Reply To: Is belief toxic for your brain?

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RE: Please cite the studies. They may show that ritualistic habits like repetitive prayers or mantras have a calming effect on the brain. I accept that mediation certainly does and is probably more effective than prayer.

 

I will gladly site the studies here this evening but just a quick aside: Prayer and meditation have the same effect on the brain. It’s all about raising brain chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, etc…. People who are mentally ill all have a varying amount of difference as to which chemicals are lacking or out of whack. There is no “one size fits all” approach. Many times medication is needed, but prayer, or meditation can go a LONG way at least in the moment….. meditation and prayer do essentially the same thing. Something about quieting the mind, redirecting thoughts, and consciously CHOOSING to begin looking outward towards serving others rather than staying “stuck” wallowing onwards towards our own selfishness – that is something ALL mentally ill people can benefit from.