Religion, Spirituality and the Brain

Studies of damaged brains have allowed scientists to gain incredible amounts of knowledge about the human brain. Damage to, removal and atrophy of, certain brain structures, has shown certain behavioural correlations. Damage and atrophy to certain parts of the right brain show correlations with patients being “hyper-religious.”

Other research has found that those claiming to be "born again", whether Protestant or Catholic, have significantly greater hippocampal atrophy than those who are non-religious.

Flickr wonderlane

University of California in San Diego neuroscientist VS Ramachandran, has concluded that "there is a neuronal basis for religious experiences", by studying patients suffering from temporal lobe epilepsy. Those who have seizures situated near the left ear have more spiritual experiences.

Other research has found that there is a connection between the level of religiosity and a lack of 5HT-1A receptors in the brain. Theses serotonin receptors were correlated with people self-reporting as religious, or spiritual, using brain imaging techniques. People with less 5HT-1A receptors are also more likely to experience more anxiety and depression, and so, may use religious beliefs and practices as a comfort mechanism.

Magic mushrooms, which contain Psilocybin, induce intense spiritual experiences and are being studied (see here). Magic mushrooms are used in many indigenous cultures with the belief that they provide access to the sacred world. Psilocin has a high affinity for the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor in the brain and it increases the concentration of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the basal ganglia by indirect means.

However, scientists believe that a number of structures in the brain need to work together to help us experience spirituality and religion. The majority of people tend to follow the religion which they were raised, but there also appears to be a significant genetic component is your level of religious intensity.

Radio Lab  Has a segment about spirituality and magic mushrooms.



Books To Read


Beyond the Body: An Investigation of Out-of-the-Body Experiences, Susan Blackmore