Podcast Summary: "Scientific Benefits of Practicing Any Religion & What It’s Like to Live in Space"

Episode Information

• Title: Scientific Benefits of Practicing Any Religion & What It’s Like to Live in Space – SYSK Choice
• Host: Mike Carruthers
• Guest 1: David Desteno, Author of How God: The Science behind the Benefits of Religion and Host of the How God Works podcast
• Guest 2: Dave Williams, Astronaut, Author of Why Am I Taller? What Happens to an Astronaut's Body in Space?, and Former Director of Space and Life Sciences at NASA's Johnson Space Center
• Release Date: December 7, 2024

Part 1: The Scientific Benefits of Practicing Any Religion

Understanding the Health Benefits of Religion

Mike Carruthers opens the discussion by exploring the scientific data that suggests religious engagement leads to longer, healthier, and happier lives. He emphasizes that it's not merely belief but active participation in spiritual practices that yields these benefits.

Key Insights from David Desteno

David Desteno elaborates on the distinction between mere belief and active participation. He states:

“[...] people who engage with the spiritual practices of their religion tend to live longer, healthier, and happier lives.”

(06:29)

The Role of Rituals in Enhancing Well-Being

Carruthers delves into how religious rituals—such as prayer, meditation, and communal gatherings—physiologically and psychologically benefit individuals. He shares an experiment from his lab demonstrating that synchronized activities among strangers increase feelings of connection and empathy.

“The simple act of moving in synchrony made people feel not only more connected to one another but also more willing to help each other.”
(07:44)

Can Rituals Provide Benefits Without Belief?

Desteno addresses whether the benefits of religious practices can be achieved without the accompanying belief in a higher power. He suggests that while some benefits can be extracted from the rituals themselves, belief amplifies these positive effects.

“There is some benefit that can come without belief, but in some areas, belief certainly does matter.”
(12:36)

Why Do People Join or Leave Religions?

The conversation shifts to the sociological trends influencing religious affiliation. Desteno notes a decline in traditional religious memberships, attributing it to institutional failings and a search for more personalized spiritual experiences.

“Most of the people who are leaving religion aren't becoming atheists. They are checking the box that is spiritual but not religious.”
(14:11)

Comparing Religions: Are Some More Beneficial Than Others?

While acknowledging that different religions have unique rituals tailored to specific life challenges, Desteno points out that scientifically, no single religion has been empirically proven to offer more benefits than others. The effectiveness often depends on the individual's engagement with the practices.

“Different religions do have better approaches that we can quantify scientifically, and that work is just starting.”
(25:41)

Faith vs. Practice: What Drives the Benefits?

Desteno emphasizes that both faith and the active practice of religious rituals contribute to the observed benefits. However, the act of practicing—engaging in daily rituals and communal activities—plays a significant role in enhancing well-being.

“There's the faith, but there's also the doing of religion.”
(27:18)

Notable Quotes:

• “Religion can cause people to take better care of themselves, etc., but the mechanisms by which it's going to do that are going to be many.”
  (22:35)

• “Even the most strident atheists... attend church because... brings them a feeling of solace.”
  (23:05)

Part 2: What It’s Like to Live in Space

Introducing Astronaut Dave Williams

Mike Carruthers transitions to the second segment by introducing Dave Williams, an experienced astronaut who has spent considerable time aboard the International Space Station. Williams shares insights from his missions and his book, Why Am I Taller? What Happens to an Astronaut's Body in Space?

Physical Challenges of Living in Space

Williams discusses the immediate effects of microgravity on the human body, such as spinal elongation leading to increased height and muscle atrophy due to the lack of gravitational resistance.

“Without gravity, your spine essentially elongates. It stretches out a little bit and the normal curve you have in your back on Earth disappears when you're in space.”
(37:43)

Mental and Psychological Adaptation

Living in space isn't just a physical challenge. Williams describes the psychological transformation astronauts undergo, highlighting the profound change in perspective when viewing Earth from orbit.

“You realize... we live on a pretty small planet. You might even call it the global village. It’s quite clear we're all in this together.”
(35:33)

Daily Life and Routines

Williams provides a glimpse into the structured daily life aboard the space station, emphasizing the importance of maintaining routines that mimic Earth-based schedules to ensure proper sleep and productivity.

“Despite seeing a sunrise and sunset every 45 minutes, we have a designated eight-hour sleep period.”
(36:35)

Diet in Space

Eating in space presents unique challenges. Williams explains how traditional methods of seasoning food don't work, leading astronauts to adapt by using saltwater sprays and spicy sauces to enhance flavor.

“You can't shake salt onto your food in space because if you did, the salt would just float around in the air.”
(40:35)

Long-Term Health Impacts and Reversibility

A significant concern is the long-term health effects of space travel. Williams notes that while muscles weaken and bones lose density in space, these effects plateau over time and are largely reversible upon returning to Earth.

“It’s reversible aging, which returns to normal when we get back to Earth.”
(38:42)

Future of Space Travel

Looking ahead, Williams discusses upcoming missions aimed at establishing lunar habitats as stepping stones to Mars, addressing challenges like radiation exposure and the social dynamics of long-duration spaceflights.

“Missions will get us ready to go to Mars probably sometime in the next 20 to 30 years.”
(34:17)

Notable Quotes:

• “Zero G flashback... I can imagine... floating around the middle of my room here.”
  (48:56)

• “Attention to wellness... helping me out during the pandemic.”
  (45:11)

Conclusion

In this episode of Something You Should Know, Mike Carruthers masterfully navigates two vastly different yet equally fascinating topics: the scientifically backed benefits of religious practices and the intricate realities of living in space. Through engaging conversations with experts David Desteno and Dave Williams, listeners gain a deeper understanding of how ancient rituals can enhance modern well-being and what humanity can expect as we venture further into the final frontier.

Notable Additional Quotes:

• “Have these practices... help us in many ways meet life's challenges.”
  (07:44)

• “Even people who practice faith... have times they doubt their faith.”
  (23:05)

For those interested in exploring these topics further, links to David Desteno’s book and podcast, as well as Dave Williams’s publications, are available in the show notes.