Andrew Newberg: Is The Human Brain Hardwired for God? | Big Think
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The question as to whether or not we are hardwired for religion and spirituality is an important one, says pioneering neuroscientist Andrew Newberg. “When we look at how the brain works, we see it’s able to very easily engage in religious and spiritual practices, ideas and experiences.”
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Dr. Andrew Newberg :
Dr. Andrew Newberg is the director of research at the Jefferson Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine and a physician at Jefferson University Hospital. He is board certified in internal medicine and nuclear medicine. Andrew has been asking questions about reality, truth, and God since he was very young, and he has long been fascinated by the human mind and its complex workings. While a medical student, he met Dr. Eugene d’Aquili, who was studying religious experiences. Combining their interests with Andrew’s background in neuroscience and brain imaging, they were able to break new theoretical and empirical ground on the relationship between the brain and religion.
Andrew’s research now largely focuses on how brain function is associated with various mental states—in particular, religious and mystical experiences. His research has included brain scans of people in prayer, meditation, rituals, and trance states, as well as surveys of people’s spiritual experiences and attitudes. He has also evaluated the relationship between religious or spiritual phenomena and health, and the effect of meditation on memory. He believes that it is important to keep science rigorous and religion religious. Andrew has also used neuroimaging research projects to study aging and dementia, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, depression, and other neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Dr. Newberg has published over 100 research articles, essays and book chapters, and is the co-author of the best selling books, Why God Won’t Go Away: Brain Science and the Biology of Belief (Ballantine, 2001) and How God Changes Your Brain: Breakthrough Findings from a Leading Neuroscientist (Ballantine, 2009). He has presented his research throughout the world in both scientific and public forums. He appeared on Nightline, 20/20, Good Morning America, ABC’s World News Tonight, National Public Radio, London Talk Radio and over fifteen nationally syndicated radio programs. His work has been featured in Time, Newsweek, the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and many other newspapers and magazines.
His newest work is How Enlightenment Changes Your Brain: The New Science of Transformation.
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TRANSCRIPT:
Andrew Newberg: The question as to whether or not we are hardwired for religion and spirituality, I think, is a very important one. When we look at how the brain works, it looks like the brain is able to very easily engage in religious and spiritual practices, ideas and experiences. All the brain scan studies that we’ve done show that there are multiple parts of the brain that seem to get involved. So it really does look like the brain is so easily capable of having these experiences. Now exactly how that ability got into the brain is, of course, a much more complex and both philosophical and scientific question. The scientists would say, well, maybe it was through millions of years of evolution, that because being religious or spiritual was an adaptive process it got incorporated into the biological mechanisms of the brain. And there are certainly a lot of reasons to support that.
And, of course, if you’re a religious individual it also makes sense that if there is a God up there and we’re down here that we would have a brain that’s capable of communicating to God, praying to God, doing the things that God needs us to do. Otherwise there would be this kind of fundamentally silly disconnect. We wouldn’t be able to have any kind of interaction with God. So it does look like the brain, no matter how it got there, does have this profound ability to engage in religious and spiritual experiences, and that’s part of why we’ve seen religion and spirituality be a part of human history since the very dawn of civilization.
One of the things that we find to be such an important element of many of the rituals and practices that people do as part of their religious traditions is the repetition of it. The more that you come back to a particular idea, the more you focus on it, the more you say a phrase or a prayer, those are the ideas and beliefs that become written into the neural connections of the brain.
Read the full transcript at https://bigthink.com/videos/is-the-human-brain-hardwired-for-god/
@ramonlarreal8870
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
Where can I watch this video in Spanish?
@Johnnycassshhhh
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
I see we have philosophers, mathemeticians, scientists, etc. but i wonder what kind of new thinkers will come about one day
@GabrielObrien-j6m
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
Belief in god is of the most powerful things iv ever experienced in my life I keep going in to bliss in evenings and crying and all respect to the brilliant people who study the brain 🧠 and thank u god.
