Religion on the brain: A look into the neurological impact of religion and spirituality

Beliefs are the inherent, underlying nature of our identity, motives, and actions. One of the most significant and developed forms of belief is religion. This paper outlines the development of beliefs and provides evidence on how religion and spirituality impact the brain. Through neurotheological studies like the one done with Carmelite nuns in 2006, researchers can uncover what the brain looks like during religious/spiritual experiences. Results show that religious experiences increase activation in various regions such as the IPL, MPFC, ACC, and more. Studies have also shown that many of the results related to religion on the brain align with studies done to decipher the difference between a mentally healthy patient and a mentally unhealthy patient. One such example is that there is a similar increase in the PDR and the EEG when comparing results from a neurotheological study and brain imaging depicting positive and negative mental health. This relationship is proved through statistics revealing how religion has been known to significantly decrease the rate of depression in an individual and decrease the rate of suicide in a community. The findings suggest that integrating religious and spiritual dimensions into mental health treatment can enhance therapeutic outcomes. Ultimately, this exploration affirms beliefs’ profound role in shaping our identities and promoting psychological resilience.