Ignatian retreats appear to cause "significant changes" in the brain, according to scientists in the United States.
Researchers at the Marcus Institute of Integrative Health at Thomas Jefferson University studied the brain responses of pilgrims on an Ignatian retreat and published their results in Religion, Brain and Behaviour.
Dr Andrew Newberg, director of research at the institute, said: "Since serotonin and dopamine are part of the reward and emotional systems of the brain, it helps us understand why these practices result in powerful, positive emotional experiences.
