http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/spirituality/ A scientific look at the nature of spirituality, including meditation, near death experiences, religion and altered states of consciousness. en-us Thu, 16 Feb 2012 01:05:02 EST Thu, 16 Feb 2012 01:05:02 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/spirituality/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120203092031.htm When a patient afflicted with schizophrenia hears inner voices something is taking place inside the brain that prevents the individual from perceiving real voices. A simple electronic application may help the patient learn to shift focus. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:20:20 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120203092031.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120126143656.htm Psychologists have found that buying experiences makes people happier than possessions, but who spends their spare cash on experiences? Extraverts and people who are open to new experiences are more likely to make a habit of "experience shopping" and are happier as a result, according to new research. Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:36:36 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120126143656.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120126115937.htm "Stand by me" is a common refrain when it comes to friendship but new research demonstrates that the concept goes beyond pop music: keeping friends close has real physiological and psychological benefits. Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:59:59 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120126115937.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120124113045.htm Thinking about religion gives people more self-control on later, unrelated tasks, according to results from a series of recent studies. Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:30:30 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120124113045.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120120010447.htm Psychological research has found that religious people feel great about themselves, with a tendency toward higher social self-esteem and better psychological adjustment than non-believers. But a new study finds that this is only true in countries that put a high value on religion. Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:04:04 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120120010447.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120119133926.htm For students to accept the theory of evolution, an intuitive "gut feeling" may be just as important as understanding the facts, according to a new study. In an analysis of the beliefs of biology teachers, researchers found that a quick intuitive notion of how right an idea feels was a powerful driver of whether or not students accepted evolution -- often trumping factors such as knowledge level or religion. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:39:39 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120119133926.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111229203000.htm Women recently diagnosed with breast cancer have higher survival rates than those diagnosed in previous decades, according to new research. However, survivors continue to face health challenges after their treatments end. Previous research reports as many as 50 percent of breast cancer survivors are depressed. Now, researchers say a meditation technique can help breast cancer survivors improve their emotional and physical well-being. Thu, 29 Dec 2011 20:30:30 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111229203000.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111223114042.htm Does a belief in God confer any health benefits? Researchers in Norway have found a clear relationship between time spent in church and lower blood pressure in both women and men. Fri, 23 Dec 2011 11:40:40 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111223114042.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111221151718.htm An international study of holiday shopping and religion finds that dominant religious groups are more likely to experience "consumption mass hysteria" while shoppers in minority religions may view malls and stores much differently: as central meeting places that "can play an active role in the creation of a sacred event." Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:17:17 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111221151718.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111213110531.htm Consumers hold churches and pharmaceutical companies to different moral standards than other organizations, according to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research. Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:05:05 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111213110531.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111201132524.htm Some atheist scientists with children embrace religious traditions for social and personal reasons, according to new research. Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:25:25 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111201132524.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111130100220.htm Distrust is the central motivating factor behind why religious people dislike atheists, according to a new study led by psychologists. While reasons behind antagonism towards atheists have not been fully explored, the study is among the first explorations of the social psychological processes underlying anti-atheist sentiments. Wed, 30 Nov 2011 10:02:02 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111130100220.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111103143255.htm This fall, Hoopes and his students have watched two predicted cataclysmic dates -- Oct. 21 and 28 -- come and go with little fanfare. Oct. 21 was a date selected by California evangelist Harold Camping after his original May 21, 2011, prediction passed without calamity. Swedish pharmacologist, self-help advocate and self-taught Maya cosmologist Carl Johan Calleman was among those predicting that Oct. 28 would usher in a worldwide unified consciousness. Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:32:32 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111103143255.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111031220259.htm A new study of body ownership using the rubber hand illusion found that people with schizophrenia have a weakened sense of self awareness and produced one of the rare documented cases of a spontaneous out-of-body experience in the laboratory. Mon, 31 Oct 2011 22:02:02 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111031220259.