Scientists say they have linked spirituality with surprising brain circuits

A new study from Brigham and a woman’s hospital claimed to have linked spirituality with certain brain circuits, noting that this tendency seems to be “very interwoven into our neuro fabric.” These findings are made possible by using lesions in the patient’s brain to map behavior with certain brain circuits, as well as survey data from patients.

This study involved 88 neurosurgical patients who needed brain operations to remove tumors located in various parts of the brain. The patients were surveyed about their spiritual acceptance before their respective operations and more afterwards. This group is divided almost evenly between those who become less spiritual after surgery, those who become more spiritual, and those who experience change.

Based on data, including where brain lesions are, this study connects certain brain circuits in the area of ​​the gray brain periaqueductal (PAG) with spiritual reception and religiosity. Similar changes in spirituality are found in cases where lesions intersect with positive and negative parts of the circuit.

Researchers are careful to note that the public should not “interpret” this study means things that don’t. The study noted that details about potentially religious parenting, for example, and patients all come from cultures where Christianity is a dominant religion.

Additional research into the topic is needed, but this finding provides interesting insight regardless of, with the appropriate research writer Michael Ferguson, Ph.D., explained:

“Our results suggest that spirituality and religiosity are rooted in fundamental, neurobiological dynamics and deeply woven into our neuro-fabric. We were astonished to find that this brain circuit for spirituality is centered in one of the most evolutionarily preserved structures in the brain.”