A lot of us wonder whether religion and spirituality lead to better health, happiness and longevity. Can prayer cure illness? Can we pray for people and make them better? What are the benefits of meditation? Today we have someone uniquely qualified to answer these questions.

Harold G. Koenig, MD, is on the faculty at Duke as Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Associate Professor of Medicine. His research on religion and health has been featured on The Today Show, ABC’s World News Tonight, and Good Morning America as well as NPR and the BBC. He’s written many books, among “Spirituality in Patient Care” and “Spirituality and Medicine.”

Some of the questions Dr. Koenig answers are: 1) Why do deeply religious people recover from depression more quickly? 2) How does mindfulness meditation make people feel more peaceful? 3) Are people who just want to be “spiritual” not getting the healthful aspects of religion?