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111031154134.htm In times of stress, we're often encouraged to pause for a moment and simply be in the 'now.' This kind of mindfulness, an essential part of Buddhist and Indian Yoga traditions, has entered the mainstream as people try to find ways to combat stress and improve their quality of life. Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:41:41 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111031154134.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111028113626.htm The ability to dream is a fascinating aspect of the human mind. However, how the images and emotions that we experience so intensively when we dream form in our heads remains a mystery. Up to now it has not been possible to measure dream content. Scientists in Germany have now succeeded, for the first time, in analyzing the activity of the brain during dreaming. Fri, 28 Oct 2011 11:36:36 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111028113626.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111027125245.htm Being reminded of the concept of God can decrease people's motivation to pursue personal goals but can help them resist temptation, according to new research. Thu, 27 Oct 2011 12:52:52 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111027125245.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111026143811.htm Individuals who practice religion and spirituality report better physical and mental health than those who do not. To better understand this relationship and how spirituality/religion can be used for coping with significant health issues, researchers are examining what aspects of religion are most beneficial and for what populations. Now, researchers have found that religious and spiritual support improves health outcomes for both men and women who face chronic health conditions. Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:38:38 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111026143811.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111021125759.htm When consumers share their thoughts about products or experiences, their opinions can intensify, according to a new study. But it depends on whether they're talking about something sensory or practical. Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:57:57 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111021125759.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110929074205.htm A single high dose of the hallucinogen psilocybin, the active ingredient in so-called "magic mushrooms," was enough to bring about a measurable personality change lasting at least a year in nearly 60 percent of the participants in a new study, according to researchers. Thu, 29 Sep 2011 07:42:42 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110929074205.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110927124916.htm Over half of the residents of battered women's shelters in the United States are children, according to statistics. Now, a new, innovative online training program aims to elevate children's voices, so that service providers may better hear, understand, and respond to the children and families they serve. Tue, 27 Sep 2011 12:49:49 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110927124916.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110921115923.htm Throughout history, science and religion have appeared as being in perpetual conflict, but a new study suggests that only a minority of scientists at major research universities see religion and science as requiring distinct boundaries. Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:59:59 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110921115923.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110920121615.htm Intuition may lead people toward a belief in the divine and help explain why some people have more faith in God than others, according to new research. Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:16:16 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110920121615.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110912095131.htm Among the many ways that participation in Alcoholics Anonymous helps its members stay sober, two appear to be most important -- spending more time with individuals who support efforts towards sobriety and increased confidence in the ability to maintain abstinence in social situations. Researchers now report the first study to examine the relative importance of behavior changes associated with participation in AA on successful recovery. Mon, 12 Sep 2011 09:51:51 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110912095131.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110829131258.htm Death following severe traumatic brain injury is associated with a highly variable incidence of withdrawal of life support at the end of life, finds a new study. Rates of withdrawal of life support vary between hospitals, and caution should be used in making this decision, the study states. Mon, 29 Aug 2011 13:12:12 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110829131258.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110815113536.htm Researchers compared the sleep of "vegetative" patients and minimally conscious state patients. The results of their study demonstrate once again the necessity of an adapted and specific medical care for each of these states. Mon, 15 Aug 2011 11:35:35 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110815113536.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110812091600.htm The perceived role of God in illness and recovery is a primary influence upon the health care beliefs and behaviors of American Muslims, a first-of-its-kind study has discovered. Fri, 12 Aug 2011 09:16:16 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110812091600.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110808170052.htm There may be a few atheists in foxholes, but a new study suggests that in societies under stress, those who are religious outnumber -- and are happier than -- their nonreligious counterparts. Where peace and plenty are the norm, however, religious participation is lower and people are happier whether or not they are religious, the researchers found. Mon, 08 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110808170052.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110808124245.htm A new study finds that education has a positive effect on Americans' churchgoing habits, devotional practices, emphasis on religion in daily life and support for religious leaders to weigh in on the issues of the day. Mon, 08 Aug 2011 12:42:42 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110808124245.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110805083022.htm Researchers have found that those who believe in a benevolent God tend to worry less and be more tolerant of life's uncertainties than those who believe in an indifferent or punishing God. Fri, 05 Aug 2011 08:30:30 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110805083022.