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Distinct 'God Spot' in the Brain Does Not Exist, Study Shows
ScienceDaily (Apr. 19, 2012) 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.
See Also: Healt h & Medicine Psychology Research Brain Tumor Nervous System Mind & Brain Spirituality Intelligence Neuroscience "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
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New research shows that spirituality is a complex phenomenon, and multiple areas of the brain are responsible for the many aspects of spiritual experiences. (Credit: iStockphoto/Stefan Schulze)
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Neuroscience Living Well

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 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. Ref erence Brain damage Energy (healing or psychic or spiritual) Functional neuroimaging Cerebral contusion "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 minimiz e 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. Share this story on Facebook, Twitter , and Google:
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Other social bookmarking and sharing tools: | St ory Source: The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Universit y of Missouri- Columbia . Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above. Journal Ref erence: 1. Brick Johnstonea, Angela Bodlinga, Dan Cohenb, Shawn E. Christc & Andrew Wegrz ync. Right Pariet al LobeRelat ed Self lessness as t he Neuropsychological Basis of Spirit ual Transcendence. International Journal of the Psychology of Religion., 2012 DOI: 10.1080/10508619.2012.657524 Need to cite this story in your essay, paper, or report? Use one of the following formats: APA MLA University of Missouri- Columbia (2012, April 19). Distinct 'God spot' in the brain does not exist, study shows. ScienceDaily . Retrieved May 7, 2012, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2012/04/120419091223.htm
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More than 20 percent of atheist scientists are spiritual, according to new research. Though the general public marries spirituality and religion, the study found that spirituality is a separate idea ... > read more Select ive Brain Damage Modulat es Human Spirit ualit y, Research Reveals (Feb. 10, 2010) New research provides fascinating insight into brain changes that might underlie alterations in spiritual and religious attitudes. The study explores the neural basis of spirituality by studying ... > read more
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