//www.koonmotors.com/news/mind_brain/spirituality/ A scientific look at the nature of spirituality, including meditation, near death experiences, religion and altered states of consciousness. en-us Sat, 09 Sep 2023 10:20:15 EDT Sat, 09 Sep 2023 10:20:15 EDT 60 //www.koonmotors.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png//www.koonmotors.com/news/mind_brain/spirituality/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230831121717.htm A recent study of 425 Quebecers between the ages of 18 and 25 has found that young adults who have more frequent psychotic experiences also tend to spend more time using digital media. Interestingly, the study, which surveyed the participants over a period of six months, also found that spending more time on digital media did not seem to cause any change in the frequency of psychotic experiences over time. Thu, 31 Aug 2023 12:17:17 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230831121717.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230828162332.htm Studies show that on any given morning, about 40 percent of the working population recalls its dreams. New research shows that when dreams are first recalled, people often draw connections between their dreams and waking lives, and the connections they draw alter how they think, feel and act at work. Mon, 28 Aug 2023 16:23:32 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230828162332.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230809130726.htm Researchers have developed a technique for simultaneously measuring electrical signals from 128 areas of the brain in awake rats. They have then used the information to measure what happens to the neurons when the rats are given psychedelic drugs. The results show an unexpected and simultaneous synchronization among neurons in several regions of the brain. Wed, 09 Aug 2023 13:07:26 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230809130726.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230724122654.htm As artificial intelligence expands across more professions, robot preachers and AI programs offer new means of sharing religious beliefs, but they may undermine credibility and reduce donations for religious groups that rely on them. Mon, 24 Jul 2023 12:26:54 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230724122654.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230710113911.htm In-person mindfulness courses help improve mental health for at least six months, study shows. Adults who voluntarily take part in mindfulness courses are less likely to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression for at least six months after completing the programs, compared to adults who do not take part, a new analysis pooling data from 13 studies has confirmed. Mon, 10 Jul 2023 11:39:11 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230710113911.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230501163628.htm A new study provides early evidence of a surge of activity correlated with consciousness in the dying brain. Mon, 01 May 2023 16:36:28 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230501163628.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/04/230425111218.htm A study takes a closer look at the neurobiology of psychedelic experiences caused by nitrous oxide, ketamine and LSD. Tue, 25 Apr 2023 11:12:18 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/04/230425111218.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230327114815.htm Social relationships influence physical health, but questions remain about the nature of this connection. New research suggests that the way you feel about your close relationships may be affecting the way your body functions. Mon, 27 Mar 2023 11:48:15 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230327114815.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230313215023.htm Great apes deliberately spin themselves in order make themselves dizzy -- findings which could provide clues about the role of altered mental states for origins of the human mind. Mon, 13 Mar 2023 21:50:23 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230313215023.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/11/221130151514.htm A new study suggests that people with high levels of neuroticism and stress may be at greater risk for depressive symptoms, but those links could be buffered for people who observe the five precepts of Buddhism -- a fundamental system of ethics for the religion's followers. Wed, 30 Nov 2022 15:15:14 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/11/221130151514.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/11/221116150640.htm There is a high rate of adverse physical effects and challenging psychological effects from using the plant-based psychoactive ayahuasca, though they are generally not severe, according to a new study. Wed, 16 Nov 2022 15:06:40 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/11/221116150640.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/11/221114095344.htm It doesn't take long for gaps to appear between children who participate in extracurricular activities and kids who don't, a new study found. Mon, 14 Nov 2022 09:53:44 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/11/221114095344.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/11/221109124354.htm A guided mindfulness-based stress reduction program was as effective as use of the gold-standard drug -- the common antidepressant drug escitalopram -- for patients with anxiety disorders, new research finds. Wed, 09 Nov 2022 12:43:54 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/11/221109124354.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/11/221107083318.htm One in five people who survive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) after cardiac arrest may describe lucid experiences of death that occurred while they were seemingly unconscious and on the brink of death, a new study shows. Mon, 07 Nov 2022 08:33:18 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/11/221107083318.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/11/221101195625.htm A new study has revealed men and women experience change while travelling in similar ways. Consumers are increasingly seeking activities that help them achieve new levels of enrichment and since the lift of COVID-19 travel restrictions, they are more conscious of the value they want to gain from their holidays. Tue, 01 Nov 2022 19:56:25 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/11/221101195625.