Smartphone surveys find a connection between daily spiritual experiences and well-being

Using smartphone check-ins twice a day for two weeks, sociologists in a national U.S. study have found a link between individuals’ daily spiritual experiences and overall well-being, say researchers. Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201002130524.htm

Yoga and meditation reduce chronic pain

A mindfulness-based stress reduction course was found to benefit patients with chronic pain and depression, leading to significant improvement in participant perceptions of pain, mood and functional capacity, according to a new study. Most of the study respondents (89%) reported the program helped them find ways to better cope with their pain while 11% remained… Continue reading Yoga and meditation reduce chronic pain

Unconscious learning underlies belief in God, study suggests

Individuals who can unconsciously predict complex patterns, an ability called implicit pattern learning, are likely to hold stronger beliefs that there is a god who creates patterns of events in the universe, according to neuroscientists. Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200909085942.htm

When it comes to supporting candidates, ideology trumps race and gender

Voters who express prejudice against minorities and women are still more likely to support candidates who most closely align with their ideologies, regardless of the race or sex of such candidates, according to new research. Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200824092003.htm

Meditation-relaxation therapy may offer escape from the terror of sleep paralysis

Sleep paralysis — a condition thought to explain a number of mysterious experiences including alleged cases of alien abduction and demonic night-time visits — could be treated using a technique of meditation-relaxation, suggests a pilot study published today. Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200812094900.htm