@GabrielObrien-j6m
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
Flood yourself with god that how I do it and exact same way I did when it came to neuroscience was flood myself in books podcasts and documentarys and I absolutely love em both❤ just takes your breath away leaves u in awe and bliss when Understand it and u have them experiences love it love love it😊😊😊
@kristinak1972
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
Religious/spiritual practices and science can co-exist. I am personally excited about the day this becomes a fully acceptable mainstream concept. Science is already admitting our quantum entanglement with the ether. We are energetic "spiritual" beings dwelling in a flesh suit. The more we align with our high vibrational soul, the greater the capacity to interact with that field.
@Decor479
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
*The Illusion of Truth*
A fact stands alone, a flicker of light,
But it's only a point, not a path to what's right.
It glimmers and glows, then fades in the dark,
A single stroke, not the whole of the arc.
One fragment is shown, yet so much is concealed,
A tale half-told, where truths are repealed.
A pattern unwoven, a story untold,
Yet many believe in the part they behold.
For facts can mislead, when cut from their thread,
And truth, once distorted, is easily fed.
So seek the full picture, not just what’s seen,
For illusion arises where context has been.
In bits and in pieces, the truth may seem near,
But without the whole, the false will appear.
So dig for the depth, beyond the mere sight,
For facts on their own are not always right.
@Decor479
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
The Elements of Creation: A Synergy of Science and Scripture**
Throughout history, mankind has sought to understand the mysteries of life and creation. In modern times, science has revealed that life, in its most basic form, is built from a combination of key elements. These include Carbon (C), Oxygen (O), Hydrogen (H), and Nitrogen (N)—elements that make up the very fabric of all living organisms. However, when viewed through the lens of faith, particularly from the biblical perspective, a deeper connection emerges between these elements and the divine narrative of creation. This essay will explore the significance of these elements both scientifically and biblically, revealing a beautiful synergy between the natural and the spiritual.
*Carbon (C) – The Foundation of Life and the Creation of Man*
Carbon, with the atomic number 6, is the backbone of life. It is found in all organic compounds and is essential for the structure of cells, tissues, and organs. From a scientific perspective, carbon forms the foundation upon which all life is built, serving as the molecular "skeleton" that allows for the complexity of living organisms. This mirrors the biblical account of the creation of man.
In the book of Genesis, man was created on the **6th day**, a parallel to the atomic number of carbon. Genesis 2:7 states, "Then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature." Carbon, as the dust of the earth, represents the physical creation of man. Just as carbon is essential for life in the scientific world, it symbolically represents the formation of mankind in the biblical world. The number 6, representing man, also symbolizes the human connection to the earth and the physical world, highlighting humanity's role as stewards of creation.
*Oxygen (O) – The Breath of Life*
Oxygen is essential to the survival of almost all living organisms. It powers cellular respiration, providing the energy that sustains life. Without oxygen, life as we know it would cease to exist. Biblically, the breath of life given to Adam can be seen as a direct reference to oxygen. Genesis 2:7 reveals how God breathed life into Adam, making him a living being. In Hebrew, the word for spirit or breath is "ruach," which signifies both wind and life-giving breath.
Oxygen, then, becomes more than just a gas we inhale. It symbolizes the divine breath—the spirit that animates not only mankind but all of creation. The natural world depends on oxygen just as mankind depends on the Spirit of God. The air we breathe, which is rich with oxygen, becomes a constant reminder of the life given by God. Without oxygen, just as without the Spirit, life would be devoid of energy and purpose.
*Hydrogen (H) – The Source of Light*
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe and plays a key role in energy production, particularly in the stars. Through nuclear fusion, hydrogen atoms combine to form helium, releasing immense amounts of energy in the form of light. The stars, fueled by hydrogen, illuminate the cosmos, giving light to the earth and guiding our understanding of the universe.
