Ample evidence connects dreams with spiritual and religious experiences, yet dreams remain understudied as a source of supernatural agent concepts. Stories about life-changing dreams appear frequently in religious literature and oral tradition. Many people throughout history claim to have encountered supernatural agents in dreams,…
On this project, CMAC investigates the effect of Parkinson’s Disease on cognition and emotion. The project uses advances in functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging (fcMRI) techniques, new psychophysical cognitive priming techniques, and classical “on-off” levodopa (LD) comparative techniques to identify brain system alterations…
Founding Director Patrick McNamara Sacred Spaces Volume 7 2015 Abstract: The neuroscience literature supports the idea that spiritual transformation is a powerful behavioral and cognitive change process involving fundamental alterations in the sense of self. Brain regions that are known to mediate the…
At CMAC, our research focuses on the mind-culture nexus. A significant part of that research involves studying religion and its role within that nexus, but there are many ways to study religion. What does it mean to engage in the scientific…
We recently interviewed CMAC alum Jenn Lindsay about her career as a filmmaker and the role that her work with CMAC and IBSCSR played into launching her into her current work. Check out the crowdfunding campaign for her upcoming film…
The Institute for the Biocultural Study of Religion is the branch of the Center for Mind and Culture that conducts non-partisan research focused on the scientific study of religion, combining: What is the bio-cultural study of religion? It is a way of…
Around the world and throughout history, people have expressed belief in the existence of powerful, invisible entities who — much like us — have intentions, needs, and goals. Whether gods, demons, ghosts, or ancestor spirits, these “supernatural agents” cannot be…
Researching the mind cultures data science religion social systems ideology human behavior technology equity philosophy anthropology cognitive psychology public health can unlock creative solutions to complex problems. CMAC is a non-profit organization in Boston, Massachusetts dedicated to non-partisan research. Our network of expert researchers tackles complex…
Designing cutting-edge technology to understand human cognition We’ve all experienced it. A terrifying monster is chasing you. You try to run but your legs won’t work. It’s as if you’re trudging through a thick swamp. You can’t escape. Fear and…
In addition to conducting research, we need to communicate it. Project-specific communication, in the form of blog posts, newsletters, and social media can advance understanding, inform future donors, and enact change. By sharing CMAC’s research methods, project goals, and specific…