Scientists have speculated for years 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 that multiple areas of the brain are responsible for the many aspects of spiritual experiences.
The new work is based on a previously published study that indicated spiritual transcendence is associated with decreased right parietal lobe functioning,
New research has indicated that there is no one God-spot
in the human brain and that in fact spirituality is stimulated across all lobes
in the brain
Missouri University (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.'
Previous research had pointed to the existence of a single
God-spot that was stimulated by religious experience but a new study claims that
is not the case
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 of spirituality, 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,' said Johnstone.
'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.
Professor Brick Johnstone of Missouri University's study
sees no difference in the mind of a Buddhist or Christian when religious
experiences occur
'This is 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.
Professor Johnstone's findings claim that even the mind of
world-renowned atheist Richard Dawkins is stimulated in the same way as a
Christian or Muslim when they experience their minds version of
spirituality
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.
The research indicated that there are all kinds of spiritual experiences that Christians might call closeness to God and atheists might call an awareness of themselves.
'This finding indicates that spiritual experiences are likely associated with different parts of the brain,” said Johnstone.
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God is an illusion created by archaic men to deal with the unknown: DEATH. Today only the weak cling to that belief. Hence it is proven that the less education you have the more religious you are.
ReplyDeleteI strongly think I am more educated than you are, yet strongly believe in God. My friend if you doubt the existence of God its like doubting your own existence. Look around you and see which of those things come into existence by chance? None! They all have makers. The more complex things are, the more evidence of a creator. Not everything can be seen, yet we know they exist, like radio wave etc. That we cant see God does not mean He does not exist. Think about this and stop being ridiculous
ReplyDeleteDoesn't matter what you think... Does it? You are so afraid of death you are a slave to the white man/ jewish or Arab's religion. Africans are a conquered race; we have no foundation of our own. In some African countries religion divides us.
DeleteWEAK MINDED FOOLS.
Illustration: A man finds himself in a forest, wondering what had happened. He began to walk through the "jungle" to find answers, suddenly he sighted a magnificent building afar off. He was glad that he would have some answers, until he got to the house, called out and no response. He tried the lock on the door, and found it unlocked, so he went inside. He saw the wonderful interior of the house, the furniture, the art works... He got to the dinning table and found a plate of food with left over grains of food. He still called but there was no response...
ReplyDeleteWould such a man ever conclude that no one built the house with the furniture and interior designs? Would he conclude that no one ate the food with left overs, or ever been to the house?
This world is the magnificent building, the interior designs & furniture are the landscape, oceans and structure of the earth. The left over food is the happenings of today: signs & wonder, and natural occurrences.
SHOULD ANYONE STILL CONCLUDE THAT NO ONE CREATED THIS WORLD? na una self, u dey fool.
Just like a foolish ignorant bush nigerian. No one saying that god doesn't exist... All in saying that the crap stories written in the bible are crap.
DeleteCALL ME A FOOL JUST LIKE A REAL CHRISTIAN... JUDGING PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY HAVE A DIFFERENT VIEW POINT. STUPID UNEDUCATED SCARED FOOL. YOU ARE LIKE CHILDREN; YOU NEED A SANTA TO MAKE YOU DO GOOD.
No today all these scientist they fool themselves for over i too know that is worrying them.
ReplyDeleteNaija! We are so religious cos of our level of poverty, atleast datz how de world is lookin at us. Religion! Look at how all these religious leaders use 'ple's brain and enrich demselves day-in day-out.
ReplyDeleteTHE WRITER OF THIS OR THE SO CALLED PROF SHOULD GO AND SLEEP,YOU ARE CONFUSE OF YOUR ORIGIN AND YOUR EXISTANCE.
ReplyDelete