This is your brain on religion

Regardless of belief, a spiritual life provides a plethora of well-documented health benefits. From better moods to improved circulation, from a stronger immune system to longer lifespans, the neurophysiological effects of spiritual practices are more physical fact than religious opinion.

What’s more, your brain in the midst of a religious experience looks quite different than it does in more everyday moments. The emerging field of neurotheology — which includes non-theistic meditation practice as well as major religions — is beginning to gather data on how spiritual practices manifest in the brain.

Some of those findings are rather provocative.

For example, some data suggest that certain religious experiences activate the same areas of the brain as sex or recreational drugs.

Seeking pleasure, especially when one is experiencing mental pain, is as natural as breathing. This research indicates spirituality may be a healthy alternative to high-risk behaviors, with the same or similar (and probably longer lasting) “high.”

Other data indicate damage to key areas of the brain made subjects feel as if someone’s in the room, even if they couldn’t see anyone. One study of Vietnam veterans published in the January 2016 journal Neuropsychologia found those who’d been injured in the brain’s dorsolateral prefrontal cortex were more likely to report mystical experiences.

Once called “the God spot,” earlier research claimed such a spot existed — a specific part of the brain which became more active during intense religious experiences and prayer. However, a single “God spot” was refuted in 2012 when subsequent studies proved that several areas — not just one — become active, and with varying results, depending upon the particular activity.

In fact, different religions may be more or less likely to activate specific areas, or in different ways. There may not be one God spot, but there is increasing evidence that spiritual practices activate the brain in ways everyday activities don’t.

Dr. Andrew Newberg, professor of neuroscience, author, and director of a research institute at Thomas Jefferson University in Pennsylvania, literally “wrote the book” on neurotheology, drawing from numerous studies. As reported in 2018 by Medical News Today, Newberg found that both meditating Buddhists and praying Catholic nuns have increased activity in the frontal lobes of the brain. These areas are linked with increased focus and attention, planning skills, the ability to project into the future, and the ability to construct complex arguments.

Prayer, which uses words rather than relying on visualization techniques used in meditation, shows increased activity in the language-processing brain areas of the subparietal lobes.

However, other religious practices can have the opposite effect on the same areas. Another study co-authored by Dr. Newberg shows that intense Islamic prayer — “which has, as its most fundamental concept, the surrendering of one’s self to God” — reduces the activity in the prefrontal cortex and parietal lobes. The prefrontal cortex is associated with executive control and decision-making.

The researchers reasoned that it would make sense that a practice centered on relinquishing control would result in decreased activity in this brain area.

University of Utah School of Medicine research published in the November issue of Social Neuroscience examined the brains of 19 young Mormons. Using MRI scans, the researchers found that religion activates the same reward-processing brain circuits as sex, drugs, and other addictive activities. When asked whether and to what degree the participants were “feeling the spirit,” those who reported the most intense spiritual feelings displayed increased activity in these areas.

The scientists said the same pleasure- and reward-processing brain areas are also active when people engage in sexual activities, listen to music, or take pleasure-enhancing drugs. The participants also reported feelings of peace and physical warmth.

These findings resemble prior studies indicating that spiritual practices raise levels of endorphins and serotonin — sometimes called the “happiness” neurotransmitter.

It seems in essence, out-of-body and ecstatic spiritual feelings are very much in the body — or at least, in the brain. Neuroimaging techniques are helping scientists map out what happens when we have a spiritual or mystical experience.

Whether the brain activity is the chicken or the egg remains a more personal journey.

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Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Contact her at [email protected].