Laura Prepon claims Scientology has made her more relaxed.

The 'Orange Is The New Black' actress joined the controversial religion in 1999 and found their auditing sessions - a type of therapy that allows the 'thetan', or spirit, to ''use its mind as a control system between itself and the physical universe'' - have helped her gain control of her emotions.

She said: ''The auditing has stripped away all of this charge, false ideas, decisions and mis-emotions that were affecting me. I recently had one of my biggest cognitions in a New Era Dianetics session.

''I spotted this decision I made a long time ago that was affecting me to this day. It was a huge realisation...When you really cognate that you are a thetan and you have a mind and body, and that the MEST [mind, energy, space, time] universe does not control you - it puts things into perspective. It takes the weight off you and things become very easy.

''Things don't bother me that had before. I remember I was doing a show with an amazing actor, and we were waiting to hear the fate of our show. He turned to me one day and asked, 'How are you always so relaxed? Nothing seems to bother you. I want to know what you are doing...' I take that as such a compliment and testament to the auditing I have done.''

The 35-year-old actress connected with the values of Scientology straight away.

Speaking to the church's own magazine, Celebrity, she said: ''When I first got into Scientology, I did Personal Values and Integrity and then Overcoming Ups and Downs in Life.

''These courses touched on the observations I was aware of when I was younger. It was right there in black and white. It was amazing, and I felt that finally something was speaking my language. It totally connected with me.

''Pretty soon after that I got onto the Purification Rundown, and I started moving up the Bridge.''