Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 31, 2026

Author Spotlight: Exploring Dynamic Neural Changes Associated with Religious Chanting
Published on: May 31, 2024
Neuropeptide Y and religious commitment in healthy young women
Mathilde T Tønnesen1, Alessandro Miani1, Anders Sune Pedersen1
1Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
Objective:
The present study explores the relationship between neuroactive hormones and religious commitment. We hypothesised that religious commitment is mediated by neuropeptide Y and oxytocin. These neurohormones have a well-established role in general well-being, anxiety regulation, stress-resilience, social affiliation and spirituality.
Methods:
Sixty healthy women (median age 21) participated in the study and completed the Religious Commitment Inventory and other psychometric surveys. Blood was sampled from each participant and serum levels of neuropeptide Y were measured using radioimmunoassay. Oxytocin, stress and sex hormones were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Correlations were tested using non-parametric statistical methods.
Results:
We found a positive correlation between serum neuropeptide Y levels and religious commitment, but not between oxytocin and religious commitment.
Conclusions:
The present study provides preliminary evidence that neuropeptide Y is a biological correlate of religious commitment.
Related Concept Videos
Lineage Commitment
Bioavailability Study Design: Healthy Subjects Versus Patients
Longitudinal Research
The Representativeness Heuristic
Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love
Stereotype Threat and Self-fulfilling Prophecies

