2007-06-08 03:55:29 · 10 answers · asked by benignmalaprop 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes, one of the primary neurochemicals involved in them is known as DMT [dimethyltryptamine, 2- (1H-indol-3-yl)-N,N- dimethyl- ethanamine, empirical: C12H16N2], colloquially known as "the god molecule."
You can find more on this substance at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimethyltryptamine
2007-06-08 04:00:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
If you ask shallow questions, you will get shallow answers.
Your question presumes that religious experience is secondary to neurotransmitter physiology.
Scientists will never answer this question as long as they imagine they are unbiased perceivers of the physical universe.
There are neurotransmitters "associated" with religious experience, yes. Your presumptions about the nature of reality will stop you from finding a meaningful answer.
Consider asking yourself what your own intentions are with regard to this question.
2007-06-08 04:24:15 · answer #2 · answered by flip33 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
To some extent, but this is a largely underdevolped field. This is, believe it or not, the subject of Sam Harris' doctoral thesis in Neurology. He's done some pretty interesting, possibly revolutionary, work in brain image mapping and attempting to figure out the biochemical and mechanical process that goes into religious and spiritual experiences. Read some more about it on www.samharris.org.
2007-06-08 03:59:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
DiMethelTriptamine. The neurotransmitter associated with hallucinations and psychedelic experiences.
2007-06-08 04:01:38 · answer #4 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know specifically about neurotransmitters, but I did see a news story last year about them discovering a "God gene" that makes a person more likely to believe than other people.
2007-06-08 03:57:57 · answer #5 · answered by mommanuke 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What experiences are you talking about? All feelings of pleasure or pain or happiness you feel is a response of neurotransmitters.
2007-06-08 03:59:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe there's something called a "God helmet" which stimulates parts of the brain causing effects similar to those of people who've had religious experiences.
That's more or less all I know about it though.
2007-06-08 03:59:12 · answer #7 · answered by EZSum 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dopamine and endorphins are probably involved. I would hazard a guess that it is the same ones responsible for making television addictive.
2007-06-08 03:59:32 · answer #8 · answered by Dharma Nature 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Dopamine, serotonin and to a lesser extent noradrenalin within the orbito-frontal cortex.
2007-06-08 03:58:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
You'd do better to ask this ober in biology or medicine. I believe it's in the temporal lobe, but that's the best I can offer. Sorry!
2007-06-08 03:57:31 · answer #10 · answered by ZombieTrix 2012 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