In the Bible, Jesus is referred to as the **light of the world**. In John 8:12, Jesus says, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life." Just as hydrogen is the fuel for the stars, Jesus is the spiritual fuel that brings light to humanity. The stars, created by God on the **fourth day**, serve as a physical manifestation of divine light. This parallels the spiritual light that Jesus brings into the world. As hydrogen powers the stars, so too does Jesus empower and guide humanity, lighting the path toward truth and salvation.
*Nitrogen (N) – The Building Blocks of Life*
Nitrogen, though less recognized than carbon or oxygen, is a vital component of life. It forms the building blocks of amino acids, proteins, and DNA—the very essence of biological function. Nitrogen is essential for the growth and repair of living tissues, making it fundamental to the development and sustenance of life.
Biblically, nitrogen can be seen as symbolic of the **building blocks of mankind**. Just as nitrogen is essential for life to grow and thrive, the word of God serves as the spiritual foundation upon which we build our lives. In Matthew 7:24-25, Jesus speaks of building on a solid foundation: "Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock." Nitrogen, as a building block, mirrors this spiritual truth, reminding us that just as life requires nitrogen to flourish, our spiritual lives require the word of God as a foundation.
*The Synergy of Science and Scripture*
When viewed together, carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen represent more than just the elements of life—they embody the divine act of creation. Science explains how these elements interact to form the molecules and structures that sustain life, but faith provides a deeper understanding of their significance.
Carbon, the foundation of all life, reflects the creation of man on the sixth day. Oxygen, essential to respiration, symbolizes the breath of life given by God. Hydrogen, which fuels the stars, serves as a metaphor for the light of the world—Jesus Christ. Nitrogen, forming the building blocks of proteins and DNA, mirrors the spiritual growth and development that comes from following God's word.
Together, these elements create a powerful narrative that bridges the gap between science and faith. In the same way that God formed man from the dust of the earth, He also formed the laws of nature that govern the universe. The synergy between the natural and the spiritual reveals a profound truth: all creation, from the smallest atom to the vastness of the cosmos, reflects the glory of the Creator.
*Conclusion*
In examining the elements of life—carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen—through both scientific and biblical lenses, we discover a harmonious relationship between the two. Science provides us with the tools to understand the physical processes of life, while faith illuminates the spiritual significance of those processes. The elements that form the foundation of life also point us toward deeper truths about our purpose, our creation, and our relationship with God. In the end, both science and scripture tell the same story: life is a miraculous gift, intricately designed and sustained by the Creator of all things.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
@Decor479
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
The universe moves in one and zero,
Truth and falsehood, clear as the glow.
But mankind twisted light to blind,
Spreading new knowledge to confound the mind.
They called it science, born of facts,
Yet who forged the path these minds retract?
They deny God, yet mock with His tools,
Lurking in grace, but making fools.
Bound to the world in logic's snare,
Empty hands grasping for false flair.
The light they claimed, now turns to night,
Inverted truth steals their sight.
But through Christ, the true light shines,
Redeeming hearts, breaking binds.
From empty hands, He brings the seed,
To sow in grace, fulfilling need.
A garden grows where lies once stood,
A harvest rich in all that's good.
No more deception, no more fight—
Only Jesus, full of grace and light.
@Decor479
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
*Step 1: Breaking Down the Equation*
– *E* represents **Energy**.
– *M* represents **Mass**.
– *C* represents the *Speed of Light* (with ( c^2 ) being the speed squared).
In Hebrew, letters have numerical values, allowing us to map "EMC" phonetically to Hebrew letters:
– *E* is represented by *Aleph (א)* = 1.
– *M* is represented by *Mem (מ)* = 40.
– *C* is represented by *Kaf (כ)* = 20.
Thus, *EMC* gives us a total value of **1 + 40 + 20 = 61**.
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### *Step 2: The Gematria Meaning of 61*
In Hebrew gematria, the value *61* corresponds to the word *Ani (אני)**, meaning **"I" or "me."* This word signifies the self, identity, and consciousness.
