Religion can damage your brain.

I spent most of a year almost completely numb. I felt nothing. No joy, no anger, just nothing. Numbness. The worst part of the day was waking up. 

I thought this was a me problem.

But here's the truth:

High-control religion changes your brain chemistry.

And yes, even the structures of your brain. 

Here's ten questions to ask yourself to see if high-control religion may have impacted your brain.

Answer honestly — yes, no, or sometimes.

1.)Do you often feel on edge, tense, or hyper-aware of what others think of you, even in safe situations?

2.) Do you struggle to make decisions or trust yourself, feeling like you might “get it wrong” no matter what you choose?

3.) When you go against rules or expectations — even ones you no longer believe in — do you feel guilt, shame, or even physical discomfort in your body?

4.) Do you find it hard to notice what your body needs — like when you’re hungry, tired, in pain, or needing rest — or feel disconnected from those signals?

5.) Do you often replay conversations, mistakes, or moral “failures” in your mind, as though you’re being judged or monitored?

6.) Do you notice tightness, nausea, a racing heart, or other physical symptoms when you think about breaking rules or questioning authority?

7.) Do you feel foggy, indecisive, or unable to clearly articulate what you really want or believe?

8.) Do you find yourself apologizing often or feeling inherently “bad” even when you haven’t done anything wrong?

9.) Do you feel numb or cut off from pleasure, joy, or even emotional pain — like your body and feelings aren’t fully “yours”?

10.) Do you avoid slowing down or being still because your mind fills with anxious thoughts, intrusive memories, or self-criticism?