Rita Hancock, MD (aka “Dr. Rita”) is a graduate of Cornell University and is a board-certified Physical Medicine specialist with sub-specialty board certification in Pain Management. She has been in full-time practice for fifteen years. Her most recent book is Radical Wellbeing – A Biblical Guide to Overcoming Pain, Illness and Addictions.
Dr. Hancock recently interviewed Dr. Andrew Newberg on his research about God and the brain. Dr. Newberg is considered a pioneer in the neuroscientific study of religious and spiritual experiences, a field frequently referred to as – neurotheology.
With the permission of Dr. Hancock, I’m sharing a copy of her interview with Dr. Newberg here.
Dr. Rita:
Dr. Newberg, one of the main messages I got from your book, How God Changes Your Brain was, “No matter what religion you ar about because your thoughts will change your brain.” Did I get it right that your thoughts literally change your brain?
Dr. Newberg:
Yes, it is really a two way street. Your brain changes your thoughts and your thoughts change your brain. The more you focus on a particular belief or belief system, the stronger those connections become. If you focus on God being loving and compassionate, you increase the amount of love and compassion in your brain, and your outward behaviors. If you focus on God being vengeful and hateful, you increase the amount of hate and anger in your brain, and your outward behaviors. As the saying goes, neurons that fire together wire together, and this is true no matter what our beliefs are. The more we focus on something, the more it becomes a part of how our brain functions.
Dr. Rita:
The Bible says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18). Can you tell us about the research on how fearful thoughts vs. loving thoughts affect the brain and the body in general?
Dr. Newberg:
Love generally activates the positive emotional and social areas of the brain (i.e. the precuneus and frontal lobe). The primary area involved in fear is the amygdala. This area lights up in our brain when we are afraid. Other areas of the brain such as the frontal lobe helps to regulate the fear response. So your quote is probably fairly accurate as far as the brain goes. When we focus on love, the activity in the frontal lobe actually can suppress the fear responses in the amygdala. So the more we focus on love and compassion, the less fear we will feel.
Dr. Rita:
In your book, you talk about the potential health benefits of meditation and you aim at all religions. Since my work is geared specifically to Christians, can you please discuss the difference between meditation and prayer and talk about whether your results are relevant to Christian prayer?
Dr. Newberg:
There is certainly a fair amount of overlap between meditation and certain types of prayer. We studied nuns doing Centering prayer which, as you know, is a more contemplative practice. These types of prayer practices certainly should affect the brain in similar ways as other types of meditative/contemplative practices. For example, in centering prayer, we saw increased activity in the frontal lobes and decreased activity in the parietal lobes (this is believed to be associated with the sense of self and decreased activity is associated with losing that sense of self and feeling connected to the universe or God. Other types of Christian practices affect the brain slightly differently. We performed a study on the rosary and showed that it reduced anxiety significantly. The combination of its meaning and the ritualized elements, probably suppress the activity in the amygdala (as above) and reduce anxiety and fear in people. Other practices such as conversational prayer activate social areas of the brain and, when combined with feelings of love and compassion, likely reduce stress and anxiety, as well as spill over to enhancing a person’s social interactions.
Dr. Rita:
In your book, you talked about habits that can actually prevent brain atrophy with aging and illness. Many of your suggestions (listening to soothing music, repeating meaningful phrases out loud, moving the body, and meditating on positive, loving thoughts) remind me of elements of church services! Thus, would you say that attending a positive and healthy church might be good for the PHYSICAL body? Does research support that?
Dr. Newberg:
Absolutely, it can be good. The more you activate the positive emotions, derive meaning and optimism, access social support, and engage the brain in music, movement, and contemplation, the better it is for your whole body and brain. Lower levels of stress and anxiety lower the amount of the stress hormone cortisol. Since cortisol suppresses the immune system, lower levels help improve the immune system’s function, and reduce blood pressure and heart rate, all of which can be beneficial. But as you alluded to, if the person is hearing about fear, anger, and guilt, they may not experience the same types of healthful benefits.
Dr. Rita:
How do a person’s past experiences with God affect his or her current perception of Him? And are those perceptions permanent or changeable?
Dr. Newberg:
Everything that has ever happened to us affects us and our brain. If we have traditionally felt that
God was supportive and loving, then those neuronal connections will affect our future thoughts and behaviors. Similarly with the negative side. However, all of our beliefs are changeable, although it is difficult and usually requires a conscious effort, other than those individuals who have specific transformative experiences. But if a person continues to pursue a more positive experience with God, they are more likely to alter their brain function in a way that supports that positive way of thinking.
Dr. Rita:
Please talk about how fast your brain can change and what it takes to keep up those positive changes.
Dr. Newberg:
On one hand, the brain is constantly changing. On the other hand, it probably takes some time to change the overall way in which the brain works. But it probably is not as long as you think. Our studies of people doing meditation showed that after only eight weeks, a 12 minute a day practice changed the brain pretty significantly. But the more you keep working on that change, probably the more change you will see. It is like a muscle, the more you work out, the bigger it becomes. In fact, brain scan studies have shown that the brains of long term meditators literally are thicker than those who do not practice. We showed similar changes in terms of overall brain activity being higher in spiritual individuals who have done meditation or prayer for many years. But it is also true that you have to use it or lose it. If you stop focusing on a particular idea, the brain will lose that connection over time. That is good if the connection supports a destructive belief, but can be bad if the connection supports a positive belief.
Dr. Rita:
Please tell readers how to find out more about you and your work on how prayer affects the brain in positive ways. Include links!
Dr. Newberg:
I would recommend my books: How God Changes Your Brain, Why We Believe What We Believe, and Why God Won’t Go Away. Your readership might also be interested in my more theologically oriented book: Principles of Neurotheology. Also, I have several audio and video programs now available, including: The Spiritual Brain and Spiritual Practices for a Powerful Brain, and my website is www.andrewnewberg.com.
