Brain areas responsible for spirituality revealed

London, April 21 (IANS) The areas of brain responsible for the many aspects of spiritual experiences have been revealed by US researchers.

Scientists have speculated for years that the human brain features a "God spot", one distinct area of the brain responsible for spirituality.

The University of Missouri researchers have based their study on a previously published work, which indicated spiritual transcendence is associated with decreased right parietal lobe functioning, Daily Mail reported Saturday.

In addition, the researchers determined that other aspects of spiritual functioning are related to increased activity in the frontal lobe.

"We have found a neuropsychological basis for spirituality, but it's not isolated to one specific area of the brain," said Brick Johnstone, professor of health psychology in the School of Health Professions.

"Spirituality is a much more dynamic concept that uses many parts of the brain."

In the most recent study, Johnstone studied 20 people with traumatic brain injuries affecting the right parietal lobe, the area of the brain situated a few inches above the right ear.

He surveyed participants on characteristics of spirituality, such as how close they felt to a higher power and if they felt their lives were part of a divine plan.

He found that the participants with more significant injury to their right parietal lobe showed an increased feeling of closeness to a higher power.

Johnstone says the right side of the brain is associated with self-orientation, whereas the left side is associated with how individuals relate to others, the newspaper added.