Current understanding of religion, spirituality, and their neurobiological correlates

Abstract: Religion and spirituality (R/S) have been prominent aspects of most human cultures through the ages; however, scientific inquiry into this phenomenon has been limited. We conducted a systematic literature review of research on the neurobiological correlates of R/S, which resulted in 25 rep...

Ausführliche Beschreibung

Gespeichert in:
Bibliographische Detailangaben
Hauptverfasser: Rim, James (VerfasserIn) , Ojeda, Jesse (VerfasserIn) , Svob, Connie (VerfasserIn) , Kayser, Jürgen (VerfasserIn) , Flach, Elisa (VerfasserIn) , Kim, Youkyung (VerfasserIn) , Tenke, Craig (VerfasserIn) , Skipper, Jamie (VerfasserIn) , Weissman, Myrna (VerfasserIn)
Dokumenttyp: Article (Journal)
Sprache:Englisch
Veröffentlicht: September/October 2019
In: Harvard review of psychiatry
Year: 2019, Jahrgang: 27, Heft: 5, Pages: 303-316
ISSN:1465-7309
DOI:10.1097/HRP.0000000000000232
Online-Zugang:Verlag, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1097/HRP.0000000000000232
Volltext
Verfasserangaben:James Rim, Jesse Ojeda, Connie Svob, Jürgen Kayser, Elisa Drews, Youkyung Kim, Craig Tenke, Jamie Skipper, Myrna Weissman
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:Abstract: Religion and spirituality (R/S) have been prominent aspects of most human cultures through the ages; however, scientific inquiry into this phenomenon has been limited. We conducted a systematic literature review of research on the neurobiological correlates of R/S, which resulted in 25 reports studying primarily R/S with electroencephalography, structural neuroimaging (MRI), and functional neuroimaging (fMRI, PET). These studies investigated a wide range of religions (e.g., Christianity, Buddhism, Islam) and R/S states and behaviors (e.g., resting state, prayer, judgments) and employed a wide range of methodologies, some of which (e.g., no control group, varying measures of religiosity, small sample sizes) raise concerns about the validity of the results. Despite these limitations, the findings of these studies collectively suggest that the experience of R/S has specific neurobiological correlates and that these correlates are distinct from non-R/S counterparts. The findings implicate several brain regions potentially associated with R/S development and behavior, including the medial frontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, precuneus, posterior cingulate cortex, default mode network, and caudate. This research may suggest future clinical applications and interventions related to R/S and various disorders, including mood, anxiety, psychotic, pain, and vertiginous disorders. Further studies with more rigorous study designs are warranted to elucidate the neurobiological mechanisms of R/S and their potential clinical applications.
Beschreibung:Gesehen am 28.10.2019
Beschreibung:Online Resource
ISSN:1465-7309
DOI:10.1097/HRP.0000000000000232