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110801094724.htm Attending a non-denominational spiritual retreat can help patients with severe heart trouble feel less depressed and more hopeful about the future, a new study has found. Mon, 01 Aug 2011 09:47:47 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110801094724.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110727131421.htm A new study finds that practicing yoga reduces the physical and psychological symptoms of chronic pain in women with fibromyalgia. The study is the first to look at the effects of yoga on cortisol levels in women with fibromyalgia. Participants' saliva revealed elevated levels of total cortisol following a program of 75 minutes of hatha yoga twice weekly over the course of eight weeks. Wed, 27 Jul 2011 13:14:14 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110727131421.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110718201516.htm Doctors should be allowed to object to any procedure that conflicts with their personal, moral, or religious beliefs, reveals a survey of medical students. Mon, 18 Jul 2011 20:15:15 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110718201516.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110714103828.htm New research finds that humans have natural tendencies to believe in gods and an afterlife. Research suggests that people across many different cultures instinctively believe that some part of their mind, soul or spirit lives on after-death. The studies demonstrate that people are natural 'dualists' finding it easy to conceive of the separation of the mind and the body. Thu, 14 Jul 2011 10:38:38 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110714103828.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110714091940.htm Researchers have found that long time meditators have stronger connections between brain regions, and show less age-related atrophy when compared to a control group. Having stronger connections influences the ability to rapidly relay electrical signals in the brain. And significantly, these effects are evident throughout the entire brain, not just in specific areas. Thu, 14 Jul 2011 09:19:19 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110714091940.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110713121419.htm Hospitalized patients who had conversations about religion and spirituality with the health-care team were the most satisfied with their overall care. However, 20 percent of patients who would have valued these discussions say their desires went unmet, according to a new study. Wed, 13 Jul 2011 12:14:14 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110713121419.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110712210922.htm Menopause shouldn't be seen as a medical problem that needs fixing but as a life-affirming and normal process that women go through. This is one of the findings by psychotherapist Sue Brayne, who is presenting her insights into the lived, felt experiences of women going through menopause. Tue, 12 Jul 2011 21:09:09 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110712210922.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110711081249.htm Although out-of-body experiences (OBEs) are typically associated with migraine, epilepsy and psychopathology, they are quite common in healthy and psychologically normal individuals as well. However, they are poorly understood. A new study has linked these experiences to neural instabilities in the brain’s temporal lobes and to errors in the body’s sense of itself – even in non clinical populations. Mon, 11 Jul 2011 08:12:12 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110711081249.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110707173321.htm In the late 1990s, Jane Anderson was working as a landscape architect. That meant she didn't work much in the winter, and she struggled with seasonal affective disorder in the dreary Minnesota winter months. She decided to try meditation and noticed a change within a month. Her experience inspired a new study, which found changes in brain activity after only five weeks of meditation training. Thu, 07 Jul 2011 17:33:33 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110707173321.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110628095246.htm Researchers found that if traumatic brain injury victims feel close to a higher power, it can help them rehabilitate. Tue, 28 Jun 2011 09:52:52 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110628095246.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110622115307.htm Mental illness of a family member can destroy the family's connection with the religious community, a new study by psychologists has found, leading many affected families to leave the church and their faith behind. Wed, 22 Jun 2011 11:53:53 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110622115307.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110620094419.htm Coming out as lesbian, gay or bisexual increases emotional well-being even more than earlier research has indicated. But the psychological benefits of revealing one's sexual identity -- less anger, less depression, and higher self-esteem -- are limited to supportive settings, a new study shows. The findings underscore the importance of creating workplaces and other social settings that are accepting of all people, but especially gay, lesbian or bisexual individuals. Mon, 20 Jun 2011 09:44:44 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110620094419.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110523101921.htm Praying about health issues dramatically increased among American adults over the past three decades, rising 36 percent between 1999 and 2007, according to a new study. Mon, 23 May 2011 10:19:19 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110523101921.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110509114027.htm Knowing how long a good experience will last makes it better, but being aware of the duration of an unpleasant event makes it worse, according to a new study. But people usually predict the opposite effect. Mon, 09 May 2011 11:40:40 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110509114027.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110505164535.htm Students have created a system that pairs an EEG headset with a 3-D theatrical flying harness, allowing users to "fly" by controlling their thoughts. The "Infinity Simulator" will make its debut with an art installation in which participants rise into the air -- and trigger light, sound, and special effects -- by calming their thoughts. Thu, 05 May 2011 16:45:45 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110505164535.