Science Taps into Your G-Spot (...God-Spot)
For every religion in the world you'll find followers who have tales of experiencing moments of euphoric closeness to their chosen god at one time or another in their lives -- and it's not just because of the days they get off from work. Scientific American investigated this phenomenon in a recent article. Why is Scientific American writing about religious states, you ask? Because a team of scientists in Canada has discovered a way of inducing these feelings of religious euphoria. For years, scientists have believed that the brain's temporal lobe is in some way responsible for or involved in these feelings. At Laurentian University in Ontario, Michael Persinger and team have developed a helmet that uses weak electromagnetic fields to stimulate this area of the wearer's brain -- the so-called "God spot." Once switched on, wearers almost universally describe euphoric sensations and the feeling of a spiritual presence in the room -- the very sort of thing described by the devoutly religious when praying or meditating. His guinea pigs? A group of 15 nuns who all responded to a call for volunteers, "who [had] had an experience of intense union with God."
So, is this helmet a shortcut to religious contentment? Is it scientific proof that the devout are just plain happier? That's one debate we're staying out of.
From Slashdot
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
David @ Oct 8th 2007 6:46PM
Sign me up now! The helmet would be worth its weight in gold for sure!
JimBee @ Oct 8th 2007 11:59PM
Beam me up.. GOD!! :)
steve-o @ Oct 9th 2007 1:48AM
Either God created us this way, or we evolved this way (cannot be both and). What would be the evolutionary benefit? (Time Magazine published an article conerning this very subject some time ago. The researchers were atheists, if memory serves. It would make sense to reduce God to a chemical reaction in the brain, if God did not exist. But all secular explanations explaining why we have this sensation are lacking somehow, not quite satisfactory.)
Shawn Bushway @ Oct 9th 2007 8:14AM
G*D will cease to exist the moment man realizes it never did - it's as simple as that. And I'm to the point where I don't feel I have to be respectful about it. In 2007 it's neolithically stupid to be even talking about it. G*d is man-made, the bible was written to control the stupid unless you really believe in talking animals, food falling from the sky or man walking on water. It's time to put these silly, stupid and unproveable superstitions to rest - grow-up America - it's long past time.
Brandi @ Oct 9th 2007 9:29AM
Shawn, it's so sad that you have such little faith. It must be discouraging thinking this is the only life you have. I don't know how someone can look at the miracle of birth alone and still think there's no god. Well, I'm happy to tell you, He does exist, and one day, you'll bow before Him. What's the harm in believing?
Brandi
Steve @ Oct 9th 2007 11:16AM
People who believe in myths like God are not smart people. People believe in all kinds of made-up things like ghosts, angels, leprechans, witches, gods and demons. All made up by humans. There's nothing going on on the planet but a lot of war and hatred. Wake up people.
It's easy for people to just believe in these weird myths because it stops the thought process from rationalizing reality and that is too difficult for most people to grasp. Ignorance is bliss.