how to use spirituality to heal (according to science)

Today I want to talk about a topic I’m truly passionate about:

“The science of Spirituality”

I hold a degree in Psychology and during my psychology studies, spirituality was constantly dismissed as “woo-woo science”.

But turns out this is wrong. 🙂

Science shows:

Your brain is genetically wired for spirituality to protect you from depression, anxiety, and trauma.

So today I want to invite you to learn with me:

The scientific breakdown of how to use spirituality for lifelong healing.

The link between spirituality and mental health

Studies have shown: A Strong link between spirituality and mental health exists:

• Spirituality reduces the risk of depression and substance abuse up to 80%.

• Spirituality is strongly inversely associated with suicidality.

• Spirituality leads to much lower degrees of suffering.

Pretty incredible right? Spirituality serves as an antidote to our suffering.

Thus we see:

Spirituality is beyond “wishful thinking” or “escapism” - it’s wired in our biology helping us heal our inner wounds.

The difference between Spirituality & Religion

Many people ask: Do I have to be religious to be spiritual? Does spirituality help even if I’m not religious?

Well here’s what studies found:

• Spirituality is defined as the personal connection to something greater (like nature, the universe, collective consciousness, or a higher power).

• Religion is defined as structured practices and beliefs within a community and the worship of God.

Research shows:

You don’t have to be religious to experience the mental health benefits of spirituality.

Later we’ll also go into what practices will help you to experience the health benefits.

MRI scans on the effect of spirituality on the Brain

MRI scans found:

Brain areas linked to self-perception and sense of belonging are thicker in people with high spirituality scores than in people with low scores.

Those areas are also thinner in people with depression.

Meaning:

Depression involves having a distorted self-view and the inability to feel a sense of connection with your surroundings.

Spirituality means to have higher awareness and a sense of connection and unity with the world.

The link between depression and spirituality

Now it gets interesting.

Studies suggests that Depression and Spirituality are 2 sides of the same coin, because both affect the same neural pathways - but in opposite ways:

• Depression: narrows your focus, creating isolation and hopelessness.

• Spirituality: broadens your perspective, creating connection, meaning, and purpose.

Spirituality and Depression affect the same brain structures, thus depressive states don’t have to be seen as sickness but as a portal to spiritual awakening.

Now it also makes sense why spiritual texts say: “Suffering is grace”. Deep suffering is a portal to awakening. And we decide whether we want to go through or not.

What happens in the brain during a spiritual experience?

Studies further highlight the influence spiritual experiences have on the brain:

Spiritual experiences activate the “awakened brain”:

• Frontotemporal network - associated with feelings of love.

• Parietal lobe - associated with feelings of unity and belonging.

• Ventral attention network - where we see the world as active and speaking to us.

Brain scans show that spiritual experiences rewire your brain to feel a deeper connection with life, experience love, and create a sense of unity with all beings.

What does this mean for therapy?

Healing doesn't happen by reliving trauma, restructuring thoughts, or medicating emotions.

Instead:

Healing needs an alignment with a larger meaning - tapping into the “awakened mind” that establishes faith in life and the interconnectedness to all beings on earth.

Therapy should thus aim to awaken an alignment with the universe, where we create a sense of safety, trust, and the belief that life has our back.

4 ways to use spirituality to tap into your “awakened brain”

Now we talked a lot about the influence of spiritual devotion on the brain. But now let’s make it practical.

How do I practice spirituality? What spiritual practices lead to better health?

Here’s what the science says:

1. Silence

Meditation is often talked about but seldom implemented.

Imagine pharmacies offering a free pill that takes 10min to digest and gives you inner peace, bliss, energy, pain relief, and less anxiety - everybody would take it.

So stop screwing around - Meditation has been shown to literally thicken the structures of your brain responsible for health.

2. Nature

The Earth’s electromagnetic field resonates at the same frequency as our brain’s alpha waves.

This “wavelength of oneness” explains why nature is so healing - you plug into a universal circuit of unity where separation disappears.

So go out and tap into the sense of “awe” when you touch, feel, see, and hear the forest.

Hearing the birds chirp, touching the earth with your bare feet, and watching the leaves get carried by the wind will heal you.

3. Notice synchronicities

Life talks to you.

Synchronicities are not coincidences - they are messages from the universe.

• Ever thought about someone, and they suddenly call?

• Seen butterflies appearing during your toughest moments?

• Opened a book to a quote that perfectly addresses the struggle you’re facing?

Pay attention to these signs - they’re proof life has your back, guiding you toward the path you need to walk on.

4. The "Three Doors" Exercise

• Draw Your Life’s Road to represent your life’s path and mark the challenges you faced

• Draw a closed door at your 3 lowest moments

• For each closed door, reflect on: Did a new path, opportunity, growth, or lessons emerge?

• Draw an open door leading to a new direction. Reflect on who or what helped you (person, book, inspiration)

This exercise reminds you you’re protected and taken care of. Faith heals, and it’s a powerful way to trust life’s unfolding.

Summary - The science is clear:

Humans are born with an innate biological capacity for spirituality.

Spiritual awareness protects you from depression, anxiety, addiction, and trauma.

So you decide:

You can meet life's challenges with control, rumination, separation, and greed.

Or you can awaken to something larger, to a deep alignment with the universe where all living beings share a common source.

You decide.

That’s it from me for today.

As I mentioned above: Applications for mentoring are open until Sunday. 2 spots are left.

And honestly, I don’t know when or even if I will open my mentoring again. I’m building a writers’ community right now. So toward the end of this year, this community will become my sole focus.

So if you are serious about growing your online brand, reply to this E-Mail with “Mentor” and explain why you would be a right fit for the program.

With love and talk soon,

Heythem