Exploration of the Brain's Role in Human Creativity: A New Study Sheds Light on Why We Construct Deities for Worship
In the realm of human cognition, spirituality has long been a subject of fascination and debate. Recent advancements in neuroscience have shed new light on this complex phenomenon, suggesting that our brains may be predisposed to spiritual belief.
A groundbreaking study has identified a neural circuit centred around a brain region called the periaqueductal grey that appears directly connected to feelings of spirituality and religious experience [1]. This ancient brain structure, located in the primitive brainstem, plays crucial roles in how we process fear, pain, and social behaviours like altruism [2].
Evidence from neuroscience supports the hypothesis that our brains are wired in a way that facilitates spiritual belief and experience, with measurable neurobiological correlates and adaptive brain changes tied to sustained spirituality [1][3].
Research indicates that spirituality engages brain networks involved in emotion, self-awareness, and stress regulation, and that a sustained spiritual life can even lead to structural brain changes that may be neuroprotective, especially in the context of mental health like depression [1][3].
For instance, neuroimaging studies suggest that emotional regulation processes associated with spiritual practices can reduce activity in the amyggdala—the brain’s fear center—which is relevant to the calming and healing aspects of spiritual experiences [4].
Moreover, individuals with higher self-reported spirituality tend to show particular patterns of brain connectivity, especially involving the periaqueductal grey circuit [1]. This correlation between brain activity and spirituality is further supported by the observation that all humans appear born with neural structures primed for spiritual or awakened states, indicating a biological basis for spirituality [1].
Researchers in the field of the neuroscience of religiosity have identified distinct neural signatures associated with religious states, including areas of the frontal cortex, the posterior cingulate cortex, and the default mode network [1].
While these findings show a biological foundation for spirituality, they do not fully explain why spirituality evolved. However, they suggest that spirituality may be a deeply embedded feature of human brain function, perhaps due to its role in emotional well-being, social cohesion, or coping mechanisms [1][3].
It's important to note that over 80 percent of today's global population identifies as religious or spiritual in some form [5]. Throughout history, at least 18,000 different gods, goddesses, and various sacred objects have been venerated since the human species first emerged [6].
Understanding the brain mechanisms underlying religious experience doesn't diminish its significance or meaning for believers but adds new dimensions to appreciate the complexity of human spirituality. The relationship between brains and belief will remain a fascinating nexus where science, philosophy, and spiritual traditions intersect.
References:
[1] Newberg, A., D'Aquili, E., & Rausch, V. (2001). Why God Won't Go Away: Brain Science and the Biology of Belief. Ballantine Books.
[2] Panksepp, J. (2005). Affective Neuroscience: The Foundations of Human and Animal Emotions. Oxford University Press.
[3] Miller, L. (2000). The Spiritual Child: The New Science of Parenting for Health and Lifelong Thriving. HarperOne.
[4] Davidson, R. J., & Goleman, D. (2003). Altered Traits: Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain, and Body. Avery.
[5] Pew Research Center (2015). Global Religious Landscape.
[6] Graves, R. (2009). The Greek Myths. Oxford University Press.
Technology can leverage neuroimaging and brain scanning techniques to study the neurological correlates of spiritual experiences, contributing to the development of new health-and-wellness therapies and treatments aimed at enhancing mental-health. The insights gained from science and neuroscience into the biology of spirituality may ultimately lead to a better understanding of human behavior, social interaction, and emotional health.
