Moving Toward Wholeness:The Relationship Between

Spiritual, Physical, and Mental Health

Andrew Newberg, M.D.Director of Research

Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine

Thomas Jefferson University and Hospital

What is Wholeness?Wholeness refers to the sense of unity or connectedness people can feel with other thingsWholeness can refer to a person’s physical health and well beingWholeness can refer to a person’s spiritual experience or spiritual well beingWholeness relates to certain brain structures and functions

The Brain and WholenessFirst we must understand how and where wholeness is experiencedUse phenomenological analysis to understand wholenessCorrelate wholeness with brain processesUse modern scientific methods to better understand biological correlates of wholeness Neurotheology as a framework for this discussion

When and Where Does Wholeness Occur?

Wholeness is central part of every religious and spiritual traditionCentral tenet is that we are separated from the source (i.e. something sacred or absolute)The goal is to reconnect and become whole with God or Absolute realityPrimary means for attaining wholeness is through various practices

Ritual, meditation, prayer

Wholeness in the BrainBinary function of the brain (inferior parietal lobe) Orientation area of the brain (superior parietal lobe)Rituals, meditation and prayer can alter activity in the parietal regionsBrain scan studies of meditation and prayer practicesThese practices also affect the body creating health and wholeness

Other Brain Areas Involved in Wholeness

Emotions related to limbic systemAmygdala and hippocampus

Frontal lobes associated with increased attention and willfulness

Modulates emotionSense of surrender

Thalamus regulates brain functions and consciousness

Functional Areas of the Brain

Orientation Area Orientation Area

Baseline Meditation

SPECT Images at Baseline and During Meditation

SPECT Images at Baseline and During Meditation

Baseline Meditation

Attention Area Attention Area

SuperiorParietal Lobe

SuperiorParietal Lobe

Baseline Scan Prayer Scan

Comparison of Baseline to Prayer

How Do Spiritual Practices Change Your Brain over time?

Combine imaging and other scientific measures with subjective and phenomenological evaluationLongitudinal findings

Comparison of long-term meditators with non-meditatorsDo spiritual practices affect the brain over time?Kirtan Kriya and memory study

Kirtan Kriya Meditation Study

A

C

B

D

Neuroemotional TechniqueNET is a program that utilizes several different concepts to provide a sense of wholeness and reduce stress and anxietyNET utilizes concepts from acupressure, biofeedback, and cognitive therapy NET has been particularly effective in helping patients with various health and psychologically related traumas

Cancer and StressStress can manifest in a variety of physical and psychological symptomsReferred to in the cancer literature as “Distressing Recollections”About 1/3 of cancer patients have distressing recollectionsThese distressing recollections cause as much morbidity as PTSDThe two primary psychological symptoms of distressing recollections are avoidance and intrusive thoughts

Avoidance

Avoidance is driven by strong unpleasant feelings (primarily fears) triggered by trauma-related thoughts, places (i.e. hospitals, doctor’s offices, etc.)Likely associated with increased amygdala activityAvoidance is manifested through staying away and escaping these provocative cues

Intrusive Thoughts

Involuntary, unwanted thoughts, memories or imagesIntrusive thoughts are usually upsetting and often indicate an ongoing coping and mental processing of an unresolved stressful event

Jefferson-NET Study

To assess the effect of the NET program on cancer patients with a history of distressing traumaTo evaluate the effect of the NET on brain functionPatients must have a history of cancer and a related distressing psychological traumaPatients are screened, evaluated for inclusion criteria, undergo psychological evaluation, and then scanned in the fMRIAfter the NET program patients again undergo psychological evaluation and fMRI

Study Design-SubjectsInclusion Criteria

Age ≥18 years of ageDistressing cancer-related recollection that causes physiological reactivity (i.e., increased heart rate >5% and/or increased skin conductance level >33%).Received a cancer diagnosis between 6 months and 3 years prior to participating in study

Exclusion Criteria Any current major psychiatric disorderHistory of depression before the cancer diagnosisCurrent diagnosis of substance abuse or dependenceUse of some psychotropic medications are allowed such as SSRIs and certain sleep aidsCurrently receiving chemotherapy or radiation

fMRI ProtocolStructural scan – required to provide anatomical informationResting functional connectivity scan (BOLD) (pre) – shows how different structures are connected to each otherDiffusion tensor imaging (DTI) scan – shows actual connecting tracts within the brainResting perfusion (Arterial Spin Labeling) scan (pre) – shows the brain’s activity at rest before the stressor taskNeutral perfusion (ASL) scan – shows the brain’s activity while listening to a control stimulusStressor perfusion (ASL) scan – shows the brain’s activity while listening to the stressor stimulusResting functional connectivity scan (BOLD) (post) – shows how different structures are connected to each other

fMRI Results

Perfusion fMRIStressor – NeutralPre NET Treatment

Perfusion fMRIStressor – NeutralPost NET Treatment

Functional Connectivity Between the AmygdalasPre NET Treatment

Pre- Stressor Induction Post- Stressor Induction

LR R L

R=0.36 R=0.50

Functional Connectivity Between the AmygdalasFunctional Connectivity Between the AmygdalasPost NET TreatmentPost NET Treatment

LR R L

R=0.37 R=0.34

Pre- Stressor Induction Post- Stressor Induction

Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI)Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI)

After the NET program, the fiber density

increased between the frontal lobes and

amygdala by ~50%.

NET ConclusionsThe data show marked changes in the fMRI results between the pre and post NET scansThe amygdala is highly reactive pre-NET and actually decreases in reactivity post-NETThe frontal lobe appears to be able to modulate the amygdala’s reactivity post-NETThe NET program normalizes the brain’s reaction to trauma (stressor)We now await more data to confirm and augment these initial findings

Final Conclusions: Can we foster wholeness and well being?

We can turn to practices and beliefs that foster more compassion, wholeness and well beingFind practices that work best for you and are consistent with your belief systemSpecific practices such as meditation and prayer affect the wholeness areas of the brainPractices like NET lower stress response and anxietyWholeness can ultimately fill your brain, health, and life

The End

Andrew NewbergJefferson-Myrna Brind Center of

Integrative Medicine215-955-2221

Andrew.newberg@jefferson.edu215-503-3422