(Carly Cassella) Religious beliefs, or a sense of spirituality, may cushion some people’s brains against depression, according to new research.
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by Carly Cassella, February 10th, 2019
A study has found a curious link between our personally held beliefs and the thickness of white matter in our noggins.
The idea is still very much in its infancy, but as findings like these begin to pile up, the link between depression and religion is becoming ever more intriguing.
Today, we know that depression is, at least to some extent, a consequence of our genes. There is quite a bit of research to suggest that if one or both parents are depressed, it can increase a child’s risk of depression by double, maybe even quadruple the average amount.
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But while these studies strongly suggest a genetic component, depression doesn’t affect everyone with a depressed parent, and can also show up in people without any family history whatsoever.
This means there have to be some other factors at play, and a person’s intrinsic worldview may be one of them.
Among adults with a high family risk for depression, a firm belief in religion or spirituality – never mind attendance at church or other pious acts – seemed to have a protective effect, shielding some patients from a recurrence of major depressive disorder (MDD).
The research is buttressed by a 2005 study, which found that religion served as a buffer against depression in those with poor health. Plus, a 2013 studyfound that those who are treated for mental health issues respond better to treatment if they believe in God.
Diving deeper, the new research used a type of MRI-based neuroimaging, called diffusion tensor imaging, to visualise the white matter in the brains of 99 participants, with varying levels of familial risk for depression.
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White matter is the pale tissue that makes up the brain’s cortex, and it contains the circuitry that brain cells need to communicate with each other.
Previous research has shown that thinning white matter is a biomarker for depression in the brain, and a 2014 study found that religion and spirituality is associated with thicker cortices in several brain regions linked to depression.
The findings of the new study simply feed these correlations. The researchers discovered that those with high familial risk of depression and with important religious or spiritual beliefs, had brains that more closely resembled participants with low familial risk of depression.
“We found that belief in the importance of [religion or spirituality] was associated with thicker cortices in bilateral parietal and occipital regions,” the authors conclude.
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“As we had previously reported cortical thinning in these regions as a stable biomarker for depression risk, we hypothesised that the thicker cortices in those reporting high importance of [religious or spiritual] beliefs may serve as a compensatory or protective mechanism.”
As interesting as these connections are, for the time being, that’s all they can be. Until we can say for sure the effect that religion has on white matter, let alone depression, this study and numerous others will need to be replicated, validated and stretched across greater time spans.
When it comes to the human brain, there’s no simple answer.
This study has been published in Brain and Behaviour.
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Stillness in the Storm Editor: Why did we post this?
Consciousness is one of the most mysterious phenomena of all time. Scientists, philosophers, and mystics have been searching for the answer to the question, What is Consciousness? for most of human history. In modern times, the spiritual origins of consciousness are being replaced with a materialistic view, that awareness emerges as an additive property of electrical impulses in living things. Despite the fact this theory is assumed to be true, any self-respecting psychologist will tell you we have no idea what consciousness really is. The preceding article discusses consciousness, some of its properties, and possible origins. This is helpful to contemplate because, in the act of trying to understand the mysteries of consciousness, you develop critical thinking skills and stimulate your philosophic muscles, both which are immensely important for almost everything we do in life. Additionally, you’ll develop abstract thinking skills, the ability to explore intangible realities that govern material realms. With the power of an active mind capable of navigating the realities of consciousness, great leaps in personal attainment can be made along with preparing you for the Great Work of making this world a better place.
– Justin
Not sure how to make sense of this? Want to learn how to discern like a pro? Read this essential guide to discernment, analysis of claims, and understanding the truth in a world of deception: 4 Key Steps of Discernment – Advanced Truth-Seeking Tools.
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