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/10/221026193523.htm New research has shown that people who experience bullying in the workplace are more likely to engage in conspiracy theorizing. Wed, 26 Oct 2022 19:35:23 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/10/221026193523.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/10/221026134950.htm Previous research has shown that people with conservative religious beliefs are more likely to lack confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine, but most studies have observed only mainstream or institutionalized religious forms. Researchers were curious whether paranormal beliefs -- beliefs in astrology and spirits, for instance -- would be associated with a similar lack of confidence. Wed, 26 Oct 2022 13:49:50 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/10/221026134950.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/10/221025090456.htm Alzheimer's disease is associated with a reduction of insulin receptors in brain microvessels, which may contribute to brain insulin resistance and the formation of amyloid plaques, one of the disease's hallmarks. The findings could affect the search for new Alzheimer's drugs. Tue, 25 Oct 2022 09:04:56 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/10/221025090456.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/09/220929204024.htm Can regularly attending religious services actually extend your life? A new study suggests that men of color are discovering life affirming -- and life extending -- rewards of belonging to a community of worship. Thu, 29 Sep 2022 20:40:24 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/09/220929204024.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/09/220928094831.htm The risk of burnout and poor experienced teacher-working environment fit is increased among teachers with persistent turnover intentions. However, positive experiences in the workplace seem to protect against cynicism and exhaustion, according to a new study. Wed, 28 Sep 2022 09:48:31 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/09/220928094831.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/08/220824152209.htm In a survey study of more than 3,000 adults, researchers compared psychedelic experiences with near-death experiences that were not drug related and found notable similarities in people's attitudes toward death. Wed, 24 Aug 2022 15:22:09 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/08/220824152209.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/08/220824102911.htm In a study of nearly 3,000 African American adults, those who reported more frequent church attendance, private prayer and 'feeling God's presence' were more likely to meet the American Heart Association's key metrics for optimal cardiovascular health, compared to others reporting less frequent religious participation or no such beliefs. Researchers note this is the first evidence that strong religious beliefs and spirituality may have beneficial effects on the heart health of African American men and women. Wed, 24 Aug 2022 10:29:11 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/08/220824102911.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/08/220823095447.htm Poverty, combined with other types of adversity in early childhood, is associated with greater chances of premature death in adulthood, compared to other adverse childhood experiences, according to a study of more than 46,000 people. Tue, 23 Aug 2022 09:54:47 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/08/220823095447.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/08/220823095440.htm New study suggests that a 'blended' eight-week mindfulness program that adds Team Mindfulness Training (TMT) to a shortened version of the mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) course for individual mindfulness is just as effective as the standard MBSR course alone. It may even offer further benefit by increasing collective stress management skills. Tue, 23 Aug 2022 09:54:40 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/08/220823095440.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/08/220803093937.htm 研究人员提出客观标准来检查subjective experiences and reveal their neuronal basis. Wed, 03 Aug 2022 09:39:37 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/08/220803093937.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/07/220729173157.htm Science may be one step closer to understanding where consciousness resides in the brain. A new study shows the importance of certain types of neural connections in identifying consciousness. Fri, 29 Jul 2022 17:31:57 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/07/220729173157.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/07/220728134104.htm Research has isolated the changes in pain-related brain activity that follow mindfulness training -- pointing a way toward more targeted and precise pain treatment. Thu, 28 Jul 2022 13:41:04 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/07/220728134104.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/07/220712141303.htm The study is the most rigorous and comprehensive analysis to date of scientific literature on health and spirituality. Overlooking spirituality in health care leaves patients feeling disconnected from the health care system and from the clinicians caring for them. Asking about a patient's spirituality should be part of patient-centered, value-sensitive care, new research suggests. Tue, 12 Jul 2022 14:13:03 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/07/220712141303.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/07/220708162754.htm Mindfulness meditation is effective in reducing pain relief; a new study reveals the underlying neural circuitry. Fri, 08 Jul 2022 16:27:54 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/07/220708162754.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/07/220705090707.htm Being able to recognize our own voice is a critical factor for our sense of control over our speech, according to a new study. If people think they hear someone else's voice when they speak, they do not strongly feel that they caused the sound. This could be a clue to understanding the experience of people who live with auditory hallucinations and could help to improve online communication and virtual reality experiences. Tue, 05 Jul 2022 09:07:07 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/07/220705090707.