Dr. Rita:
Thank you Dr. Newberg for taking time out from your valuable research time to join us!
Dr. Newberg:
My pleasure!
This interview originally appeared in Dr. Hancock’s June, 2013 Christian Health and Weight Loss Newsletter.
Romans 12:2 tells us that we can be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Dr. Newberg’s research seems to support this biblical truth with medical findings.
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The bible verse As a man thinks in his heart so is he is without question true. To me the reign of god the creator is in the brain the place of his kingdom-e the skull. If you look at side views of the brain M.R.I. scan you will see what looks like a human body laying in a tomb which is the brain stem that gives life to the brain by way of Cerebrospinal fluid and its flow in and through the 4 ventricles around and to the nerve system of the body. To me this flow of pure fluid is what the bible calls the river of living water. The creation and evolution of the human brain is the story = my story = the mystery of mankind. If we would teach the physiology and working of the human brain as a main subject in public school we would not have need for doctors as we do today. Mans god of today is the medical doctor who can only put band aids on the problem of sickness that starts and ends with thought, word and action created by and in the brain. Thanks so much for your insights keep up the good work..
Hi there James, I appreciate and are with your entire comment. And I thank you for your encouragement for this ministry’s work. Blessings to you, Dale
Greeting my brother Dale, Dale when I was shown from above the secret mystery of the kingdom being in you it changed my entire understanding of the bible and the purpose for it as a guide to wisdom and understanding. The bible is alive and powerful when you know the truth it contains. The secret is knowing that the CHRIST in you is the assurance of glory and that Christ is a secretion not a person. The Greek word CHRIST means oil as the secret anointing oil that only the priest of old know how to mix as given to them by GOD. Once I knew the truth of that mystery one of the first bible verses that stood out and became clear is Revelation 22;1-5. The word mystery is found 22 times in the new test. and to me is the first thing any Christian should know yet very few have any knowledge there is a mystery that has been hidden from the foundation of the world. Just a few verses Mark 4;11 – Romans 16;25 Eph.1;9 & 3:3-4 &3:9 &5:32 &6:19 and note Colossians 1;25-29. Dale a very good you tube video to watch about the skull and the brain is STEAL YOUR FACE by Jon Whatley a 14:43 min. video The video helped me realized coming face to face with god takes place in the Skull the brain. The Greek word Calvary means skull as in your skull. Thanks again for your love in Christ Jesus and please let me know your thoughts Grace mercy and peace to you always
After reading published studies on this subject I’ve decided that I should start praying to believe in God and, more, do so several times a day. Actually, I will add prayers as if I already believe, so I’ll be thanking God for the day, hoping that God helps me in various situations I’m in and so forth. Someone told me that another way to know God is to read the Bible, something I’ve never done, so I’ll start doing that (1/2 hour a day is what was recommended), maybe even go to Church (there’s a Catholic Church near my home), another thing I’ve never done until recently (as a result of these articles and for other reasons).
I’ve been an atheist all my life but I think it’s better for my health to become a believer and actually practice my faith. I’ll probably have to eventually convert but I won’t even consider that until this “experiment” on myself yields some ground, that is, until I at least believe in God.
I don’t know if I can, but I’ll be really trying. I also read that surrounding myself with believers helps, so in addition to going to Church (Mass in this case) I will help in their outreach programs.
I realize that this will now take up a lot of my time but it seems to be worth it after all.
HLM!
I admire your dedication and the multi-faceted approach you this undertaking. I do not know where you are in the process since you wrote this post. However, I pray to the Father in the name of Jesus Christ that your life is filled with love, peace, and abundant faith. Your journey towards deep fulfillment will not be in vain. Our Lord Jesus Christ loves you and will not go back on His word. I congratulate you in advance!
Dear DAG When we know who the disciple Jesus loved is in the Gospel of John we will know who we truly are and the Mystery of the kingdom of God. Maek 4:11 The apostle Paul was sent to reveal that Mystery but it was soon hidden from the general public by the universal Roman Church. Knowing the mystery of salvation is the key and power of resurrection and Godly living. That MYSTERY is MY-STORY and MY-MISSED- Story of who and what I really am. A Son or Daughter of the most high Creator. Yes I am filled with LOVE, Peace, and have the Spirit, and Mind of the Christ Anointing within. Christ is not a person but a heavenly Anointing that brings the Chrism Gifts of LOVE and Grace by the Faith of Jesus not the Faith in Jesus as He lives in you. The Greek word for Christ is Christos and means OIL, The Oil for anointing the Head. The Hebrew word is Massiah which means Anointed one. Please read Colossians 1:25-28 note vs.27 & Romans 16:25 & first John 2:27 The word Mystery is found 26 time in the N.T. for a very good reason. Please find and read each passage where it appears. The Disciple Jesus Loves is the one who hears his voice and follows as a Disciplined one. The first of all commandment with promise is HEAR O ISRAEL Mark 12:29-31 The time for the EYE of understanding and the Ear to hear what the Spirit is saying is here. The year 2020, the year of a New Heaven and a New earth when the old passes away and the new begins. Fear not the LORD of HOST lives in you and is the power to over come all evil. LIVE spelled backward = EVIL add a D DEVIL
Greater is he that is in you than He that is of the outer world AMEN
I am experiencing a difference in my thought process. For example I have post traumatic stress disorder and my fear is lessening. I am able to stay and visit friends now and not fear like I have to leave in less than five minutes. I’m up to thirty minutes now. I’ve been reading daily devotions and have prayed for two months now and this has really helped. Still afraid that it might come back and be worse but im taking it one day at a time and walking with a strong belief that God’s love is always with me.