Andrew Newberg is a pioneering American neuroscientist best known for founding the field of neurotheology — the scientific study of the relationship between brain function and religious, spiritual, and mystical experiences. As a professor in the Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences and Director of Research at the Marcus Institute of Integrative Health at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Newberg has spent decades exploring what happens in the human brain during prayer, meditation, and moments of profound spiritual experience.
Through groundbreaking neuroimaging research, Newberg has demonstrated that spiritual practices produce measurable, positive changes in brain structure and function. His studies on meditating monks and praying nuns revealed distinct patterns of brain activity during transcendent states, suggesting that the human brain is, in a very real sense, wired for spiritual experience. His landmark books — including Why God Won't Go Away and How God Changes Your Brain — have brought these discoveries to a wide popular audience, challenging both strict materialists and religious fundamentalists to reconsider the nature of belief, consciousness, and human transformation.
Newberg's work with Nightingale-Conant reflects his commitment to making the neuroscience of spirituality accessible and applicable to everyday life. His programs offer listeners a scientifically grounded path to harnessing the power of spiritual practice — not as a matter of faith alone, but as a practical toolkit for improving mental health, emotional resilience, and overall well-being. Whether you are religious, spiritual but not religious, or simply curious about the mysteries of the mind, Andrew Newberg's research offers profound insights into what makes us human.
