Marx claimed religion is the opium of the people. Science suggests he was right (sort of)

A new study has shown that collective worship releases naturally-occurring opioids in the brain, strengthening our sense of belonging and increasing our ability to endure pain. Tony Wilson explains more

Karl Marx famously described religion as “the opium of the people.” He meant that religion comforted people in difficult circumstances, much like a drug eases pain, but also distracted them from confronting the real causes of their suffering.

Interestingly, modern scientific research suggests that Marx may have been partly right, though perhaps not in the way he intended.

An international team of researchers from universities including Cambridge and King’s College London studied people from 24 worshipping communities, most of them mainstream Christian churches. They found evidence, published last week by the Royal Society, that taking part in religious services is associated with the release of naturally occurring opioids in the brain - the same family of chemicals involved in pain relief and feelings of wellbeing.