Science & Health Benefits of Belief in God & Religion | Dr. David DeSteno
In this episode of the Huberman Lab podcast, Dr. David DeSteno and Andrew Huberman examine the intersection of science and religious belief. They explore how religious practices and scientific understanding can coexist, discussing epidemiological data that shows connections between religious engagement and improved health outcomes, including reduced mortality rates and better mental health.
The conversation covers how religious rituals and practices function as tools that influence human behavior and well-being. DeSteno and Huberman discuss the role of prayer and meditation in managing stress, the importance of religious communities in providing meaning and support, and how various faith traditions approach fundamental questions about human consciousness and suffering that extend beyond scientific understanding.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Aug 25, 2025 episode of the Huberman Lab
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1-Page Summary
Science and God: Compatibility and Debate
In their discussion, DeSteno and Huberman explore the relationship between science and religion, challenging the common belief that these domains are mutually exclusive. DeSteno argues that religious traditions often align with scientific findings about living a good life, and points out that many scientists, including Francis Collins, successfully reconcile their scientific work with religious faith.
The conversation acknowledges that God's existence cannot be empirically tested. DeSteno explains that unlike traditional scientific experiments, supernatural claims can't be tested through experimental causality. Huberman adds that the inability to disprove something doesn't necessarily mean it doesn't exist, highlighting the limitations of scientific inquiry in matters of faith.
Health Benefits of Religious Practices
DeSteno shares compelling epidemiological data showing that active religious engagement can reduce all-cause mortality by 30% and death from cancer and cardiovascular disease by 25%. VanderWeel's longitudinal studies support these findings, demonstrating that increased religious participation can improve health outcomes and longevity.
The mental health benefits are equally significant. According to DeSteno and Huberman, practices like prayer and meditation can buffer against anxiety and depression. They note that formal prayers, such as the rosary or Hindu sutras, have measurable physical benefits, including improved vagal tone and reduced stress levels.
Religious Rituals, Beliefs, and Community in Human Experience
Religious practices serve as powerful connectors to meaning and community. DeSteno explains how traditions and rituals create links between past and future generations, placing current experiences within a larger human narrative. The discussion highlights specific examples, such as the Jewish mourning ritual of Shiva, which uses synchronized prayer to enhance empathy and community bonds.
Huberman and his guests explore how religion addresses fundamental questions beyond scientific understanding, such as the meaning of suffering and the nature of consciousness. They note that experiences of awe and wonder, whether through religious practice or natural phenomena, demonstrate the limits of rational scientific understanding while highlighting the complementary relationship between science and spirituality.
The conversation emphasizes that religious practices act as spiritual technologies that profoundly influence human behavior and well-being, fostering greater empathy, community connection, and personal fulfillment across various faith traditions.
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Counterarguments
- While religious traditions may align with some scientific findings, they can also conflict with others, particularly when it comes to explanations of natural phenomena or historical events.
- The reconciliation of scientific work with religious faith is a personal endeavor and may not reflect a broader compatibility between the two domains.
- The claim that active religious engagement can reduce mortality rates might overlook other factors such as community support, lifestyle choices, and socioeconomic status that often correlate with religious participation.
- Improvements in health outcomes and longevity attributed to religious participation could also be a result of the placebo effect or other psychological factors not directly related to the religious aspect itself.
- The mental health benefits of prayer and meditation could be due to the meditative practice itself rather than the religious context, suggesting that similar benefits might be attainable through secular meditation practices.
- The assertion that religious rituals create links between generations and place experiences within a larger narrative could be seen as a culturally specific perspective that may not hold universally.
- The idea that religion addresses questions beyond scientific understanding might be challenged by those who argue that science has not yet reached its limits and may eventually provide explanations for currently unanswered questions.
- The concept of religious practices as spiritual technologies could be contested by those who view such practices as cultural or psychological constructs rather than technologies.
- The notion that religious practices inherently foster empathy and community connection might be disputed by pointing out instances where religious differences have led to division and conflict.
- The positive framing of religious practices might not account for the negative experiences or outcomes that some individuals associate with religious institutions or beliefs.
Actionables
- You can explore the intersection of science and spirituality by starting a personal journal where you document moments of awe and wonder, noting both the emotional experience and any scientific phenomena that may be related. For example, if you feel a sense of awe looking at the stars, write down what you know about the cosmos and how it relates to your sense of place in the universe.
- Create a "rituals of connection" calendar to intentionally incorporate practices that foster community and empathy into your daily life. This could involve setting aside time each week to engage in activities that connect you with others, such as volunteering, participating in a local cultural event, or organizing a neighborhood potluck where stories and traditions are shared.
- Develop a personal "spiritual technology toolkit" that includes practices from various religious traditions aimed at improving well-being. This might include learning and practicing mindfulness meditation from Buddhist traditions, adopting the Jewish practice of Shabbat to enhance rest and family connection, or exploring the physical postures of Islamic prayer to understand their impact on your body's stress response.
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Science and God: Compatibility and Debate
The conversation between DeSteno and Huberman explores the common misconception that science and religion are mutually exclusive and addresses the profound debates surrounding the existence of God.
