The spiritual sense, prayer and traditional American Indian healing
James D. Adams, Cecilia García
TANG [HUMANITAS MEDICINE] February 29, 2012 DOI: 10.5667/tang.2011.0012 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA spiritual sense may exist in the human brain, and demonstrating it depends on measuring the behavioral effects of spiritual experiences, which can be induced by prayer, specific chemicals, and other stimuli that interact with pyramidal neurons of layer 5 in the cerebral cortex. The hypothesis examined is that these pyramidal neurons are the seat of the spiritual sense. Healers use this sense to comfort and heal patients, especially through prayer. Many doctors do not encourage prayer and could learn from healers to use the spiritual sense. Patients should be educated to use prayer for comfort needed for healing.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | prayer specific chemicals other stimuli |
| Keywords | Prayer Psychology of self Psychotherapist Social psychology Aesthetics |
| Citations | 4 |
| Key finding | Pyramidal neurons of layer 5 in the cerebral cortex are hypothesized to be the seat of the spiritual sense. |
Abstract
A spiritual sense may be present in the human brain. Demonstration of the spiritual sense depends on measuring the behavioral effects of spiritual experiences. These experiences can be induced by prayer, specific chemicals and other stimuli that are known to interact with pyramidal neurons of layer 5 in the cerebral cortex. This work examines the hypothesis that pyramidal neurons are the seat of the spiritual sense. Healers use the spiritual sense to comfort and heal their patients, especially with prayer. Many doctors do not encourage prayer and could learn from healers to use the spiritual sense. Patients should be educated to use prayer in order to get the comfort they need for healing.