
AbstractBackgroundIt has been shown that particular religious beliefs and practices are associated with brain function and structure. The present voxel‐based morphometry study investigated the correlation between the belief in the miracles of Lourdes (a major Catholic pilgrimage site) and gray matter volume in specific brain regions associated with theory of mind (ToM).MethodStructural brain data from 84 women (mean age: 25 years; no current somatic illness; 80% Roman‐Catholic) were correlated with self‐report measures on belief in miracles, religious–spiritual well‐being, and psychological problems. Selected brain regions of the ToM network included the temporoparietal junction (TPJ), hippocampus, amygdala, and medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC).ResultsThe belief in the miracles of Lourdes was positively correlated with general religiousness and with feelings of connectedness; there was no association with psychological problems. Belief in miracles of Lourdes correlated positively with TPJ volume and negatively with MPFC volume.ConclusionBelief in the miracles was associated with brain volume in regions involved in mentalizing and self‐control.
specific religious beliefs, Adult, Brain Mapping, religious–spiritual well‐being, Adolescent, Emotions, Theory of Mind, miracles of Lourdes, Brain, Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry, Middle Aged, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Religion, Young Adult, Humans, voxel‐based morphometry, Female, Gray Matter, RC321-571, Original Research
specific religious beliefs, Adult, Brain Mapping, religious–spiritual well‐being, Adolescent, Emotions, Theory of Mind, miracles of Lourdes, Brain, Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry, Middle Aged, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Religion, Young Adult, Humans, voxel‐based morphometry, Female, Gray Matter, RC321-571, Original Research
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