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/06/220629121145.htm Although mindfulness originates within an individual, a new study has found the benefits do not end with this person. The real payoffs emerge when an individual's mindfulness is translated into mindful interactions and relationships. Such interactions -- infused with intentionality, compassion and presence -- can bring about more harmonious and healthy organizations. Wed, 29 Jun 2022 12:11:45 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/06/220629121145.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/05/220520144651.htm A team found flaws in previous research that purported to show meditation could alter the brain's structure. Fri, 20 May 2022 14:46:51 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/05/220520144651.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/05/220519115351.htm Researchers have identified five types of daily workplace experiences that influence employees' creative performance. Thu, 19 May 2022 11:53:51 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/05/220519115351.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/05/220517112236.htm People who practice intensive meditation report memories of states in which their sense of self dissolves. Is this at all possible? Tue, 17 May 2022 11:22:36 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/05/220517112236.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/05/220504144537.htm In a review of 71 studies that explored links between belief in paranormal phenomena and cognitive function, most of the findings align with the hypothesis that such beliefs are associated with cognitive differences or deficits. Wed, 04 May 2022 14:45:37 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/05/220504144537.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/04/220412095354.htm Authors lay out an ethical framework that assumes brain organoids already have consciousness. The paper argues that this framework is not exclusive to brain organoids and can be applied to anything that is perceived to hold consciousness. Tue, 12 Apr 2022 09:53:54 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/04/220412095354.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/04/220407100956.htm Scientific advances in the 20th and 21st centuries have led to a major evolution in the understanding of death. At the same time, for decades, people who have survived an encounter with death have recalled unexplained lucid episodes involving heightened consciousness and awareness. These have been reported using the popular -- yet scientifically ill-defined -- term 'near-death experiences'. Thu, 07 Apr 2022 10:09:56 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/04/220407100956.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/03/220331134240.htm A new study addresses the question of whether psychedelics might change the attribution of consciousness to a range of living and nonliving things. Thu, 31 Mar 2022 13:42:40 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/03/220331134240.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/03/220330130520.htm A new study sheds light on the little-known phenomenon of binaural beats, where sounds purportedly evoke psychoactive effects. Wed, 30 Mar 2022 13:05:20 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/03/220330130520.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/03/220328141002.htm Numerous studies have shown that spirituality can help improve quality of life for people with chronic diseases like cancer. According to a literature review, spirituality can also have a positive impact on quality of life for heart failure patients. Mon, 28 Mar 2022 14:10:02 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/03/220328141002.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/03/220316145736.htm In the world's largest study on psychedelics and the brain, a team of researchers have shown how drug-induced changes in subjective awareness are anatomically rooted in specific neurotransmitter receptor systems. Wed, 16 Mar 2022 14:57:36 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/03/220316145736.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/03/220309104429.htm New research shows that Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) can help promote self-kindness in people with a history of depression, thereby putting their bodies in a state of safety and relaxation. Wed, 09 Mar 2022 10:44:29 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/03/220309104429.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/03/220304101008.htm Mindfulness meditation is a stress-management practice with ancient lineage that cultivates nonjudgmental awareness of the present moment, often by directing attention to the physical sensations of breathing. But there may be an unanticipated downside to secular mindfulness meditation practices, according to new research. Fri, 04 Mar 2022 10:10:08 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/03/220304101008.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/03/220301192410.htm Results from a new clinical trial demonstrate that an eight-week mindfulness-based therapy decreased opioid use and misuse while reducing chronic pain symptoms, with effects lasting as long as nine months. Tue, 01 Mar 2022 19:24:10 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/03/220301192410.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/12/211220083106.htm Several new studies among Syrian refugee families in Turkey and families with infants in Sweden and Bhutan show that children of mothers in poor mental health risk falling behind in their cognitive development. However, very small changes can suffice to break this correlation and enable the children to return to their normal developmental level. Having plenty of people around them and an available community are two of the most important factors for helping children, in all three countries. Mon, 20 Dec 2021 08:31:06 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/12/211220083106.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/12/211215204057.htm Mindfulness -- the ability to intentionally focus attention on the present moment -- can be effective for reducing mind wandering, though results do differ depending on the research methodology. Wed, 15 Dec 2021 20:40:57 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/12/211215204057.