New research proves human brain can recognise the 'reality of God'

New research has found that the ability of humans to believe and perceive that there is a God may have been pre-programmed in our brains.

The research, which is set to be aired on Feb. 21 in National Geographic as a roundtable discussion "Brain Games: The God Brain", found that the perception of God may be 'hardwired' in people's brains. This means that even without an outside factor telling a person that there is a God, they should at some point start to believe in a powerful or superior being.

"Psychologists and anthropologists deemed that children left to their own devices would have some conception of God," said Shaheen E. Lakhan in his blog, Brain Blogger.  Lakhan holds multiple doctorate degrees, including an M.D., and is the executive director of the Global Neuroscience Initiative Foundation.

Lakhan added that some experts connect this theory to a person's sense and ability to detect patterns in nature and the world, such as the ability to differentiate between a predator and a prey.

Meanwhile, other experts consider the ability as a 'supersense' which enables the person to cognitively acknowledge hidden forces in the world that are working for both good and ill.

Lakhan's conclusions add further weight to the theory of Andrew Newberg regarding "neurotheology" or the connection between someone's belief in God and the way their brain functions.

In order to determine a connection, Newberg conducted studies monitoring the brain processes of those who pray or meditate.

After praying or meditating for 12 minutes a day over eight weeks, those monitored for the study showed significant improvement in brain function.

"They had improvements of about 10 or 15 percent," said Newberg in his study, "The neuroscience study of spiritual practices."

 Newberg concluded that having faith in God or thinking about a supreme being would improve one's cognitive abilities.