I am not even slightly convinced that they will have any kind of efficacy

In my experience it is better to start out with the opposite sentiment, even if you don't fully believe it. Our mind is our most powerful ally and you can be sure the Egyptians did it with full belief it would work. Seeing or feeling the effects obviously helps but this will come in time and once you have passed that hurdle, then you can really start to play.

As an example, four years ago I could see I was visibly losing my hair and decided I didn't want to be bald, like my father and my brothers. So I did my research and added a bunch of techniques to my daily routine, like massaging my scalp with a wooden bristle brush and saying these affirmations:

After a month I could feel all the stubble on my head, old follicles coming back to life.

And with this evidence I was able to maintain the practices for a few years.

Today I do nothing at all yet my hair doesn't fall out the way it used to because the power of my mind alone is sufficient now, but I had to go through the research & physical actions to attain this position. Bit like the warning I gave in this post, knowledge is not the same thing as wisdom. The point I want to make here is that the affirmations I wrote (in the above film) were the most essential part, telling my body what to expect. No surprise this film has been watched by 145,000 people since I made it. And the comments tell the story. Those who are focused on the meditation are getting success, while those who are focused on the annoying youtube-enforced advert in the middle will likely not have so much success.

Words are like arrows of intention and if we are careful with every one, they can be of great benefit to us.

Have been through this with other people and am always a bit hesitant as I don't want to be rude! Naturally we all do things in our own way, so really I am just letting you know what works for me.

But I cannot imagine any person who wouldn't benefit from a set of affirmations which go with the wand use. Whatever benefits you are looking for, let your body know with your words it is coming and you will be amazed at how quickly it comes...