Thank you to the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I mostly enjoyed this novel. This has been a major topic of interest throughout my life and Andrew Newberg has done the research. I found it interesting with some surprising connections I didn't know about between the brain, body, religion and pleasure. The writing, personally was not my favorite but the information was easy to understand. Overall, for those who are interested in the topic, this is a good intro book and the author is clearly knowledgeable and passionate about the topic.

I'm not sure how much of this I believe. So much still to be researched and to have confirmed with more research. Take it for what you will.

"Sex, God, and the Brain" by Andrew Newberg is a fascinating dive into how our brains interact with our spiritual and sexual lives. Newberg combines neuroscience with psychology to explore the connection between our physical brain functions and our deepest beliefs and desires. The book is insightful and thought-provoking, making complex ideas accessible without getting too bogged down in jargon. I found it both enlightening and engaging, offering a unique perspective on how our minds shape and are shaped by our experiences. Definitely worth a read if you're curious about the intersection of science and spirituality.

For the modern world, it seems as if sexuality and spirituality have always been at odds. But what if the two are actually deeply connected? And what if science could prove this connection?

From neuroscientist Andrew Newberg, Sex, God, and the Brain argues that our religious and spiritual experiences derive directly from our sexual being. While others have speculated on a connection between religion and sex, Newberg is the first to demonstrate—with groundbreaking brain scan research gained through Orgasmic Meditation studies—that the underlying biological mechanism of religious, spiritual, and sexual experiences are identical.

With research technical enough for academics, but explained simply enough for the everyday reader, Sex, God, and the Brain, will reframe our understanding of the link between spirituality and sexuality.

My Take:
Considering the diverse perspectives on sex and sexuality—who is allowed to express it, when, and with whom—these topics are now openly debated rather than being considered inappropriate for polite conversation. This book provides literature and research to expand the discussion on sexuality and its role within Christianity and other contexts. Add this to your libraries and syllabi to broaden these discussions.

"Sex, God, and the Brain" by Andrew Newberg is a fascinating exploration of the profound connections between sexuality and spirituality. With rigorous scientific precision and engaging storytelling, Newberg takes readers on a journey through the neurological underpinnings that link our most primal desires to our highest spiritual aspirations. The book delves into how sexual pleasure and religious experience share common pathways in the brain, offering groundbreaking insights into human nature. Newberg's approachable and well-researched narrative makes complex topics both accessible and intriguing. Through vivid examples and cutting-edge research, he challenges conventional thinking and opens up new avenues for understanding the human experience. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersections of neuroscience, religion, and sexuality. It not only illuminates the ways these elements intertwine but also provides a deeper appreciation of how they shape our lives. "Sex, God, and the Brain" is a remarkable blend of science and spirituality, offering readers a rich and rewarding reading experience.

This book is quite interesting. It explores the surprising similarities between the way the brain functions with relation to religion and sex. With quotes from Freud, the Bible and even Star Wars, the author has an approachable and direct style. The part dealing with religion includes not only the big ones, but also smaller belief systems that were unknown to me. Even some tenets of other religions that are not my own were surprising and fun to learn. At times the writing was a little dry for me, but in general it was illuminating. Coming from a Catholic background, the author put into context a few of the things I learned from my Grandma or the nuns at my school. For people who enjoy reading about the human body.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Turner Publishing Company.

I was very interested in this topic as I was raised in a deeply conservative family where sex was considered extremely verboten. I would have loved to have had this book back then, toss it on the dinner table! What an interesting concept, that sex and god are actually indistinguishable when measured methodically in the human brain. I really enjoyed this eye-opening book and am grateful for the ARC.