed...science backs that that, in and of itself promotes healing.
The rest is honestly, well, fun? I mean, the little glossary of visualizations that comprise half the book are silly and fun and almost childlike, which, again, can't hurt to get back to that sense of play.
So, is this book going to cure cancer, like he promises? Maybe not. But if visualizing scrubbing your cells to be nice and clean or zapping them with space guns makes me feel better, relaxed, and more in control...that's a win.
THAT SAID, as he stated in WWWW, the placebo effect is a legit thing and he's at least making an attempt to come to a coherent theory and applicability about it. In other words, if you have X condition and you get improvement during a testing regimen where, say you're given a pill, but it turns out the pill you get is just a sugar pill...you're still getting improvement, right? Surely that's kind of a big deal? (Is it? These studies never seem to give stats about how many people just get better with time and no interventions at all, but let's say for the sake of argument that it's accurate).
So he offers a pretty basic idea--first, don't ditch Western medicine. Take your pills, get your surgeries, etc, etc, but ALSO on top of that, try doing some visualizations for healing. And he's hard to assail here--at the very least, the worst that could happen--you certainly can't hurt yourself by doing a meditation practice, it might make you feel empowered and hopeful instead of hopeless and that's a huge deal right there. So it won't hurt, it can't possibly hurt...and even if all it does is make you more relaxed and a little less stressed...science backs that that, in and of itself promotes healing.
The rest is honestly, well, fun? I mean, the little glossary of visualizations that comprise half the book are silly and fun and almost childlike, which, again, can't hurt to get back to that sense of play.
So, is this book going to cure cancer, like he promises? Maybe not. But if visualizing scrubbing your cells to be nice and clean or zapping them with space guns makes me feel better, relaxed, and more in control...that's a win.
February 25, 2023
De a recomanda cartea asta, la fel, este un act de bine și iubire, caci cred cu tărie ca va activa în cititor multă motivare, iubire și claritate! Cum zice autorul cărții- Dr. David R. Hamilton: "Iubirea nu cunoaște limite. Când oferim iubire, sub orice formă, primim și ceva în schimb."
E minunat când se întâmplă să rămâi atât de inspirat și fascinat de o carte!
Sincer, răsfoiesc acum prin carte și e plină de notițe. Cum să o comentez!?
Despre ce este ea?
Este despre puterea minții care influentează corpul: "Atunci când ne canalizăm atenția pe o anumită parte a corpului nostru, se activează zona creierului care guvernează acea parte, iar respectiva zonă a corpului se activează deopotrivă; prin această conexiune, se produce vindecarea, atunci când o vizualizam."
Se vorbește mult despre vizualizare și cum sute de oameni s-au vindecat prin această metodă. Sunt date și exemple de vizualizare pentru fiecare organ în parte în procesul de autovindecare și poveștile a zeci de oameni care și-au schimbat viața prin vizualizare și credința în propria putere. Se scrie mult și despre puterea afirmațiilor pozitive, despre puterea iubirii (Când iubirea este mare, întodeauna se produc miracole), precum și a efectului placebo- aici am primit o satisfacție enormă sa citesc despre experimentele făcute chiar de doctori cu efectul placebo vs operații/ pastile reale.
În carte mai citești și despre cum gândurile ne modifica creierul, iar schimbând culoarea gândurilor noastre, putem schimba corpul la nivel celular.
Este pur și simplu o plăcere să o parcurgi, fiind scrisă într-o manieră atât de magnetică.
Așadar, sper sa vă stârnit curiozitatea față de cartea asta, caci precum spune însuși autorul: dacă ne păstrăm curiozitatea față de lucrurile noi și ne punem la treabă mintea și trupul, avem șansa să întinerim din punct de vedere mental, dar și fizic, precum și să evoluam spiritual.
E minunat când se întâmplă să rămâi atât de inspirat și fascinat de o carte!
Sincer, răsfoiesc acum prin carte și e plină de notițe. Cum să o comentez!?
Despre ce este ea?
Este despre puterea minții care influentează corpul: "Atunci când ne canalizăm atenția pe o anumită parte a corpului nostru, se activează zona creierului care guvernează acea parte, iar respectiva zonă a corpului se activează deopotrivă; prin această conexiune, se produce vindecarea, atunci când o vizualizam."
Se vorbește mult despre vizualizare și cum sute de oameni s-au vindecat prin această metodă. Sunt date și exemple de vizualizare pentru fiecare organ în parte în procesul de autovindecare și poveștile a zeci de oameni care și-au schimbat viața prin vizualizare și credința în propria putere. Se scrie mult și despre puterea afirmațiilor pozitive, despre puterea iubirii (Când iubirea este mare, întodeauna se produc miracole), precum și a efectului placebo- aici am primit o satisfacție enormă sa citesc despre experimentele făcute chiar de doctori cu efectul placebo vs operații/ pastile reale.
