Did you know that Art Enhances Brain Function and Well-Being?
With so much talk about the evidence of the positive effects of yoga and meditation, you might be surprised at what scientific research also says about how ART affects the brain.
Long before modern neuroscience, artists were creating works to inspire people, and today complex brain imaging scans can show us just how art changes the physiology of our brains. Contemplation, observing, and taking in the beauty all stimulate pleasure centers within the brain while increasing blood flow by up to 10% in the medial orbitofrontal cortex. This can lead to an elevated state of consciousness, wellbeing, and better emotional health!!!
What Happens To Your Brain When You Make Art??
*** Making art helps you imagine a more hopeful future
Art's ability to flex our imaginations may be one of the reasons why we've been making art since we were cave-dwellers.
Our brain is a predictive machine that uses information to make predictions about what we might do next — and more importantly what we need to do next to survive and thrive.
When you make art, you're making a series of decisions like what kind of drawing utensil to use, what color, how to translate what you're seeing onto the paper. And ultimately, interpreting the images and figuring out what it means.
*** Art Changes Consciousness
It activates the reward center of our brain.
For a lot of people, making art can be nerve-wracking. What are you going to make? What kind of materials should you use? What if you can't execute it? What if it isn’t any good?
Studies show that despite those fears, "engaging in any sort of visual expression results in the reward pathway in the brain being activated...Which means that you feel good and it's perceived as a pleasurable experience."
A study on the subject measured blood flow to the brain's reward center (the medial prefrontal cortex) in 26 participants as they completed three art activities:
1.Coloring a Mandal.
2.Doodling
3.Drawing freely on a blank sheet of paper.
***And indeed, the researchers found an increase in blood flow to this part of the brain when the participants were making art!
This research suggests making art may have benefits for people dealing with health conditions that activate the reward pathways in the brain, like addictive behaviors, eating disorders, or mood disorders.
*** Making art lets you focus deeply
Ultimately, making art should induce what the scientific community calls "flow" — the wonderful thing that happens when you're in the zone. It's that sense of losing yourself, losing all awareness. You're so in the moment and fully present that you forget all sense of time and space.
What's happening in your brain when you're in a flow state?
It activates several networks including a “Relaxed reflective state” (*focused attention to task and sense of pleasure).
This flow is characterized by increased theta wave activity in the frontal areas of the brain — and moderate alpha wave activities in the frontal and central areas.
*** Making art lowers stress.
Although research in the field of art therapy is continuously emerging, there's evidence that making art can lower stress and anxiety. In a 2016 paper in the Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, a group of researchers measured cortisol levels of 39 healthy adults. (*Cortisol is a hormone that helps the body respond to stress).
They found that 45 minutes of creating art in a studio setting with an art therapist significantly lowered cortisol levels.
The research also showed that there were no differences in health outcomes between people who identify as experienced artists and people who don't. So that means that no matter your skill level, you'll be able to feel all the good things that come with making art.
JOIN US!
Stop in the studio for a painting and wine class (*remember that wine is also known to help lower stress!), OR paint from anywhere with our virtual classes!
We’re all about fun, creativity, spending time with loved ones, and relaxation! It’s impossible to list the number of people who have told us how relaxing it is to take a painting class with us. Customers talk about how they entered the studio stressed from their long day, but a few hours later, they leave the studio with a smile on their face and a masterpiece in their hand!
Painting from the comfort of your own home is another great way to spend time (alone or with friends or family), and lower stress, too! Not everyone is ready to get back out into a public place with a group of people, and are looking for ways to spend time at home. Or perhaps you’re VERY busy and can’t commit to a day and time for an in-studio class but want to paint something you see on the calendar…
Any way you want to utilize our painting and wine classes, we’ve got you covered and you’re sure to have a great time, unwind with friends, and make something you’re proud of!
Your brain will thank you <3
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FAQs
Ultimately, making art should induce what the scientific community calls "flow" — the wonderful thing that happens when you're in the zone. It's that sense of losing yourself, losing all awareness. You're so in the moment and fully present that you forget all sense of time and space.
How does creating art affect the brain? ›
Art's influence on the brain extends beyond mere pleasure; it impacts our emotions, cognitive abilities, and even our mental health. Whether we're creating or appreciating it, art allows us to explore our thoughts, express our feelings, and connect with the world in meaningful ways.