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110505124039.htm 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 -- one that more closely aligns with scientific discovery -- for "spiritual atheist" scientists. Thu, 05 May 2011 12:40:40 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110505124039.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110505083421.htm New research shows that musicians' brains are highly developed in a way that makes the musicians alert, interested in learning, disposed to see the whole picture, calm, and playful. The same traits have previously been found among world-class athletes, top-level managers, and individuals who practice transcendental meditation. Thu, 05 May 2011 08:34:34 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110505083421.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110427131818.htm A new study uses creative engineering to unravel brain mechanisms associated with one of the most fundamental subjective human feelings: self-consciousness. The research identifies a brain region called the temporo-parietal junction as being critical for the feeling of being an entity localized at a particular position in space and for perceiving the world from this position and perspective. Wed, 27 Apr 2011 13:18:18 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110427131818.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110421122337.htm The positive effects of mindfulness meditation on pain and working memory may result from an improved ability to regulate a crucial brain wave called the alpha rhythm. This rhythm is thought to "turn down the volume" on distracting information, which suggests that a key value of meditation may be helping the brain deal with an often overstimulating world. Thu, 21 Apr 2011 12:23:23 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110421122337.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110420112334.htm Belief in God doesn't deter a person from cheating on a test, unless that God is seen as a mean, punishing one, researchers say. Wed, 20 Apr 2011 11:23:23 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110420112334.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110414141447.htm A new study shows that urban adolescents with asthma may experience worse outcomes when not using spiritual coping and often use complementary and alternative medicine, or integrative medicine, like prayer or relaxation, to manage symptoms. Thu, 14 Apr 2011 14:14:14 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110414141447.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110410194705.htm Churches will continue to attract older congregations as increasing life expectancy encourages people to put off involvement in religion, according to new research. Sun, 10 Apr 2011 19:47:47 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110410194705.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110405174835.htm Meditation produces powerful pain-relieving effects in the brain, according to new research. For the study, healthy volunteers who had never meditated learned a meditation technique known as focused attention. Focused attention is a form of mindfulness meditation where people are taught to attend to the breath and let go of distracting thoughts and emotions. Tue, 05 Apr 2011 17:48:48 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110405174835.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110404110419.htm New research reveals the role that guilt may play as a motivational tool for cardiovascular patients. Mon, 04 Apr 2011 11:04:04 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110404110419.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110404105905.htm A study of the spiritual benefits of gardening and horticultural endeavors found a link between reading plant parables and people's beliefs that horticultural activities have spiritual benefits. After reading parables from Chinese literature and the Bible, students with horticultural experience increasingly agreed that horticultural activities can promote spiritual health; students with no horticulture background did not report a change in perception. The research adds a new dimension to the study of "therapeutic horticulture." Mon, 04 Apr 2011 10:59:59 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110404105905.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110321134714.htm Saying a prayer may help many people feel less angry and behave less aggressively after someone has left them fuming, new research suggests. A series of studies showed that people who were provoked by insulting comments from a stranger showed less anger and aggression soon afterwards if they prayed for another person in the meantime. Mon, 21 Mar 2011 13:47:47 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110321134714.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110308084751.htm Researchers in Spain are addressing the relationship between religion, eating disorders and body image perception among adolescents. To carry out this study, researchers took a sample of 494 students aged 12-20 years from three public schools in Ceuta, Spain. The incidence of eating disorders was found to be 2.3-fold higher among Muslim adolescents than among their Christian classmates. Similarly, body dissatisfaction was 1.8-fold higher in the former group. Tue, 08 Mar 2011 08:47:47 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110308084751.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110224091621.htm The body is a dancer's instrument, but is it attuned to the mind? A new study suggests that professional ballet and modern dancers are not as emotionally in sync with their bodies as are people who regularly practice meditation. Thu, 24 Feb 2011 09:16:16 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110224091621.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110217125115.htm Lifestyle changes -- such as getting more exercise, time in nature or helping others -- can be as effective as drugs or counseling to treat an array of mental illnesses, according to a new article. Thu, 17 Feb 2011 12:51:51 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110217125115.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110217082929.htm The explosion and fire on a BP-licensed oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2010 had huge environmental and economic effects, with millions of gallons of oil leaking into the water for more than five months. It also had significant psychological impact on people living in coastal communities, even in those areas that did not have direct oil exposure, according to researchers. Thu, 17 Feb 2011 08:29:29 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110217082929.htm