I "blatantly make"statements which I believe in.
That's just fine, NetDoc. Do you want me to find you sites with more "backing", because I can do that. Are you sure this is an issue of "backing" and not something else? I am afraid that no matter what site I post, you will continue to deny the scientific evidence in favor of what you want to believe, however, if you desire more sites, I have them on hand.
As for what Victor and Sunstone are talking about, it is quite true that certain exterior factors can influence the complex workings of the brain. Things like early childhood abuse, for instance, can lead to a lifelong battle with depression that that person would not have had to deal with otherwise. These external variables, by definition, are still basically objective though. At the very least, they cannot be considered supernatural or spiritual.