Sex, God, and the Brain: How Sexual Pleasure Gave Birth to Religion and a Whole Lot More

by Andrew B. Newberg

For the modern world, it seems as if sexuality and spirituality have always been at odds. But what if the two are actually deeply connected? And what if science could prove this connection?

From neuroscientist Andrew Newberg, Sex, God, and the Brain argues that our religious and spiritual experiences derive directly from our sexual being. While others have speculated on a connection between religion and sex, Newberg is the first to demonstrate—with groundbreaking brain scan research gained through Orgasmic Meditation studies—that the underlying biological mechanism of religious, spiritual, and sexual experiences are identical.

With research technical enough for academics, but explained simply enough for the everyday reader, Sex, God, and the Brain, will reframe our understanding of the link between spirituality and sexuality.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sexuality, Spirituality, Religion, Science

240 pages, Paperback

Published August 6, 2024

About the author

Dr. Andrew Newberg is Director of Research at the Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Medical College. He is also Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. He is Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Nuclear Medicine. He is considered a pioneer in the neuroscientific study of religious and spiritual experiences, a field frequently referred to as – neurotheology. His work attempts to better understand the nature of religious and spiritual practices and experiences. This has been compiled into his latest book, Principles of Neurotheology, which reviews the important principles and foundations of neurotheology. Believing that it is important to keep science rigorous and religion religious, he has engaged the topic like few others. He has been fascinated by the implications of this research for the study of the mind, brain, consciousness, morality, theology, and philosophy. He has also been particularly interested in the relationship between the brain, religion, and health. His research has included brain scans of people in prayer, meditation, rituals, and various trance states. He has also performed surveys of people's spiritual experiences and attitudes. Finally, he has evaluated the relationship between religious and spiritual phenomena and health. This includes a recent study on the effect of meditation on memory.

In his career, he has also actively pursued neuroimaging research projects on the study of aging and dementia, Parkinson's disease, depression, and other neurological and psychiatric disorders. He has also researched the neurophysiological correlates of acupuncture, meditation, and alternative therapies, and how brain function is associated with mystical and religious experiences. Dr. Newberg helped develop stress-management programs for the University of Pennsylvania Health Systems and received a Science and Religion Course Award from the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences for his program entitled "The Biology of Spirituality" in the Department of Religious Studies, University of Pennsylvania. He is currently teaching a course in the Department of Religious Studies entitled, “Science and the Sacred: An Introduction to Neurotheology.”

Dr. Newberg has published over 150 research articles, essays and book chapters, and is the co-author of the best selling books, Why God Won't Go Away: Brain Science and the Biology of Belief (Ballantine, 2001) and How God Changes Your Brain: Breakthrough Findings from a Leading Neuroscientist (Ballantine, 2009). He has also published, Principles of Neurotheology (Ashgate, 2011) Why We Believe What We Believe (Ballantine, 2006), and The Mystical Mind (Fortress Press, 1999). He has presented his research throughout the world in both scientific and public forums. He appeared on Nightline, 20/20, Good Morning America, ABC's World News Tonight, National Public Radio, London Talk Radio and over fifteen nationally syndicated radio programs. His work has been featured in Time, Newsweek, the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and many other newspapers and magazines. An overview of his work can be viewed at on this site.

Reviews

[Haerlee · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the modern world, it seems as if sexuality and spirituality have always been at odds. But what if the two are actually deeply connected? And what if science could prove this connection?

From neuroscientist Andrew Newberg, Sex, God, and the Brain argues that our religious and spiritual experiences derive directly from our sexual being. While others have speculated on a connection between religion and sex, Newberg is the first to demonstrate—with groundbreaking brain scan research gained through Orgasmic Meditation studies—that the underlying biological mechanism of religious, spiritual, and sexual experiences are identical.

With research technical enough for academics, but explained simply enough for the everyday reader, Sex, God, and the Brain, will reframe our understanding of the link between spirituality and sexuality.

My Take:
Considering the diverse perspectives on sex and sexuality—who is allowed to express it, when, and with whom—these topics are now openly debated rather than being considered inappropriate for polite conversation. This book provides literature and research to expand the discussion on sexuality and its role within Christianity and other contexts. Add this to your libraries and syllabi to broaden these discussions.

[Dian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly I would like to give this 2.5 stars, but that is not possible. First my issues with the book. The author cites, very often, the Alpha Male idea, which has been largely debunked. This annoyed me every time I read it, I can not lie. If he had used a different term, like hierarchical, it would not have bothered me nearly as much. Two, the author is working in a pretty soft science, brain patterning etc, which is very hard to measure or validate easily. Presenting his ideas like they are proven absolutes is a bit of a stretch. All that being said, I do think that he brings up some interesting ideas and challenges and made me think about how religion and sexuality are intertwined and how that plays out in society. I wish he had broadened his research into religions that had equal authority regardless of gender and who didn't have strict ideas about "sin" centering around sexuality outside of marriage and traditional heterosexual couples. Overall the book was a quick read and gave me some things to think about and meditate over, so if this is an area that interests you, it might be worth giving it a try.

[Joshua · Rating 1 out of 5]

This work is severely lacking. The author wants to make a connection between sex and religion, while trying to present data from brain scans of brain activity during a very niche sexual experience (data he acknowledges later in the book comes from cult participants). I don't think he even speaks to the byline or makes any kind of strong case for it. There's just lots of speculation and conclusions that seem unrelated to the data presented. I was honestly surprised at how little book speaks to the subject.

Perhaps the problem lies in the fact that the author approaches the topic as a medical doctor; however, this thesis needs both an anthropologist and a theologian; and I was particularly surprised that influence from the latter was almost negligible. He mentions all major world religions teach monogamy in sexual situations - but never really gets to the why. If humans have truly evolved to value monogamy in their religion, why still paint it condescendingly?

Don't waste your time.

[Elisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is quite interesting. It explores the surprising similarities between the way the brain functions with relation to religion and sex. With quotes from Freud, the Bible and even Star Wars, the author has an approachable and direct style. The part dealing with religion includes not only the big ones, but also smaller belief systems that were unknown to me. Even some tenets of other religions that are not my own were surprising and fun to learn. At times the writing was a little dry for me, but in general it was illuminating. Coming from a Catholic background, the author put into context a few of the things I learned from my Grandma or the nuns at my school. For people who enjoy reading about the human body.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Turner Publishing Company.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

His book about God & brain featured lot# of discussion about brain scans during stimulation. This one only has very limited scan information coming from stimulation via orgasmic meditation. Lot# of discussion perhaps verging into speculation about neurotheology a relatively new conversation in academia. Not sure he has made the case that spirituality and sexuality ar3 linked because sexuality came first in evolutionary hit.

[Emily Wilcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a lot more about the intersection of spirituality and sexuality when I was religious, so it was interesting revisiting it from a new perspective. I’ve been have a douche renaissance in my life and I think I love it? TBD

[Savannah Shepherd · Rating 3 out of 5]

First book intentionally read for a fun little research project I am working on… it’s gonna be a doozy.

This had some interesting data, I just fundamentally disagree with the author’s worldview, but that’s not his problem.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes a convincing case for overlaps of sex and religion in the brain. I was particularly interested in the research on OM which shows OM to be more neurologically similar to meditation and prayer than sexual arousal.

[Nathan Hoyt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be an interesting read and covered the topic well. It gave me many things to think about, and another author to follow to see what other insights they have.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come...

[Erin Henze · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF - at first was interesting but for real weird real fast