My guest is Dr. David DeSteno, PhD, a professor of psychology at Northeastern University. We discuss science, God and religion, including what science can and can’t reveal about the existence of God and where religious faith and science do and do not align. We also discuss why questions about life’s origins, miracles and the afterlife have persisted across time. Dr. DeSteno explains how religious rituals cause meaningful improvements in mental and physical health and how prayer and gratitude can markedly reduce stress, increase honesty and compassion and buffer against loneliness and despair. Finally, we explore what distinguishes religions and mission-based communities from cults, and we discuss the role that communities such as 12-step and Burning Man play in modern life.

Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com.

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Timestamps

(00:00) David DeSteno

(02:10) Science & Belief in God, Does God Exist?

(07:06) Universe Origins & Scientific Questions; Religion & Life/Health Benefits

(15:16) Sponsors: Our Place & LMNT

(18:23) Russell's Teapot, Overbelief, Faith; Religio-prospecting, Traditional Practices

(26:49) Mediation & Compassion, Prayer & Stress Relief, Tools: Meditation, Prayer

(34:40) Superstition, Prayers & Rituals; Mourning Rituals, Eulogies, Shiva, Connection

(43:58) Grieving & Different Religious Traditions

(47:15) Sponsors: AG1 & Eight Sleep

(50:12) God vs Religion?; Prayer, Community, Religious Rituals & Ideals

(56:17) Psychedelics, Ego Death, Right vs Left-Handed Roots

(01:01:24) Good & Evil; Lies & Cheating; Gratitude & Prayer

(01:11:03) Loneliness, Community & Religion, Relationship with God & 3AM Friend

(01:16:25) Sponsor: Function

(01:18:12) Feeling God; Intelligent Design, Evolution, Eye; Awe

(01:25:21) Overwhelm & Spiritual Experiences, Awe Despite Understanding

(01:31:01) Fear of Death, Afterlife, Tool: Contemplating Death

(01:37:11) Time Perception, Connectedness, Traditional Practices

(01:42:53) Addiction; 12-Step Programs & Surrender to a Higher Power

(01:49:02) New Religions, Burning Man, Modern Spiritual Experiences, Cults

(01:58:06) Cults vs Religions, Religious Interpretation & Reorientation

(02:03:56) AI, Technology, Religion & Intelligence; Religious Branding

(02:11:05) Religion Figures & Flaws, Direct Experience of God

(02:15:13) Finding a Belief System, Embracing Religious Practices, Tool: Sampling Religions

(02:21:40) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter

Disclaimer & Disclosures

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