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/11/211108081645.htm Mindful awareness is about both accepting and engaging with life's challenges, and that's what popularized concepts of mindfulness tend to miss, new research has found. Mon, 08 Nov 2021 08:16:45 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/11/211108081645.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/10/211026124258.htm Psychologists have created body-maps of the sensations which arise during hallucinations in people experiencing psychosis. Tue, 26 Oct 2021 12:42:58 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/10/211026124258.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/09/210921172711.htm 我们的主观经验似乎我们在孔蒂nuous stream of integrated information, and researchers now explore the question: Which characteristics should brain activity have to support this type of conscious experiences? The group searched for integrated structures that encompass most of the brain but change configuration from time to time. Their hypothesis was these structures should vanish during states of deep unconsciousness, such as deep sleep or while under general anesthetics. Tue, 21 Sep 2021 17:27:11 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/09/210921172711.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/07/210705113923.htm In a new study, researchers show that a single dose of psilocybin given to mice prompted an immediate and long-lasting increase in connections between neurons. The findings are published July 5 in the journal Neuron. Mon, 05 Jul 2021 11:39:23 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/07/210705113923.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/07/210701195245.htm Using datasets from neurosurgical patients and those with brain lesions, researchers mapped lesion locations associated with spiritual and religious belief to a specific human brain circuit. Thu, 01 Jul 2021 19:52:45 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/07/210701195245.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/06/210608203711.htm Dreams result from a process that often combines fragments of multiple life experiences and anticipates future events, according to novel evidence from a new study. Tue, 08 Jun 2021 20:37:11 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/06/210608203711.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/05/210524092016.htm Feeling anxious can direct our attention and memory toward supernatural beings such as gods, a new study has found. Mon, 24 May 2021 09:20:16 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/05/210524092016.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/05/210514134208.htm Why we dream is a divisive topic within the scientific community, and the neuroscience field is saturated with hypotheses. Inspired by techniques used to train deep neural networks, a neuroscience researcher argues for a new theory of dreams: the overfitted brain hypothesis. The hypothesis suggests that the strangeness of our dreams serves to help our brains better generalize our day-to-day experiences. Fri, 14 May 2021 13:42:08 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/05/210514134208.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/05/210511123727.htm It is projected that up to 152 million people worldwide will be living with Alzheimer's disease (AD) by 2050. To date there are no drugs that have a substantial positive impact on either the prevention or reversal of cognitive decline. A growing body of evidence finds that targeting lifestyle and vascular risk factors have a beneficial effect on overall cognitive performance. A new review examines research that finds spiritual fitness, a new concept in medicine that centers on psychological and spiritual wellbeing, and Kirtan Kriya, a simple 12-minute meditative practice, may reduce multiple risk factors for AD. Tue, 11 May 2021 12:37:27 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/05/210511123727.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/03/210322121311.htm As psychedelics gain ground as a potential therapy for mental health disorders, there remains a pressing concern that patients in clinical trials may have adverse effects to the drugs. New research identifies personality traits that have been associated with positive and negative experiences on psychedelics in previous studies, information that could help predict how future clinical trial participants will respond to the drugs. Mon, 22 Mar 2021 12:13:11 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/03/210322121311.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/02/210224143306.htm A new study suggests that, while atheists and theists share moral values related to protecting vulnerable individuals, atheists are less likely to endorse values that promote group cohesion and more inclined to judge the morality of actions based on their consequences. Wed, 24 Feb 2021 14:33:06 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/02/210224143306.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/02/210218114018.htm Dreams take us to what feels like a different reality. They also happen while we're fast asleep. So, you might not expect that a person in the midst of a vivid dream would be able to perceive questions and provide answers to them. But a new study shows that, in fact, they can. Thu, 18 Feb 2021 11:40:18 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/02/210218114018.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/01/210111143422.htm Mindfulness courses can reduce anxiety, depression and stress and increase mental wellbeing within most but not all non-clinical settings, say a team of researchers. They also found that mindfulness may be no better than other practices aimed at improving mental health and wellbeing. Mon, 11 Jan 2021 14:34:22 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/01/210111143422.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/01/210108111046.htm 宗教人士面临生命危机依赖情绪n-regulation strategies that psychologists also use, a new study finds. They look for positive ways of thinking about hardship, a practice known to psychologists as 'cognitive reappraisal.' They also tend to have confidence in their ability to cope with difficulty, a trait called 'coping self-efficacy.' Both have been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Fri, 08 Jan 2021 11:10:46 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2021/01/210108111046.htm