Hormones released while having sex
can increase spirituality and belief in God, scientists have claimed. According
to the research, release of oxytocin not only promotes social bonding and helps
childbirth in women, but also stimulates increased feelings of religiousness. A
research tem carried out a study in which they coasted levels of oxytocin in
middle-aged men and found increased self-reported spirituality on two separate measures.
The effect remained significant even a week later. A control group who received
a placebo did not report higher levels of spirituality. Those who received the
hormone also reported more positive emotions during meditation.
Spirituality and meditation have
each been linked to health and well being. Researchers were interested in
understanding biological factors that may enhance those spiritual experiences. Oxytocin
appears to be part of the way our bodies support spiritual beliefs. Oxytocin is
produced in the hypothalamus, and previous research has indicated the hormone may
play a role in promoting empathy, trust, social bonding and altruism. The group
who received oxytocin was more likely to report that spirituality was important
in their lives and that life has meaning and purpose. This remained true after
taking into account whether the participant belonged to an organized religion
or not.
The participants who received the
hormone also gave more positive responses to statements, including “all life is
interconnected” and “there is a higher plane of consciousness or spirituality
that binds all people”. However, researcher warned the findings should not be
over-generalized. Oxytocin does seem to affect how we perceive the world and
what we believe.
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