The Power of Art: How Art Therapy Promotes Better Brain Health

Last time we spoke about how the brain responds to creating and viewing art. We learned about the complex cognitive processes involved in engaging with the creative process, and touched on how it can promote better emotional well-being. Today, we’re going to dive deeper into how art as therapy can have a profound impact on the brain and on individuals facing a range of mental and emotional challenges.  

Therapeutic self-expression

At the core of art therapy is the ability to openly express internal feelings in a visual way. The safe space that this creates allows individuals to explore a whole range of deep inner feelings on wide-ranging topics, from values to emotions, conflicts, aspirations, and identities. This provides an excellent foundation for self-discovery and personal growth, often creating a sense of autonomy and agency that helps people regain a feeling of control and perspective in their lives. Ultimately, over time, engaging in art therapy can help to heal emotional wounds and encourage a sense of belonging. 

Healing through creating

Since art is a non-verbal form of expression, it provides a fantastic outlet for those who struggle to articulate their thoughts through words. The universal language of art helps individuals connect to their therapist and the outside world. 

The creative process itself is inherently therapeutic and has been shown to activate the brain’s reward pathways, promoting the release of feel-good neurotransmitters such as endorphins and dopamine. This can not only enhance mood in the short term, but also equips people with long-term coping skills and fosters a greater resilience.

Engaging in art therapy has also been shown to reduce stress levels, allowing for a visceral emotional release and aiding in the process of relaxation, which is helpful for those suffering from anxiety and even depression. 

Brain-boosting artistic processes

The field of neuroaesthetics scientifically explores the brain’s response to art. Research shows that art and art therapy stimulate various brain regions involved in our general cognition, sensory perception, and emotional regulation, and this can lead to healthy neuroplastic changes in the brain. Interestingly, different types of art have different effects. For example, painting and drawing stimulate the visual cortex, while pottery and sculpting activate the sensorimotor parts of the brain. 

On top of this, the artistic processes strengthen existing neural connections and encourage communication between the hemispheres of the brain. This helps to build problem-solving skills and promotes integrative thinking. 

Over time in art therapy, mastering new techniques and the learning process is incredibly beneficial for brain health. Not only does it enhance cognitive function and memory, but it also offers neuroprotective benefits against general age-related decline, as well as a variety of neurogenerative diseases, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.