I have often wondered why humans need religion. After my HIV diagnosis, I found myself moving away from traditional beliefs and leaning more toward science. Science gave me the tools to survive and the data to understand my body. But I also realized that the human brain seems to have a built-in need for something “more,” whether it is meditation or a belief in a higher power, just to find internal peace.

When we believe in a God, we find a sense of calmness. I wanted to understand what science says about this. Why does a person who was once very religious suddenly stop believing after a big incident, or why does someone who never cared about religion suddenly join a cult?

Neuroscience tells us that our brains are actually wired to look for patterns and “agents.” In the past, this helped us survive. If a bush moved, our ancestors assumed it was a predator, not just the wind. This same part of the brain makes us look for a “plan” behind everything that happens in our lives.

When we pray or meditate, our brain releases chemicals like Dopamine and Oxytocin. These are the “feel-good” chemicals. They lower our stress and make us feel safe. For someone like me who lives with PTSD, the search for safety is constant. Sometimes science gives me that safety through medicine, and sometimes others find it through a new religious leader who promises them a “Just State.”

Our minds are not static. A major trauma or a life-changing diagnosis can shift how we see the world. For some, science is the only logical answer. For others, the fear of the unknown is so great that they join new movements to feel part of a community.

I have realized that religion is often a coping mechanism for the brain to handle the chaos of life. Whether we choose a lab or a temple, we are all just trying to quiet the noise in our heads and find a way to live without fear.