Science and Religion Are Not Incompatible
DeSteno argues the lessons from religious traditions often align with scientific findings on leading a good life, underscoring the compatibility between the two. He further explains that the view of science and religion as mutually exclusive is incorrect, reflecting the idea that existence of God is a matter of faith rather than empirical evidence.
God's Existence Is Not Empirically Testable and Can Not Be Definitively Proven or Disproven
Both DeSteno and Huberman discuss the inability to prove or disprove the existence of God, acknowledging that it has been debated for thousands of years. Taking inspiration from William James' concept of overbeliefs—beliefs that lack evidence but feel right and lead to positive outcomes—they suggest that God's existence cannot be definitively proven or disproven and remains a question of faith.
Francis Collins and Other Scientists Reconcile Their Work With Belief in God
DeSteno illustrates how some scientists, like Francis Collins, reconcile their scientific work with a belief in God. The person holding the current world record for the highest IQ, a self-declared Christian, also exemplifies reconciling academic brilliance with faith. This shows the personal ways individuals find harmony between their scientific understanding and spiritual beliefs.
Debating God's Existence Is Not a Scientific Question
The discussion touches on the natural human tendency to insert belief where comprehension is limited, recognizing that people often resort to the idea of God as an explanation for overwhelming natural phenomena.
Lack of Evidence For God Isn't Proof of Absence due to Scientific Limits on Supernatural Claims
DeSteno points out the inherent limitations of science when it comes to claims of the supernatural, such as the existence of God. By comparing it to a drug trial where evidence is cumulative, he explains that one cannot build up ev ...
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Science and God: Compatibility and Debate
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Counterarguments
- While religious traditions may offer insights into leading a good life, some argue that these insights are not unique to religion and can be arrived at through secular ethics and philosophy.
- The compatibility between science and religion can be challenged on the basis that scientific methods rely on testable and falsifiable hypotheses, while religious beliefs often do not adhere to these criteria.
- Some philosophers and scientists argue that the concept of God can be subjected to critical examination and that certain definitions of God may be more empirically testable than others.
- The reconciliation of scientific work with belief in God by individuals like Francis Collins is not evidence of compatibility but rather a demonstration of personal compartmentalization or synthesis.
- The idea that God is an explanation for overwhelming natural phenomena can be seen as a "God of the gaps" argument, which is criticized for placing God in the diminishing spaces of scientific ignorance.
- The argument that lack of evidence for God isn't proof of absence may be true, but it is also argued that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and t ...
Actionables
- You can explore the intersection of science and spirituality by reading books that delve into both realms, such as those by authors who are both scientists and people of faith. This can provide a nuanced perspective that respects both the empirical approach of science and the personal insights of religion, fostering a more integrated worldview.
- Start a personal journal to document instances where you feel a sense of awe or wonder, often attributed to spiritual experiences, and then research the scientific explanations behind these phenomena. This practice can help you appreciate the harmony between how we experience the world and how science explains it, bridging the gap between personal belief and empirical understanding.
- Engage in community service or volunteer work that is sup ...
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Health Benefits of Religious Practices
Engaging In Religious Practices Has Positive Health Outcomes
David DeSteno, Andrew Huberman, and Tyler VanderWeel discuss the health benefits associated with religious practices, noting that such practices can have positive effects on both physical and mental health.
Religious Engagement Boosts Health and Longevity
DeSteno refers to epidemiological data that shows active engagement with religion—beyond merely believing in God—can reduce all-cause mortality by 30%, as well as death due to cancer and cardiovascular disease by 25%. VanderWeel's longitudinal studies reinforce this, showing that becoming more religious can improve health and increase longevity. DeSteno also discusses religions’ ability to curate our emotional lives, shaping us to be more pro-social through practices like gratitude cultivation during prayer.
Health Benefits of Religion: Practices Like Prayer and Meditation Buffer Against Anxiety and Depression, Especially in Younger Adults
DeSteno and Huberman detail the mental health benefits of religious practices. Prayers and meditation have been found to buffer against anxiety and depression, a finding measurable even in younger adults. Illustrating the physical benefits, they mention that formal prayers such as the rosary or Hindu sutras slow down respiration rates and increase exhalation duration, which elevates vagal tone, reduces heart rate, and signals to the brain a state of safety, thus reducing stress.
DeSteno himself, while not a regular practitioner, finds merit in practices like gratitude and meditation, which he acknowledges as beneficial to his own well-being.
Health Benefits of Diverse Faiths
Religious Practices Offer Similar Mental and Physical Health Benefits
The conversation highlights that the mental and physical health benefits of religious practices—a consistent finding across several faiths—suggest similar benefits from diverse religious traditions. The engagement in these practices leads to greater community building, increased kindness and compassion, and ev ...
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Counterarguments
- The correlation between religious practice and health benefits does not necessarily imply causation; other factors such as community support and lifestyle choices common among religious individuals might play significant roles.
- The impact of religious practices on health may be confounded by socio-economic and cultural factors that were not adequately controlled for in the studies mentioned.