Does creating art release dopamine? ›
Neurotransmitter of Art — Dopamine
One neurotransmitter that has been implicated in art is dopamine. Dopamine is involved in reward processing and motivation, and studies have shown that dopamine levels increase when people engage in creative activities, such as drawing or painting.
What happens in your brain when you see art? ›
We are drawn to experiencing art, because doing so lights up the pleasure centers of our brains, creating a warm feeling that encourages us to want more of the same—much the way our brains respond to fulfilling basic needs, like food and sex.
What does painting do to the brain? ›
Painting boosts memory recollection skills and works to sharpen the mind through conceptual visualization and implementation. People who frequently use creative outlets such as writing, painting, and drawing have less chance of developing memory loss illnesses, like dementia and Alzheimer's, as they age.
How does making art affect mental health? ›
It can help to boost confidence and make us feel more engaged and resilient. Besides these benefits, art engagement also alleviates anxiety, depression and stress.
What does creativity do to the brain? ›
Studies have shown that engaging in creative activities stimulates the brain, increasing neuroplasticity and boosting cognitive function. This can lead to improved memory, increased problem-solving skills, and greater creativity.
What chemicals are released when you draw? ›
IT MAKES YOU HAPPY: When you draw, you release Serotonin, Endorphins, Dopamine, and Norepinephrine. You don't have to be a famous artist to draw and doodle. Drawing also has calming effects, so if you're stressed out, you may try to pick up a pencil.
Is making art good for you? ›
Reduce stress and anxiety
Creative art intervention helps promote short-term well-being which reduces stress, anxiety and increases positive emotions. Overall, engaging in the creative process can help us tap into a meditative state and lower our stress levels, which is a positive outcome.
What hobby induces dopamine? ›
Consider taking up a quest-oriented hobby such as geocaching, genealogy, bird watching, and collecting of all kinds. Keeping up dopamine levels is easier when there's always something new to be discovered. Each new discovery provides a dopamine boost!
Drawing is an act of mediation and promotes mindfulness
Taking the time to focus on a sketch allows you to be more mindful of the world around you. Centering yourself and setting aside time with a pencil or paintbrush in hand can help you find a sense of balance in your day to day.
What is an artists brain like? ›
“Artists have structurally different brains compared with non-artists. “Brain scans revealed that artists had increased neural matter in areas relating to fine motor movements and visual imagery. “The research, published in NeuroImage, suggests that an artist's talent could be innate.
Why do some people like art so much? ›
Art Is Transformative
That cathartic effect from dopamine can also be inspiring and empathy-producing. Art can create cognitive shifts by challenging our perceptions to better understand our place in the world. Art therapy helps many process trauma and cope with stress.
How does art rewire the brain? ›
Art accesses many of the advanced processes of the human brain, such as intuitive analysis, expressivity, and embodied cognition. Artists are often better observers and have better memory, and this may be due to how art affects the brain's plasticity.
Is art good for your brain? ›
“Art can create new neuropathways in the brain because this happens through sensorial experience. With high visual stimulation, if we see a lot of art or make a lot of art, we are growing — dramatically — parts of our brain,” she added.
Can paint cause neurological problems? ›
Heavy solvent exposure is associated with a number of adverse effects including mild cognitive impairment, hearing loss, and sub‐clinical colour vision deficits.
What are the benefits of creating art? ›
Creating art enhances how the two hemispheres of your brain work together and help produce new neural pathways and stronger dendrites that allow you to think more efficiently. This can increase your resilience to age-related cognitive decline and help you better cope with the normal aging process.
Is art and craft good for your brain? ›
Arts and crafts play a role in controlling stress and enhancing relaxation. They also enable us to fail safely and handle our emotions. Furthermore, they facilitate social activity for many individuals who are at risk of social isolation.
What is the effect of producing art on a child's brain? ›
The children's open-ended play with art stimulates their senses and helps them develop their cognitive, social-emotional, and multisensory abilities. Their brain development, mastery, self-esteem, and creativity are all further enhanced by art as they grow from elementary school to high school and beyond.
How does art affect cognitive development? ›
Art's role in cognitive and sensory development
They're understanding space, perspective, and dimension—crucial skills that aid in activities like reading maps or solving math problems. Boosting memory and recall abilities: Remembering the color patterns or replicating a drawing sharpens a child's memory.
