Science & Health Benefits of Belief in God & Religion | Dr. David DeSteno
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The Scientific Utility of Religion and Spiritual Practices
Discover why science and religion are not inherently opposed and learn the evidence-based health benefits derived from specific religious and spiritual practices like gratitude, communal ritual, and structured prayer.
Short Summary
- Longitudinal data shows religious engagement cuts all-cause mortality by 30% and decreases cancer/cardiovascular disease deaths by 25%.
- Rituals function as sophisticated mind-body technologies that promote compassion and reduce stress, often via physiological mechanisms like increasing vagal tone.
- Health benefits require active engagement in community practices or disciplined individual practices; passive belief alone does not yield these measurable effects.
- The scientific search for proof of God’s existence is moot; focusing instead on studying the demonstrable positive impacts of belief fulfills the goal of human flourishing science.
- This discussion explores practices spanning grief rituals (Shiva), concepts of awe, and the crucial distinctions between enduring religion and fleeting cults.
This conversation with Dr. David DeSteno provides a scientific framework for understanding how religious and spiritual traditions—regardless of metaphysical truth—offer practical tools for improving mental and physical health. We examine why practices promoting honesty, reducing loneliness, and offering comfort in the face of mortality are evolutionarily or culturally adaptive, offering actionable pathways for leveraging this ancient wisdom.
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Top Comments (10)
I am a population nurse. I speak with mostly elderly, chronically ill patients daily. The ones with strong faith in God or religious are by far less depressed, seem to have stronger community and cope MUCH better with their circumstances. They are also less likely to be alcoholics. There has to be way more to this than we can see.
As a Christian I love that Andrew Huberman isn't afraid to talk about this topic. The older you get the more you realise how empty chasing money possessions love leaves you. Plus you realise that magic isn't real and that nothing can't create something when it comes to how Earth came to be.
Thank you for watching. If you enjoyed this topic and episode, please click the "like" button and subscribe to our channel here on YouTube. Thank you for your interest in science! -- Andrew
I've been wondering this exact topic for a very long time now. No matter how many crazy comments litter this comment section, I just wanna say I appreciate you having -- honestly-- the bravery to post a video like this. This is very very helpful.
What a timely and thoughtful episode! As a woman of science and long-time fan of your channel, I found my faith this past year and felt tangible benefits in my own life in so many ways. Thank you for talking about this and sharing your own views!
Anyone who has experienced love knows that God exists, for he is love. In my later years, I have experienced dreams, visions, and prophecies that leave it beyond doubt, for me. Its worth chasing, you have NOTHING to lose...
The data on prayer literally changing your neural pathways and reducing cortisol is wild. Most people think spirituality and science are opposites, but they're actually showing us the same thing, we're not meant to carry all this stress alone. What hit me most was the part about surrendering to a higher power in 12-step programs. Your brain literally can't handle everything by itself, and admitting that isn't weakness... it's biological truth. We're wired for connection to something greater than our individual consciousness. Thank you for this one brother!
Perfect… as a former researcher for PBS NOVA , I have , for almost the last decade, been working on an independent project with basically this title.. science of God & spiritually… Thanks for adding to my research
Relationship with God is not just a surrender, it’s an everyday surrender of your will to Gods will, an everyday reliance on God’s authority in your life to change you to be God’s potential in this world and for every faith believer, it’s the gold standard. May God bless your search for his truth
One of the main reasons I’m so interested in cognitive science is its broadness; it relates to almost every part of life.
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Top Comments (10)
I am a population nurse. I speak with mostly elderly, chronically ill patients daily. The ones with strong faith in God or religious are by far less depressed, seem to have stronger community and cope MUCH better with their circumstances. They are also less likely to be alcoholics. There has to be way more to this than we can see.
As a Christian I love that Andrew Huberman isn't afraid to talk about this topic. The older you get the more you realise how empty chasing money possessions love leaves you. Plus you realise that magic isn't real and that nothing can't create something when it comes to how Earth came to be.
Thank you for watching. If you enjoyed this topic and episode, please click the "like" button and subscribe to our channel here on YouTube. Thank you for your interest in science! -- Andrew
I've been wondering this exact topic for a very long time now. No matter how many crazy comments litter this comment section, I just wanna say I appreciate you having -- honestly-- the bravery to post a video like this. This is very very helpful.
What a timely and thoughtful episode! As a woman of science and long-time fan of your channel, I found my faith this past year and felt tangible benefits in my own life in so many ways. Thank you for talking about this and sharing your own views!
Anyone who has experienced love knows that God exists, for he is love. In my later years, I have experienced dreams, visions, and prophecies that leave it beyond doubt, for me. Its worth chasing, you have NOTHING to lose...
The data on prayer literally changing your neural pathways and reducing cortisol is wild. Most people think spirituality and science are opposites, but they're actually showing us the same thing, we're not meant to carry all this stress alone. What hit me most was the part about surrendering to a higher power in 12-step programs. Your brain literally can't handle everything by itself, and admitting that isn't weakness... it's biological truth. We're wired for connection to something greater than our individual consciousness. Thank you for this one brother!
Perfect… as a former researcher for PBS NOVA , I have , for almost the last decade, been working on an independent project with basically this title.. science of God & spiritually… Thanks for adding to my research
Relationship with God is not just a surrender, it’s an everyday surrender of your will to Gods will, an everyday reliance on God’s authority in your life to change you to be God’s potential in this world and for every faith believer, it’s the gold standard. May God bless your search for his truth
One of the main reasons I’m so interested in cognitive science is its broadness; it relates to almost every part of life.