În carte mai citești și despre cum gândurile ne modifica creierul, iar schimbând culoarea gândurilor noastre, putem schimba corpul la nivel celular.
Este pur și simplu o plăcere să o parcurgi, fiind scrisă într-o manieră atât de magnetică.
Așadar, sper sa vă stârnit curiozitatea față de cartea asta, caci precum spune însuși autorul: dacă ne păstrăm curiozitatea față de lucrurile noi și ne punem la treabă mintea și trupul, avem șansa să întinerim din punct de vedere mental, dar și fizic, precum și să evoluam spiritual.
November 30, 2012
This is a fascinating book written by a scientist who used to work in the pharmaceutical industry and became so fascinated by the placebo effect that he decided to explore the relationship between the mind and the body and its role in healing. He backs up his assertions with examples of studies and case histories all of which provide real food for thought.
As I am now also reading Bad Pharma by Ben Goldacre which exposes the somewhat dubious practices of the pharmaceutical industry and the failures of the regulatory bodies to safeguard patient interests, I wonder whether David Hamilton's inside experience of the workings of the that industry didn't also lead to huge disenchantment set alongside the "success" of the placebo effect.
I have attended a couple of David Hamilton's talks and his ideas are truly inspirational.
As I am now also reading Bad Pharma by Ben Goldacre which exposes the somewhat dubious practices of the pharmaceutical industry and the failures of the regulatory bodies to safeguard patient interests, I wonder whether David Hamilton's inside experience of the workings of the that industry didn't also lead to huge disenchantment set alongside the "success" of the placebo effect.
I have attended a couple of David Hamilton's talks and his ideas are truly inspirational.
November 21, 2018
Time to Start Over
I always thought I knew something about life and healing until I read this book. I feel full of thanks to the author for all the wisdom,knowledge and love he has so adeptly infused into my mind through his masterpiece. Hate to think how ignorant I have been for so long but it is time to start over now that I have become enlightened. Thank you.
I always thought I knew something about life and healing until I read this book. I feel full of thanks to the author for all the wisdom,knowledge and love he has so adeptly infused into my mind through his masterpiece. Hate to think how ignorant I have been for so long but it is time to start over now that I have become enlightened. Thank you.
February 17, 2021
I have read this book a number of times. The way David Hamilton explains the science is wonderful and easy to understand. I recommend this book all the time.
It is a book you can pick up and read from cover to cover and then dip into. I have read it about 4 times over the past 10 years and always get sparks of woo-hooness!
Fab read.
It is a book you can pick up and read from cover to cover and then dip into. I have read it about 4 times over the past 10 years and always get sparks of woo-hooness!
Fab read.
May 21, 2015
An eye opener. How to put your meditation practice to serve the healing more effectively. I have read similar Buddhist books but this helped me to find my own visualization to help me to heal and feel better holistically.
June 3, 2020
بالرغم من انه في البداية يشبه البحث العلمي أكثر مما يشبه الكتاب، وبالرغم من تكرار نفس الفكرة كل مرة
الا انه كتاب مفيد ومؤثر بشكل إيجابي وجيد على حياتنا متى ما أدركنا قوة التخيل ومقدار تحكمنا في طاقة الأشياء من حولنا بما فيها الأمراض
الا انه كتاب مفيد ومؤثر بشكل إيجابي وجيد على حياتنا متى ما أدركنا قوة التخيل ومقدار تحكمنا في طاقة الأشياء من حولنا بما فيها الأمراض
May 15, 2021
“Știi prea bine în sinea ta, că există o singură magie, o singură forță, o singură salvare, iar aceasta se numește iubire. Ei bine, iubește-ți suferința. Nu i te opune. Propria ta aversiune te rănește, nimic altceva.”
September 12, 2021
يعترف الكاتب بأنه علم غير مثبت، وبالتالي لا أستطيع اعتباره علما بأي حال.. كما أن المبالغة في الكثير من صفحاته أفقدته الثقل وأدرجته في نطاق الكتب التجارية الرخيصة.. النجمات الثلاث لبعض الأفكار المؤثرة، وقد تعلمت أن كلمة واحدة في كتاب سيء قد تغير من حياتي
May 11, 2014
I enjoyed this read. Very insightful of the power of the mind and its connection to your health.
February 6, 2020
Absolutely amazing book.
February 14, 2020
Easy to understand. Many visualization techniques are given for specific ailments and the author explains how visualization works at the biological level.
Let's try it!
Let's try it!
February 4, 2021
Some very compelling studies about the power of the mind/the placebo effect! I enjoyed!
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