Epilepsy and Religious Experience: A Brain Connection
Author: University of Missouri-Columbia
Published: 9 Mar 2017 - Updated: 17 Sep 2026
Publication Details: Peer-Reviewed | Informative
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content
Synopsis
This peer-reviewed article presents research from the University of Missouri-Columbia examining the neurological basis of religious and spiritual experiences, particularly in individuals with epilepsy. The study found a strong correlation between philosophical religious thoughts and epilepsy, but not between emotional religious experiences and the condition, suggesting that the human tendency for religious thinking may be neurologically predisposed rather than emotionally driven.
Participants, who varied in religious affiliation and included Protestants, Catholics, Buddhists, atheists, and others, completed surveys assessing both epilepsy-related behaviors and religious orientations, highlighting the diversity of spiritual experience among people with neurological disorders. This information is authoritative and useful, especially for individuals with disabilities or seniors, as it provides insight into how neurological conditions like epilepsy can influence spiritual or religious perspectives, potentially informing both clinical care and personal understanding. The research is particularly interesting because it opens avenues for further study on how brain function and surgery might alter spiritual experiences, which could be valuable for medical professionals, caregivers, and patients alike.*
At a Glance
- 1 - The study was published in the journal Mental Health, Religion and Culture. Its title refers to heightened religiosity and epilepsy as evidence for religion-specific neuropsychological processes.
- 2 - The link between epilepsy and intense religious experiences has been noted since at least the 19th century. The Missouri team set out to test the neurological basis behind that long-standing observation.
- 3 - The team plans to study religious experiences before and after brain surgery in future work. This could help pinpoint the specific neuropsychological processes behind spiritually oriented thinking.
- 4 - Participants averaged 39 years of age and spanned Protestant, Catholic, Buddhist, atheist, and other affiliations. This diversity let researchers compare spiritual orientation across very different belief backgrounds.
Topic Definition
- Neurological Basis of Religiosity
The neurological basis of religiosity refers to the idea that a person's disposition toward spiritual experience and religious activity may be rooted in the structure and function of the brain rather than shaped by culture or emotion alone. In the context of this research, it describes the finding that people with epilepsy show a strong correlation with philosophical religious thinking, while emotional religious experience shows no such link. This suggests that the human tendency to reflect on religious questions could be a neurological predisposition, part of how the brain naturally processes meaning and belief. Studying this relationship helps scientists understand why heightened religiosity has long been associated with certain neurological conditions, and it points toward future work, such as examining spiritual experience before and after brain surgery, that could reveal how specific brain processes give rise to religious thought.
Overview
Religious Experiences and Epilepsy
The relationship between epilepsy and heightened religious experiences has been recognized since at least the 19th century.
In a recent study, researchers from the University of Missouri found a neurological relationship exists between religiosity - a disposition for spiritual experience and religious activity - and epilepsy. This finding sheds light on the connection between religion and neuropsychological processes within the human brain.
"Past research has indicated that humans might have a distinctive neurological tendency toward being spiritually oriented," said Brick Johnstone, a neuropsychologist and professor of health psychology. "This research supports the notion that the human propensity for religious or spiritual experiences may be neurologically based."
"The end goal of this research is to understand if some type of connection exists between the brain and spiritual experience," said Daniel Cohen, co-author and assistant professor of religious studies. "If a connection exists, what does it mean for humans and their relationship with religion?"
Religion is ALL in Your Head!
In their study, the researchers asked individuals with epilepsy to take two surveys.
- The first survey assessed behavior characteristics specifically associated with epilepsy.
- The second survey measured religious activities and spiritual orientations.
The average participant was 39 years old, with the majority of participants of Caucasian descent:
- 32 percent identified as Protestant
- 10 percent as Catholic
- 5 percent as Buddhist
- 5 percent as atheist
- 38 percent as other
- 10 percent did not indicate any religious affiliation
"We found a strong correlation between philosophical religious thoughts and epilepsy, but no correlation between emotional thinking and epilepsy," said Greyson Holliday, co-author and MU undergraduate student studying psychology.
"This study suggests that people may have natural neurological predispositions to think about religion but not in a way that is necessarily associated with emotion."
Based on the findings, future research from Johnstone, Holliday and Cohen will examine religious experiences before and after brain surgery to help determine the specific nature of religiously oriented neuropsychological processes.
About the Study
"Heightened religiosity and epilepsy: evidence for religious-specific neuropsychological processes," recently was published in the journal Mental Health, Religion and Culture.
Johnstone is a professor of health psychology in the MU School of Health Professions. Future research from Johnstone, Holliday and Cohen will examine religious experiences before and after brain surgery. The psychology and religious studies departments are in the MU College of Arts and Sciences.
Frequently Asked Questions
NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)
What is religiosity
Religiosity is a person's overall disposition toward spiritual experience, belief, and religious activity. It can include how often someone engages in worship as well as how deeply they reflect on religious ideas.
What is the difference between philosophical and emotional religious thinking
Philosophical religious thinking involves reflecting on questions of meaning, existence, and belief in a reasoned way. Emotional religious thinking centers on feelings and personal emotional responses tied to faith.
Has the link between epilepsy and religion been studied before
Yes, observations connecting epilepsy with heightened religious experiences date back to at least the 19th century. This study aimed to test whether a measurable neurological relationship underlies those long-standing accounts.
What is a neuropsychologist
A neuropsychologist is a specialist who studies how brain function relates to behavior, thinking, and emotion. They often assess how neurological conditions affect mental processes and daily life.
Does this research suggest religion is not real
No, the study examines how the brain may predispose people toward religious thinking, not whether beliefs are true or false. It focuses on the neurological processes involved rather than the validity of any faith.
How were participants selected for the study
The research involved individuals with epilepsy who completed two surveys, one on epilepsy-related behaviors and one on religious orientation. Participants varied in age, background, and religious affiliation.
Why might brain surgery affect religious experience
Because certain brain regions appear linked to religious thinking, altering those areas through surgery could change how a person experiences spirituality. The researchers plan to study patients before and after surgery to explore this.
How could these findings help clinical care
Understanding the neurological roots of religiosity can help clinicians and caregivers respond with greater sensitivity to patients' spiritual experiences. It may also reduce stigma around religious experiences tied to neurological conditions.
Hyperreligiosity: When Faith Becomes a Clinical Sign: Hyperreligiosity explained: how neurological disease, psychosis and rigid belief turn devotion into measurable harm, disability and preventable death.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: This research contributes to the broader discourse on the interplay between neurology and spirituality, highlighting how certain brain conditions can shape profound aspects of human experience. By exploring the neurological underpinnings of religiosity, it opens avenues for more empathetic and informed support for individuals navigating both neurological conditions and spiritual journeys. The intersection of neurology and spirituality, as highlighted in this research, challenges long-held assumptions about the origins of religious experience. By demonstrating that certain aspects of religiosity may arise from specific neurological processes rather than purely cultural or emotional factors, the study not only advances scientific understanding but also invites a more nuanced discussion about the diversity of spiritual life among people with neurological differences. Such findings may help reduce stigma and foster greater empathy for those whose religious experiences differ due to underlying health conditions.*
Attribution/Source(s): This peer reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by University of Missouri-Columbia and published on 9 Mar 2017, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.
* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.