This is an old article I wrote while taking Biology of Women last semester. As I finish up my Capstone class, I am reviewing some of the old stuff I have written that I think is interesting or thought provoking. Enjoy.
Growing scientific evidence suggests faith may bring us health. Humans pray – for peace or they meditate for calm, but what most people pray for is health: themselves or others. Dr. Gail Ironson, professor of psychiatry and psychology at the University of Miami says, “Spirituality predicts for better disease control.”
Skeptics however, like Professor Richard Slone and author of Blind Faith says, “Science doesn’t deal in supernatural explanations. Religion and science address different concerns.” He goes on to say that attempting to find a link between the prayer and healing is a “fool’s errand” because, “It is impossible to know how much prayer is received and since you don’t know that, you can’t determine dose.”
That’s true – somewhat. “A large body of science shows a positive impact of religion on health” says Dr. Andrew Newburg, professor of radiology, psychology and religious studies at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Newburg is author of 4 books and has spent considerable time looking at how our spiritual data works in the brain; by scanning brains in different meditative/prayer states. According to Newburg, “When people engage in prayer, it’s the frontal lobes that take the lead because they govern focus and concentration. During very deep prayer however, the parietal lobe powers down, which is what allows us to experience a sense of having loosed our earthy moorings.” The parietal lobe is on the top of the head and acts as the brains “spiritual center.” It is responsible for processing sensory input. Interestingly, prayer and meditation over a long period of time can actually change the brain permanently; by showing an increased thickness in their frontal lobes, which when working well help boost memory.
Other ways faith and health overlap include fasting, aspects of which can be found in all major religions and when done properly can lead to a state of clarity or even euphoria. Because the brain requires mass quantities of energy to work properly, it requires calories to maintain homeostasis. When you take away food, the liver produces glucose throughout the body, but makes sure the brain gets the biggest doses. However, because the liver’s reserves only last about 24 hours, cells begin to break down fats and proteins, which changes the composition of the blood. Dr. Catherine Gordon, endocrinologist at Children’s Hospital in Boston says, “There are very real changes that occur in the body very rapidly that might explain the clarity during fasting. The brain is in a different state even during a short-term fast. Biologically, that’s not good, but the light-headed sense of peace, albeit brief, that comes with it reinforces the fast and rewards you for engaging in it all the same.”
Prayer, on the other hand, is the one element of religious devotion that is consistent across all levels of faith. There is a belief that prayer can cure ailments and disease, and although some studies show that “patients who were prayed for fared better than those who were not,” in scientific studies the placebo effect needs to be considered. According to the article, “when you’re setting up your study, it matters a great deal whether subjects know they’re being prayed for.” The best way to test whether belief in God or a Higher Power an effective predictor of health is to study the health of people who regularly go to church. Some results point to longer life-spans and better overall health, however, other factors need to be considered. According to Ted Kaptchuk, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, “Religious belief is not just a mind question but involves the commitment of one’s body as well. The sensory organs, tastes, smells, sounds, music and architecture of religious buildings are involved.” In addition to the sensory input received while in church, there is also a sense of community and social support, as well as philanthropy and increased gratitude among parishioners, which could also be considered predictors of health.
In terms of the medical community there is a growing trend, supported by scientists and theologians, to offer whole body care, which includes prayer or conversations about belief. Psychologist Jean Kristeller, of Indiana State University, developed a five-to-seven minute conversation for doctors to engage their patients to talk about religion or belief. According to the article, there seems to be some correlation between “patient-centered conversations and reduced depression, increased quality of life, and a greater sense that their doctors cared about them.” In fact, many hospitals now have chaplains on site to visit patients who are recovering from illness or who are coping with end-of-life decisions. Even patients who say they are not particularly religious can benefit.
Clearly people are not going to stop visiting the doctor when they are sick, or start eating all the junk food they can because “prayer” will save them, but when faced with illness or disease, they do put their faith not only in medicine, but in belief as well.
The Article:
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1879016,00.html
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