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CrowdScience: What does prayer do to my brain?

Discussion & Talk

Crowd of people praying

17/05/2024 GMT

What does prayer do to my brain?

BBC World Service - CrowdScience, What does prayer do to my brain?

Can science explain the effects of prayer on our brains and wellbeing?

How does praying affect our brains and wellbeing? Our listener Hilary, a counsellor with a strong faith, is curious to know if science can illuminate this spiritual practice.

Prayer and meditation are key features of religious and spiritual practices around the world, suggesting they’re intimately linked to the human condition. But what is going on in the brain during prayer? And is praying beneficial for our mental health? 

CrowdScience listener Hilary is keen to find answers to such questions. She’s a counsellor with a strong Christian faith, and is curious to know whether science can illuminate religious and spiritual practices. 

Presenter Caroline Steel talks to neuroscientists researching how our brains respond to prayer and meditation; and practices mindfulness herself to explore its similarities to prayer. She discovers that having a relationship with God may depend on more than religious practice. And is there a ‘spiritual part’ to our brains? Or is prayer just one activity among many - like going for a walk or playing music - that can have similar effects on our state of mind? 

Featuring: 
Professor Andrew Newberg, Director of Research Marcus Institute of Integrative Health, Thomas Jefferson University and Hospital, USA
Tessa Watt, mindfulness teacher 
Ven. Hin Hung Sik, Centre of Buddhist Studies, University of Hong Kong 
Dr Junling Gao, Centre of Buddhist Studies, University of Hong Kong 
Dr Blake Victor Kent, Westmont College, USA 

Presenter: Caroline Steel 
Producer: Jo Glanville 
Editor: Cathy Edwards 
Studio Manager: Tim Heffer 
Production Co-ordinator: Liz Tuohy

(Photo: A crowd of people praying. Credit: Digital Vision/Getty Images)

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