Your Brain on Art

At a neurochemical level, the act of drawing has been shown to release serotonin and endorphins that foster a more generous, open frame of mind. Specific studies into the neural effects of visual art production and mood have shown that drawing, by changing brain-wave activity and increasing blood flow to the frontal regions

People who engage in the arts every few months, such as going to the theatre or to a museum, have a 31 percent lower risk of dying early when compared with those who don’t.

Studies have found that coloring can have a similar physiological response in the brain as the act of meditating by reducing outside noise and allowing for focus.

Over the last two decades, there have been thousands of studies with outcomes illuminating the reasons diverse arts practices, both as the maker and as a beholder, improve our psychological state.

“A big part of what happens when you interact with a piece of artwork, or when you find something aesthetically pleasing, is that there is an aha! moment where you feel like you’ve seen the world in a new way,” Ed explains. “Or, as a maker of art, you’ve been able to look at a problem in a new way because art has enabled you to express things that