– **Interpretation**: Einstein’s equation, when expressed in gematria, points toward the self—the individual's identity as a conscious being. The exploration of energy and mass is, in a deeper sense, an exploration of the self's role in the universe.
—
### *Step 3: Understanding ( C^2 )*
The speed of light squared (( c^2 )) is central to Einstein’s equation. In Hebrew gematria, ( C ) is represented by *Kaf (כ)* = 20. Squaring this value gives us ( 20^2 = 400 ), which corresponds to the letter **Tav (ת)**.
– *Tav* is the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet and symbolizes **completion, truth, and the end of a cycle**.
—
### *Step 4: The Total Value of ( E = mc^2 )*
When we add the gematria values of each part:
– ( E = Aleph (א) = 1 )
– ( M = Mem (מ) = 40 )
– ( C^2 = Tav (ת) = 400 )
The total gematria value is:
– ( 1 + 40 + 400 = 441 ).
#### *441 in Hebrew Gematria*
The number *441* corresponds to the word *Emet (אמת)**, which means **"truth."*
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### *Conclusion: Truth in Science and Spirit*
Through this gematria analysis, we find that Einstein's equation ( E = mc^2 ), symbolically, leads to **truth**. Just as Einstein's equation revealed a fundamental scientific truth about the relationship between energy and mass, the gematria reveals a mystical truth about the universe and our role within it.
– **Scientific Truth**: ( E = mc^2 ) shows us the interchangeable nature of energy and mass, forming the basis of modern physics.
– **Spiritual Truth**: In gematria, the equation points to **Emet (truth)**, suggesting that the universe is governed by deeper principles of unity and reality that transcend both science and mysticism.
This synthesis encourages us to see the pursuit of truth as both a scientific and spiritual journey, linking energy and mass to the very essence of our being, as represented by *Ani (I)* and **Emet (truth)**.
—
@marksusskind1260
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
We don't have much control outside our bodies, so focus on the inside, improve our reactions. We could do this alone, in small groups, or in larger groups. It may even work better as groups so we could exchange feedback.
@mokuho
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
How many minutes we must meditate daily?😢
@mystery-earth-garden
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
Great stuff.
I think Nirvana and Enlightenment experiences are an immune response, possibly some sort of biochemical cascade involving the endocrine, nervous and immune systems, in response to psychological or physical crisis.
My organic chemistry lecturer at university did research into the tears of joy and sadness and their effect on the immune system.
@shaikhashaikha3457
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
That's why we go to Hill if we don't believe in God, we are wired to do so! So we don't have any excuse if we don't. If we deny the signs and the signals our brain is receiving from God to guide us to His existence then we are rejecting it out of arrogant not uncertainty. In Islam this is mentioned 1445 years ago in Quran, God spot is called Fetra
@Jordansklar0698
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
God gave all humans the ability to connect with Him and Jesus Christ
@jeus4102
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
The problem is we cannot make idea as long it doesn't exist in the beginning. Because the force in star wars is just riff of magical levitation and force field. So religion exist because there is something real exist to identify. We can't identity and think about something doesn't exist but can imagine it the way we understand it. That is why we got differ in idea like religion we didn't meet the real one. But we heard the idea that they exist.
@amongussus4
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
Brain is hardwired for spirituality and practices which leads to the idea of a god
@sarahamaral2931
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
What does a breathing meditation have to do with the brain being hardwired for God? Honesty, science is so void of the mystical.
@gooddeeds9928
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
Muslim scientists will explain it for you everything he’s saying in a language that will make you aware of your existence.
@gusmore26
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
"I once took a radio apart and discovered that there are no 'talk show hosts', their 'guests', nor 'callers-in', it's just that the radio is hardwired to make it seem as if they exist." – Gus More
@csx3180
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
This is why I do muslim prayer as a non Muslim and it helps..I'm a convinced non-religious person BTW, but not against the idea of A god
@Mushtaq-j3f
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
worked out for me instantly!
