The role of the medial prefrontal cortex in human religious activity

Muramoto, Osamu

doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2003.10.010

Cited by 77 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…In some women, expanded sexual response (ESR) and expanded orgasms (EO) may mimic the acute effects of some hallucinogens for a very short period of time (Sayin, 2011;Taylor, 2000;. For centuries, mystical experiences through yoga, Zen meditation, prayers have been cited to induce a kind of ASC (Muramuto, 2004;Wain 2007;Austin, 1999;Tart, 1990). Right temporal lobe and prefrontal cortex have been reported to be the important loci of mystical tendencies and abilities ( (Muramuto, 2004;Wain, 2007;Saver, 1997).…”

Section: Question 1: How Can We Explain Tens Of Different Perception mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For centuries, mystical experiences through yoga, Zen meditation, prayers have been cited to induce a kind of ASC (Muramuto, 2004;Wain 2007;Austin, 1999;Tart, 1990). Right temporal lobe and prefrontal cortex have been reported to be the important loci of mystical tendencies and abilities ( (Muramuto, 2004;Wain, 2007;Saver, 1997). Naturally, the brain has its own capacity and tendency to perceive the environment, and universe in a mystical and philosophical perspective.…”

Section: Question 1: How Can We Explain Tens Of Different Perception mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is also reported that the excessive activation of medial prefrontal cortex may induce mystical experience (Muramuto, 2004;Wain, 2007); also, fMRI studies of nun's mystical experience revealed that during such a trance right medial orbito-frontal cortex, right temporal cortex, right caudate nucleus were activated (Beauragerd, 2006); and cerebral blood flow was increased in prefrontal cortex and right temporal lobe during religious experience in the nuns (Newberg, 2003). Temporal lobe disturbances are mentioned to induce the individual's tendency for believing in and searching paranormal phenomena (Pizagalli, 2000;Lavalle, 1992;Persinger, 1985).…”

Section: Question 1: How Can We Explain Tens Of Different Perception mentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Comparative Review of the Neuro-Psychopharmacology of Hallucinogen-Induced Altered States of Consciousness: The Uniqueness of Some Hallucinogens

Sayın¹

2012

Neuroquantology

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Altered states of consciousness induced by hallucinogens (H-ASC) is still a vaguely understood phenomenon. Taken the diverse psychological effects they exert, the main mechanism of action of hallucinogens; LSD, ibogaine, THC, PCP, MDMA, methamphetamine, mescaline, psilocybin and DMT, of which psychological effects are discussed in the article, are not properly understood and explained by the modern methods of neuroscience due to the lack of vigorous research. The involvement of some receptors, such as, 5-HT 2 (and probably other 5-HT receptors), glutamate and dopamine receptors, adrenergic and cannabinoid receptors, is one of the mechanisms, however it is not easy to explain such incongruent psychological effects by only receptor and neurotransmitter systems alone, since H-ASCs have, sometimes, their own unity and gestalt, unfolding the subconscious, in the "voyages" they induce, although the perception may, or may not, be distorted depending on the person, and "set and setting". They induce visual, tactile and auditory hallucinations; synesthesia; perception of fractals, geometrical and kaleidoscopic images with vivid colors; perception of two dimensional pictures as three dimensional, animated and moving; distortions and alterations in the body perception; alterations in the perceptions of temporal-spatial continuum and time; changes in the perception of the ego and the self; feelings of unification with nature and universe, peak experiencesmimicking satori or nirvana-, ecstasy, rapture, extreme euphoria, excitement and happiness, oceanic bliss, self-fulfillment, referred as "good trip", as well as, dysphoria, anxiety, mania, delirium, psychosis, acute schizophrenia, collapse of the self, known as "bad trip"; depending upon the mood, affection and psychology of the person, and "set and setting". Mysticomimetic effects of H-ASCs, imitate the consciousness states of ancient mystics, probably, by means of activating prefrontal cortex, limbic system and the right temporal lobe. A hypothetical "holographic brain theory" may give some extra insights about the explanation of some of the effects of H-ASCs. It should be taken into account that H-ASCs, can be accepted as a good tool to investigate the nature of consciousness, brain and the human psyche, as well as some of the H-ASCs are good models of psychosis, too. More detailed scientific research should be performed to understand the basic and real mechanisms of H-ASCs, to comprehend and unravel the mystery of human mind and consciousness, since scientific medical research on hallucinogens has been legalized since 1992.

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Section: Question 1: How Can We Explain Tens Of Different Perception mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Question 1: How Can We Explain Tens Of Different Perception mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Question 1: How Can We Explain Tens Of Different Perception mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A Comparative Review of the Neuro-Psychopharmacology of Hallucinogen-Induced Altered States of Consciousness: The Uniqueness of Some Hallucinogens

Sayın¹

2012

Neuroquantology

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“…Recent formuleerde Muramoto (2004) een interessante hypothese over de rol van de mediale prefrontale cortex bij de religieuze activiteit. Dit gebied speelt een cruciale rol bij het opsporen van fouten en het monitoren en het zich houden aan sociale normen, essentie¨le functies voor religieus gedrag.…”

Section: De Bijdrage Vanuit De Neuroscienceunclassified

Spiritualiteit en religie

Stel¹

2005

GEGE

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“…Religious activities involve many human cognitive functions including language, memory, judgment, reasoning, and emotions such as awe, joy, and fear. The nature of these cognitive and emotional functions implicate particular brain regions in religious activity (Muramoto, 2004). Indeed, alterations of brain function can change religious behavior and attitudes.…”

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confidence: 99%

Executive Functions in Morality, Religion, and Paranormal Beliefs

Wain

Spinella

2007

International Journal of Neuroscience

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Moral, religious, and paranormal beliefs share some degree of overlap and play important roles in guiding peoples' behavior. Although partly cultural phenomena, they also have neurobiological components based on functional neuroimaging studies and research in clinical populations. Because all three show relationships to prefrontal system functioning, the current study examined whether they related to executive functions as measured by the Executive Function Inventory in a community sample. As in previous research, religious beliefs related positively to both moral attitudes and paranormal beliefs. Moral attitudes, however, did not relate to paranormal beliefs. Paranormal beliefs related inversely to impulse control and organization, whereas small positive correlations occurred between traditional religious beliefs, impulse control, and empathy. Moral attitudes, on the other hand, showed consistent positive correlations with all executive functions measured, independent of demographic influences. These findings concordantly support that prefrontal systems play a role in morality, religion, and paranormal beliefs.

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The role of the medial prefrontal cortex in human religious activity

Cited by 77 publications

References 24 publications

A Comparative Review of the Neuro-Psychopharmacology of Hallucinogen-Induced Altered States of Consciousness: The Uniqueness of Some Hallucinogens

A Comparative Review of the Neuro-Psychopharmacology of Hallucinogen-Induced Altered States of Consciousness: The Uniqueness of Some Hallucinogens

Spiritualiteit en religie

Executive Functions in Morality, Religion, and Paranormal Beliefs

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