Researchers in the United States have discovered that prayer impacts the human brain similarly to music and other stimuli. The study pinpointed particular brain regions that become active during prayer.
The journal Social Neuroscience has presented the scientific community with research findings from American experts. In their publications, the researchers acknowledge that understanding of phenomena, which believers attribute to “higher spiritual forces” experienced during prayer, is still limited. Nevertheless, modern technology provides new possibilities for a more thorough investigation of these matters.
Jeffrey Anderson, an author of the study, has extensively researched brain functions in individuals displaying specific behavioral traits. Previously, scientists investigated the brain activity of avid gamers who were deeply attached to their hobby and observed unusual patterns in their brain function.
The research focus has now shifted to Mormons in Utah. Researchers analyzed the brain activity of numerous devout Mormons engaged in scripture reading and prayer through magnetic resonance imaging. The study took place in a room specially outfitted with parishioner photos and quotes from renowned religious figures, creating an ambiance reminiscent of their faith.
The study pinpointed specific “prayer centers” in the brain that activate when individuals engage with their faith. These regions overlap with those activated by music, particularly the pleasure center, which shows heightened activity during intense religious experiences. Additionally, the medial prefrontal cortex and other regions linked to focus were observed to be active.
It is noteworthy that brain activity in regions other than those typically associated with prayer is observed when individuals pray. This finding by scientists contributes to a more profound comprehension of religion’s nature and elucidates why many people consider themselves believers.
Dr. Donna Jung’s research at Ohio University has verified that terminally ill individuals can postpone their passing to coincide with significant life events through earnest prayer and faith. Analyzing the medical records of 300,000 cancer patients who passed away between 1989 and 2000, Dr. Jung identified Christmas and birthdays as notable dates. The research indicated that over one percent of these patients managed to delay their deaths, surpassing these holidays.
The perception of prayer as a means to affect health has evolved as scientists have started to investigate its impact.
Once dismissed as mere mumbling, prayer is now garnering research interest.
A study at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, USA, engaged monks and clergy from diverse religions to pray for heart patients. Following the observation of 700 patients and subsequent data analysis, Professor Mitchell Krucoff reported that 500 patients showed a 93% improvement in recovery. Professor Krucoff posits that concentrating on sacred texts may positively influence heart function and stabilize various bodily processes, warranting further investigation.
Expanded scientific rsearch
Recent studies have indicated that prayer may influence the human body’s condition and even possess the capability to eliminate harmful bacteria in water. For over a decade, scientists have been examining phenomena that appear to transcend scientific explanation, such as the effects of the sign of the cross, sacred texts, and the curative attributes of holy water. The following are some observations:
The effects of the Lord’s Prayer and the sign of the cross on pathogenic bacteria have been studied. Water samples from various sources, including wells, rivers, and lakes contaminated with E. coli and staphylococcus, were used in the study. The results indicated that after the prayer was recited and the water was blessed with the sign of the cross, the number of pathogenic microorganisms decreased significantly, by an average of a hundredfold.
Additionally, a notable discovery that confirmed the power of prayer also astonished scientists. It is a recognized phenomenon among psychiatrists and neurologists that prayer can lead to the alleviation of mental disorders and sometimes to the recovery of patients deemed incurable, which appears scientifically inexplicable.
Priests and seminarians were invited to pray, and their brain activity was monitored with electroencephalograms during their prayers. To the scientists’ amazement, a phenomenon was observed.
Traditionally, brain functioning is categorized into three main states: active and passive sleep phases, and the waking state, each distinguished by unique bioelectrical activity rhythms. Recent studies, however, have indicated a fourth state of consciousness during prayer, characterized by a significant slowdown in brain biocurrents’ rhythm, akin to “prayer wakefulness.” In this state, active mental processes are diminished, suggesting that consciousness may operate independently of the body.
Electroencephalographic studies show that in the normal waking state, an adult’s cerebral cortex generates alpha and beta rhythms, ranging from 8 to 30 hertz. During prayer, biocurrent frequencies have been observed to drop to 3 hertz, aligning with delta rhythms typically seen in infants aged two to three months.
In certain instances, encephalograms have displayed a complete lack of alpha and beta rhythms, with only delta rhythms present, suggesting a regression of the adult brain to a more childlike state. This phenomenon echoes the biblical call for salvation through childlike innocence: “Be like children!”
Researchers have observed that during prayer, it is possible to disrupt unhealthy neural connections in the brain as individuals cease to focus on their ailments. This cessation can facilitate healing, even in severe cases of illness. Instances of cancer remission exist, though they necessitate further detailed analysis. A critical factor for attaining such healing effects is the presence of genuine and profound faith, coupled with prayer.
The cause of many diseases is fear
Research by physician Alain Bombard suggests that individuals stranded at sea are more likely to perish from fear than from starvation, dehydration, or storm conditions. Bombard tested this theory on himself by spending a month on a life raft in the ocean without provisions, surviving by conquering his fear. Similarly, it has been observed that religious individuals with inoperable cancer tend to live, on average, five years longer than non-religious individuals. This is attributed to the calming effects of prayer, which helps them alleviate fear, accept the transient nature of life, recognize true values, and thus, potentially boost their immune system, according to scientific findings.
Studies have indicated that prayer can positively impact individuals with hypertension and diabetes by reducing cholesterol levels and stabilizing metabolic processes within minutes. It is especially beneficial for those experiencing severe depression or manic-depressive psychosis. Generally, the graver the illness, the more frequently individuals turn to religion for comfort and support. Researchers at Pasadena Theological Seminary and the University of California, for instance, interviewed over 400 patients with schizophrenia, major depression, and other mental health issues, discovering that 80% utilized prayer to cope with despair, aggression, and heightened emotional sensitivity.
Scientists have discovered that prayer impacts individuals, a phenomenon recognized in our era. While believers have long understood prayer as a dialogue between the soul and God, influencing the entire being, scientific studies now also acknowledge its effects on a person.
