Neuroscience of religion

The neuroscience of religion, also known as "neurotheology"^[1] or "spiritual neuroscience,"^[2] seeks to explain the biological and neurological processes behind religious experience.^[3] Researchers in this field study correlations of the biological neural phenomena, in addition to subjective experiences of spirituality, in order to explain how brain activity functions in response to religious and spiritual practices and beliefs. This contrasts with the psychology of religion, which studies the behavioral responses to religious practices. Some people do warn of the limitations of neurotheology, as they worry that it may simplify the socio-cultural complexity of religion down to neurological factors.

Researchers that study the field of the neuroscience of religion use a formulation of scientific techniques to understand the correlations between brain pathways in response to spiritually based stimuli. The is used interdisciplinary with neurological and evolutionary studies in order to understand the broader subjective experiences under which traditionally categorized spiritual or religious practices are organized.^[4] This is done through a multilateral approach of scientific and cultural studies. Such studies include but is not limited to fMRI and EEG scans, theological studies, and anthropological studies. By using these approaches, researchers can better understand how spirituality and religion affect the chemistry of human brains and in turn how brain activity may affect experiences of transcendence and spirituality.

^ "Neurotheology: This Is Your Brain On Religion". NPR. 15 December 2010.
^ Biello, David (October 2007). "Searching for God in the Brain". Scientific American. Vol. 18, no. 5. pp. 38–45. doi:10.1038/scientificamericanmind1007-38.
^ Aaen-Stockdale, Craig (2012). "Neuroscience for the Soul". The Psychologist. 25 (7): 520–523. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
^ Gajilan, A. Chris (5 April 2007). "Are humans hard-wired for faith?". CNN.com. Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2007. [...] these brain scans may provide proof that our brains are built to believe in God. He says there may be universal features of the human mind that actually make it easier for us to believe in a higher power. [...] Anthropologists like Atran say, 'Religion is a byproduct of many different evolutionary functions that organized our brains for day-to-day activity.'

[1] "Neurotheology: This Is Your Brain On Religion". NPR. 15 December 2010.

[Biello-2] Biello, David (October 2007). "Searching for God in the Brain". Scientific American. Vol. 18, no. 5. pp. 38–45. doi:10.1038/scientificamericanmind1007-38.

[AaenStockdale-3] Aaen-Stockdale, Craig (2012). "Neuroscience for the Soul". The Psychologist. 25 (7): 520–523. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2012.

[gajilan2007-4] Gajilan, A. Chris (5 April 2007). "Are humans hard-wired for faith?". CNN.com. Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2007. [...] these brain scans may provide proof that our brains are built to believe in God. He says there may be universal features of the human mind that actually make it easier for us to believe in a higher power. [...] Anthropologists like Atran say, 'Religion is a byproduct of many different evolutionary functions that organized our brains for day-to-day activity.'

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