- The benefits of religious practices might be replicated by secular practices that foster community, mindfulness, and gratitude without the need for religious belief or participation.
- Some individuals may experience negative mental health outcomes from religious practices due to feelings of guilt, fear, or exclusion, depending on the nature of the religious environment and personal beliefs.
- The reduction in stress and improvement in health outcomes might be more closely associated with the meditative and contemplative aspects of religious practice rather than the religious elements themselves.
- The studies may suffer from selection bias, as those who are capable of regular religious engagement might already be healthier or have a greater capacity for health-promoting behaviors.
- The positive effects of religious practices on decision-making could be challenged by instances where religious beliefs lead to decision-making that is not in line with evidence-based practices.
- T ...
Actionables
- You can create a daily "gratitude minute" where you pause to reflect on something you're thankful for, potentially increasing pro-social behavior. By setting a timer on your phone for a specific time each day, you can take a moment to silently express gratitude or write it down in a journal, fostering a habit that may enhance your social interactions and overall well-being.
- Start a "virtual meditation group" with friends or family to build community and reduce stress. Use a free video conferencing tool to meet weekly and practice guided meditations together, which can help create a sense of connection and shared experience, potentially leading to improved mental health and stronger social bonds.
- Incorporate a "mindful walking" routine into your day to engage in meditat ...
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Religious Rituals, Beliefs, and Community in Human Experience
In a world where technology and norms are in a constant state of flux, religious rituals and beliefs sustain as transformative components in human experience, addressing fundamental needs beyond the grasp of science and fostering community, empathy, and prosocial behavior.
Religious Practices Connect Individuals To Meaning, Purpose, and Community
Religious practices, as described in the conversations between Huberman, DeSteno, and others, serve as touching points that connect individuals to a greater continuum of meaning, purpose, and community.
Rituals and Beliefs Connect People To Past and Future Generations, Providing a Sense of Enduring Tradition and Narrative Beyond one's Lifetime
David DeSteno speaks to the power of traditions to link past and future generations. Religious holidays, prayers, and rituals, he notes, create a connection to a sequence of time that reminds individuals their current challenges are part of a larger human experience. This enduring sense of tradition instills a narrative that extends beyond one's lifetime. For example, the annual observance of religious holidays serves as a punctuation in the "moment to momentness of things," connecting experiences to those of past and future generations. Huberman reflects on walking a beach and contemplating those who came before and who will come after, expanding the perception of the significance of a single moment.
Religious Community and Practices Foster Belonging, Empathy, and Prosocial Behavior
Focusing on the concept of community, guests discuss how religious communities foster feelings of solidarity and empathy. The Jewish mourning ritual of Shiva, as one example, utilizes motor synchrony as participants pray in unison, enhancing empathy and compassion within the community. The Greek Orthodox worry beads and prayer recitation rituals are other traditions that create a sense of connectedness and continuity within a faith group. DeSteno also underscores the prosocial nudges from experiencing gratitude within religious contexts, which fosters empathy and generosity among believers.
Religion's Appeal and Persistence: Addressing Fundamental Needs Beyond Science
The appeal and persistence of religion lie in its ability to reconcile deep-seated emotional and existential human needs that lie beyond the explanatory power of science.
Afterlife, Universe Origin, Suffering's Meaning, and Consciousness Nature Drive Spiritual and Religious Inquiry
The hosts touch upon profound questions typically addressed by religions, such as the meaning of suffering, the nature of consciousness, and the afterlife. These topics drive people towards religious inquiry, as they touch on the inherent human need to make sense of existence and to find comfort in the face of life’s greatest mysteries.
Awe and Wonder In Religion Highlight Limits of Rational Scientific Understanding
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Religious Rituals, Beliefs, and Community in Human Experience
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Counterarguments
- While religious rituals and beliefs can be transformative, they can also be restrictive or oppressive, depending on the context and interpretation.
- Some individuals find meaning, purpose, and community outside of religious practices, such as through secular humanism, philosophy, or other social groups.
- The connection to past and future generations provided by rituals and beliefs can also be achieved through cultural traditions, storytelling, and other secular communal activities.
- Empathy and prosocial behavior are not exclusive to religious communities and can be fostered through secular ethics, education, and social initiatives.
- Science continues to explore and sometimes provide explanations for questions traditionally addressed by religion, such as the nature of consciousness and the origins of the universe.
- The meaning of suffering is a complex topic that can be approached from psychological, philosophical, and practical perspectives, not solely through religious or spiritual ...
Actionables
- You can explore the transformative power of rituals by creating a personal ritual that incorporates elements from various traditions you find meaningful. Start by researching different religious and spiritual practices, then select components that resonate with you, such as meditation, prayer, or the lighting of candles. Combine these into a daily or weekly ritual to help you connect with a sense of purpose and continuity.
- Engage with the concept of intergenerational connection by writing a 'legacy letter' to future generations. Reflect on the values and beliefs that have been important in your life and how they connect to your religious or spiritual heritage. Share stories or lessons learned that you wish to pass on, creating a tangible link between the past, present, and future.
- Foster a sense of awe and wonder by schedu ...
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