Across cultures and traditions, people have long believed that nurturing the spiritual side of life brings deeper meaning, peace and strength.
Even people who do not believe in God show an intuitive preference for something akin to religious belief.
Now, science is beginning to catch up.
From cutting-edge neuroscience labs to long-term health studies, researchers are uncovering connections between spiritual practices and everything from cardiovascular health to cognitive function.
These 8 studies reveal fascinating effects of spirituality on the mind, brain and our overall wellbeing.
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Author: Dr Jeremy Dean
Psychologist, Jeremy Dean, PhD is the founder and author of PsyBlog. He holds a doctorate in psychology from University College London and two other advanced degrees in psychology. He has been writing about scientific research on PsyBlog since 2004. View all posts by Dr Jeremy Dean