@ioambara1348
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
🙏🙏🙏
@francescos7361
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
Francisco Varela l autopoiesi.
@douggolden255
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
I think it's more likely that we're hardwired to find explanations for things we don't understand. The easier the explanation, the more palatable it is to a wider range of people. True understanding of what is happening, in a scientific sense, is more like studying. And who wants to do that? Or has the time?
If the simplest explanation is constantly reinforced within a community, god becomes their "science."
@adamwallace8082
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
religion is a conscious person's cure for anxiety
@pbtube58
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
Newberg makes a mistake of jumping immediately to the question “Are we hardwired for God?” The real question is “Are we hardwired, due to non-religious needs, for certain abilities, which then make us prone to believing in God?”
@larryparis925
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
Of course the human brain isn't hardwired for "god." In many cultures, prior to being dominated by certain expansionist empires, people didn't have "a god". They had multiple gods, spirits, and ghosts. To use the singular god, and with a capital "G", shows a lack of knowledge and interest in the findings of archaeology and ethnography. People living in societies now dominated by monotheistic beliefs need to stop assuming all humans through prehistory and history think they way they do when it comes to religion and superstition. Now, notice when the speaker, Andrew Newberg, starts out, he doesn't use the word the inappropriate word "God", he uses the terms "religion and spirituality". Unfortunately, Newberg then reverts to the Western ethnocentric concept of "God" when discussing religion, and the title of the video, and the written description below it, also assumes the Western "God" concept applies to everybody. Wrong. And Newberg makes a huge mistake when he states (1:20) religion and spirituality have been important "since the very dawn of civilization". The importance of religion and spiritual beliefs (and without "a god") long predate civilization – religion and spirituality exist and have existed in societies without civilizations, in the forms of bands, tribes, and chiefdoms. Another problem with this presentation is the undemonstrated assumption that EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE, at ALL TIMES has had a god belief, or has had beliefs in the supernatural. That is clearly not the case. As such, the hardwiring hypothesis needs more work in order to account for those who do not believe in supernatural beings, miracles, or forces.
@bonnyhutchins8963
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
The more you study the Bible is how you become better at meditation it's not something that you have to practice you have to practice reading the Bible not all these religious books that copy cats are making billions of dirty money from…🌞
@stephenlawrence4821
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
I'd say no since God is a fairly new invention. People used to believe in Gods not God. Greek Gods, Egyptian Gods, Roman Gods and so on and so on.
@georgegrubbs2966
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
Andrew is using the common tags put on certain inner mental perceptions, that is, religious or spiritual experiences. I understand why this particular brain activity was so labelled; it was because the experiences were so extraordinary and different from common thought and imagination. Current neuroscience research has uncovered that there isn't anything magical or supernatural about these subjective experiences. They have even found that stimulation in certain brain areas can produce similar experiences. This whole area of false belief follows the historical trend of humans ascribing unusual personal experiences and also fearful natural phenomena to God or gods. Science over time reveals the natural truth.
@DhulqarTen
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
It's called Fitra. Look it up.
@ingenuity168
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
The brain is hardwired for fear. Fear is the foundation for God.
@enzou1978
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God "PSALM 14:1"
@patmoran5339
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
More like "hard-wired" to make stuff up. We are born to explain. and then other people throw a bunch of pessimism like religions at us and tell us we need to believe it.
@cogentnetguide2370
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
bs
@fyd1872
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
Bro when you see a asteriod impacting earth you know somthing is about to happen
@juanherrera7808
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
Andrew b newberg is a genius i first heard about him in the film What the bleep do we know he was so eye opening in that film about quantum physics. He is truly a believer. I thank god that i was able to listen and learn from this amazing man he is a genius… Thank GOD….!
@Misskittycat8
April 1, 2026 at 5:15 am
He’s the funvax guy
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