Research to understand the impact of prayer on well-being has raised interesting scientific questions related to brain activity
Many people see prayer not just as an act of faith, but as a practice that brings peace and inner connection. Recently, a listener of BBC, Hillaryshared how she feels connected to something greater when she prays, whether in nature or in moments of solitude. This quest to understand the impact of prayer on mental well-being has raised interesting scientific questions related to brain activity.
The relationship between prayer practice and brain activity has been studied by experts around the world. Andrea Newberga neuroscientist of Marcus Institute of Integrative Medicine we United States of Americahe has dedicated a considerable part of his career to understanding this phenomenon through MRI.
How does prayer affect the brain?
According to Newberg, the frontal lobe of the brain, responsible for our ability to concentrate and pay attention, is strongly activated at the beginning of prayer. However, during a deep prayersuch activity tends to decrease, manifesting a state of surrender and a decrease in conscious self-control, favoring an experience of transcendence.
A meditation and the awareness These are practices that, like prayer, promote similar effects on the brain. Tessa Wattexpert in these methods, suggests that both prayer and mindfulness can calm the parasympathetic nervous system, which controls our state of rest and digestion, contributing to mental health.
The role of emotions in the practice of prayer
Blake Victor Kent, sociologist and former pastor, studies how emotions influence the practice of prayer. According to him, people raised in environments with reliable caregivers tend to have a more secure relationship with faith. Conversely, those who grew up with less security may experience difficulties not only in personal relationships but also in spiritual connection.
Blake believes that prayer can become complicated for those who do not trust easily, making the experience of faith permeated with anxiety and uncertainty. However, he also emphasizes that psychotherapy can help to modify these emotional connections and improve the relationship with religious practice.
Creative and spiritual expressions
In addition to prayer, other forms of expression can be just as profound. Studies indicate that, for example, during musical improvisation, a brain phenomenon similar to that observed during prayer occurs. This suggests that creativity can be as spiritual a practice as prayer, even for people without a specific religious life.
Understanding the dynamics between the brain and practices such as prayer and meditation shows how complex we are and how our spiritual experiences are influenced by multiple aspects of our lives. Hillary, through her testimony, emphasizes that the feeling of connection can be achieved in different ways. This could be possible by talking to Godmeditating or even singing in a choir.
Therefore, whether through faith, meditation or art, people continue to seek ways to understand and connect with themselves and the world around them, promoting not only a spiritual journey, but also a path to greater stable mental health and rewarding.
*text by Tomaz Belluomini
Source: Terra
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