What chemicals, etc are released in our brains during religious activities?

[Daniel Marsh]

What chemicals, etc are released in our brains during religious activities?

This would include, silent worship, speaking in tongues, slain in spirit, and anything one can think of. Does anyone know of any studies? I read other studies that I can not find online related to hugs and holding hands that a chemical is released --- something like oxi??????

 

[rockytopva]

If E = mc2 then we can divide and conclude that...

Mass (m) = Energy (E/c2)

And there are three varieties...

Natural E/c2 - All mass is basically cooled plasma
Mental E/c2 - Mentally, A mathematical formula, but this has chemical and spiritual properties as well.
Spiritual E/c2 - E (motivation, warmth, love) / c2 (faith, hope, charity, joy)

Is virtue knowledge? Can it be taught? Is virtue mass? Can it be bought? Plato's Meno is a dialogue in which Socrates and Meno discuss human virtue: whether or not it can be taught, whether it is shared by all human beings, and whether it is one quality or many. After discussion with Anytus, Socrates and Meno return to the subject of whether Virtue can be taught. "To sum up our enquiry," Socrates concludes, "the result seems to be that virtue is neither natural nor acquired, but an instinct given by God to the virtuous."

Meno's theme is also being dealt in the dialogue of Protagoras, where, Plato finally puts Socrates to conclude with the opposite conclusion 'That virtue can be taught.' It is important to conclude that virtue is in different departments than knowledge. One may have an understanding as vast as the great outdoors... And not a thing in the heart!

Along with Socrates I must say that virtue is neither natural nor acquired, but an instinct given by God to the virtuous. In regarding the worship service I do not believe the reactions are chemical, but as we praise and worship God the Holy Spirit comes and enlightens our way with his spiritual energy and light.

 

[archer75]

Oxytocin?

I think your question is rather broad as it stands. You might narrow it down some to get clearer responses or at least know better what you're looking for.

 

[Winken]

What chemicals, etc are released in our brains during religious activities?

This would include, silent worship, speaking in tongues, slain in spirit, and anything one can think of. Does anyone know of any studies? I read other studies that I can not find online related to hugs and holding hands that a chemical is released --- something like oxi??????

Serotonin. However, do not confuse the ministry of the Holy Spirit with an uptake in Serotonin.

 

[Paul of Eugene OR]

What chemicals, etc are released in our brains during religious activities?

This would include, silent worship, speaking in tongues, slain in spirit, and anything one can think of. Does anyone know of any studies? I read other studies that I can not find online related to hugs and holding hands that a chemical is released --- something like oxi??????

It may be that there are such chemicals. But beware of false reductionism. Religious activity would not be MERELY chemical reactions. Saying so would be like claiming the beauty of a picture of your beloved is accounted for by the pigments of the ink cartridges in your inkjet printer that made the picture.

 

[Papias]

serotonin has already been mentioned. In addition to that, here are some brain activity studies that show what regions are involved (not what chemicals are involved).

Is the brain hardwired for religion?

 

[Biblicist]

As much as the question certainly has some merit, we should remember that any emotion, be it one of happiness, joy or elation along with disappointment, sadness or depression, that these things will always produce various forms of chemical movement within our bodies as this is the way that we are made. So when a person feels the presence of the Holy Spirit either within them as they worship the Father during times of personal prayer and worship or where this joy and or presence is felt within a corporate worship session, then we would have to expect some type or types of chemicals to be at work in our bodies.

 

[Daniel Marsh]

Oxytocin?

I think your question is rather broad as it stands. You might narrow it down some to get clearer responses or at least know better what you're looking for.

Oxytocin released hugs - Norton Safe Search

That is the one given off from hugging. Maybe, we should start a give your neighbor a hug campaign to promote peace over war.

 

[Daniel Marsh]

Serotonin. However, do not confuse the ministry of the Holy Spirit with an uptake in Serotonin.

Hacking Into Your Happy Chemicals: Dopamine, Serotonin, Endorphins and Oxytocin | The Huffington Post