A groundbreaking, well-researched, wide-ranging, non-fiction study examining alternative therapies, conspiracy theories, and misogyny in the medical field, with a tragic personal story at its core—the death of a young woman.
Lauren immersed herself in the world of alternative medicine. Two years after her tragic death, her cousin decided to investigate the circumstances of the accident.
In October 2022, Lauren – an Australian woman in her mid-30s – left for Malaysia to receive alternative medical treatment for chronic Lyme disease. And she never came back.Haunted by the memory of her cousin's death, writer Hannah McElhenney retraces Lauren's journey into the world of alternative medicine to investigate how she got there, and how easily others can do the same.
Amid growing societal distrust of the medical establishment, McElhenney argues that it is women, marginalized communities, and those with chronic health conditions whose pain and suffering are frequently overlooked in clinics and ignored in research.If so, why is it crazy to get a second opinion? Or a third? Or get so many opinions until someone says, “I know exactly what's wrong with you, and I may have a cure”?
Wormhole* is a compelling and empathetic addition to the conversation about the future of health, wellness, and modern medicine, combining a deeply personal narrative with a wide-ranging exploration of misogyny in the medical field, wellness culture, and misinformation.
