Scientists have speculated that the human
brain features a "God spot," one distinct area of the brain
responsible for spirituality.
Now,
University of Missouri researchers have completed research that indicates
spirituality is a complex phenomenon, and multiple areas of the brain are
responsible for the many aspects of spiritual experiences.
Based
on a previously published study that indicated spiritual transcendence is
associated with decreased right parietal lobe functioning, MU researchers
replicated their findings.
In
addition, the researchers determined that other aspects of spiritual
functioning are related to increased activity in the frontal lobe.
"We
have found a neuropsychological basis for spirituality, but it's not isolated
to one specific area of the brain," said Brick Johnstone, professor of health psychology in
the School of Health Professions.
"Spirituality
is a much more dynamic concept that uses many parts of the brain. Certain parts
of the brain play more predominant roles, but they all work together to
facilitate individuals' spiritual experiences."
In the
most recent study, Johnstone studied 20 people with traumatic brain injuries
affecting the right parietal lobe, the area of the brain situated a few inches
above the right ear. He surveyed participants on characteristics ofspirituality, such as
how close they felt to a higher power and if they felt their lives were part of
a divine plan. He found that the participants with more significant injury to
their right parietal lobe showed an increased feeling of closeness to a higher
power.
"Neuropsychology
researchers consistently have shown that impairment on the right side of the
brain decreases one's focus on the self," Johnstone said. "Since our
research shows that people with this impairment are more spiritual, this
suggests spiritual experiences are associated with a decreased focus on the
self. This is consistent with many religious texts that suggest people should
concentrate on the well-being of others rather than on themselves."
Johnstone
says the right side of the brain is associated with self-orientation, whereas
the left side is associated with how individuals relate to others. Although
Johnstone studied people with brain injury, previous studies of Buddhist meditators
and Franciscan nuns with normal brain function have shown that people can learn
to minimize the functioning of the right side of their brains to increase their
spiritual connections during meditation and prayer.
In
addition, Johnstone measured the frequency of participants' religious
practices, such as how often they attended church or listened to religious
programs. He measured activity in the frontal lobe and
found a correlation between increased activity in this part of the brain and
increased participation in religious practices.
"This
finding indicates that spiritual
experiences are likely associated with different parts of the brain,"
Johnstone said.
The
study, "Right parietal lobe 'selflessness' as the neuropsychological basis
of spiritual transcendence," was published in the International
Journal of the Psychology of Religion.
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