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 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | prayer specific chemicals other stimuli |
| Keywords | Prayer Psychology of self Psychotherapist Aesthetics Religious studies |
| Citations | 4 |
| Key points | Proposes that pyramidal neurons in layer 5 of the cerebral cortex are the seat of a spiritual sense, and that healers use this sense through prayer to comfort and heal patients. |
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.
Citations in the library
Cites 10
- Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance Psychopharmacology July 7, 2006
- Prehistoric peyote use: alkaloid analysis and radiocarbon dating of archaeological specimens of Lophophora from Texas. Journal of Ethnopharmacology October 3, 2005
- Dihydrobenzofuran Analogues of Hallucinogens. 4. Mescaline Derivatives Journal of Medicinal Chemistry September 1, 1997
- Dopamine D2High receptors stimulated by phencyclidines, lysergic acid diethylamide, salvinorin A, and modafinil. Synapse August 1, 2009
- Effects of ayahuasca on sensory and sensorimotor gating in humans as measured by P50 suppression and prepulse inhibition of the startle reflex, respectively Psychopharmacology December 1, 2002
and 5 more in the library