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Discussing
material aspects of prayer
by Tanya Zilberter
Discussing
the The Weigh Down Diet, by Gwen Shamblin 
Discussing the The Weigh Down
Diet, by Gwen Shamblin
Go to previous
part -- Get your motivational
message
As early as 1982, the Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews (6-3:229-45)
published an article discussing 241 clinical and experimental studies where
the author concluded:
"Evidence is reviewed regardingthe release of endorphins by
such diverse conditions as stress, long distancerunning, acupuncture, sexual
activity, suggestion, and ritualistic dancingceremonies. Additional evidence
is cited regarding possible physiologicalroles of endorphins in antinociception
[pain control- TZ], socialization,euphoria, some mental disorders, drive
states, and vegetative functions.
As to the eating behavior, appetite and weight control, endorphins
werepostulated to mediate the hunger component of the control of food intake
and regulation of body weight, and systemic increases in endorphins havebeen
associated with satiety (Physiology & Behavior. 35(3):365-70, 1985).
Is anything known about endorphins and religiouspractices other than the
above mentioned "ritualistic ceremonies"? Or isanything known about the
effects of prayer on abuse?The second is easierto answer. In 1997, the University
of New Mexico conducted a study wherein addition to standard treatment,
40 patients admitted to a public substanceabuse treatment facility for treatment
of alcohol problems, consented toparticipate in the test program. The patients
were randomized to receiveor not receive intercessory prayer (double-blind)
by outside volunteers.
Those who reported that a family member or friend was already praying
for them were found to be drinking significantly more than were those who
reported being unaware of anyone praying for them. However, greater frequency
of prayer by the participants themselves was associated with less drinking!
In another study exploring effects of prayer on self-esteem, anxiety,
and depression, improvement was significantly related to subjects' conviction.
As possible explanations the authors included the placebo and faith effects
(as if these two were well understood!)
Putting aside the supernaturalpart of our subject, what is going on within
our brains that so powerfullyinfluences our desires? What is known about
it?
The findings of NewYork University Medical Center suggest that food restriction
and weight lossactivate an endorphin mechanism that facilitates self-stimulation.
(BrainResearch. 607(1-2):141-8, 1993). What does the self-stimulation mean?
Witha tiny electrode implanted into the right place of the brain, it is
possibleto achieve the state of ultimate self-contained happiness. Animals
learnfast how to press the bar to induce such electrical stimulation. Ultimatelythey
prefered it to absolutely anything and everything in the world includingfood,
sex, and life protection. They just sat there and stimulate themselves(thus
the "self-stimulation") until they die from extreme exhaustion andstarvation.
So, even in animals, there is a higher kind of hunger! Again, we will
not discuss the transcendental part of the topic, but justconsider this
fact: among well known releasers of endorphins there are mentalefforts including
the learning process and problem solving (Brain, Behavior,& Immunity.
6(2) :179-88, 1992; Behavioral Neuroscience 103(2): 423-8,1989). Many
indirect considerations are in favor of endorphin release asa possible physiological
mechanism of meditation and this may bring us closeto the conclusion of
possibly a link between the two seemingly remote kindsof hunger.
Read also: More of Him
Less of Me - "My Personal Thoughts, Inspirations, and Meditations
on the Weigh Down Diet" by Jan Christiansen
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