What Does Art Do to the Brain?

Have you ever wondered how art therapy can be so effective in transforming lives? How does engaging in creative activities like drawing, painting, or sculpting translate into real, measurable changes in the brain? Art therapy is much more than just an enjoyable pastime; it’s a powerful therapeutic tool that has profound effects on the brain’s functioning. But how exactly does it work? In this blog, we’ll explore how art therapy affects the brain, using straightforward language to explain the science behind it.

1. Art Therapy Activates the Brain’s Reward System

When you create art, your brain releases dopamine, a chemical that makes you feel good. This is the same chemical that’s released when you do something you enjoy, like eating your favourite food or winning a game. In art therapy, this dopamine release can boost your mood and motivate you to keep going, which is especially helpful if you’re feeling down or anxious. Research shows that engaging in creative activities can significantly reduce stress and improve well-being by activating this reward system (Kaimal, Ray, & Muniz, 2016).

2. Art Therapy Helps Process Emotions

Our brains have a special part called the limbic system, which controls our emotions and memories. Sometimes, it’s hard to talk about how we feel, especially when those feelings are very intense or confusing. This is where art therapy comes in. When you create art, you can express emotions without using words. This process helps the brain work through difficult feelings in a safe and controlled way (Hass-Cohen & Carr, 2008). By tapping into the limbic system, art therapy helps you understand and manage your emotions better.

3. Art Therapy Promotes Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to change and adapt. Think of it as the brain’s way of rewiring itself. When you engage in art therapy, your brain forms new connections and strengthens existing ones. This is especially important if you’re recovering from trauma or trying to change negative thought patterns. Art therapy encourages the brain to adapt in positive ways, helping you develop healthier ways of thinking and coping (Malchiodi, 2015).

4. Art Therapy Reduces Stress and Anxiety

Stress and anxiety can make the brain feel like it’s constantly on high alert, which is exhausting. Art therapy can help calm the brain by reducing levels of cortisol, a stress hormone. When you focus on creating art, your brain shifts from a state of stress to a state of relaxation. This happens because art-making activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body’s “rest and digest” response (Kaimal et al., 2016). As a result, you feel calmer and more centred.

5. Art Therapy Improves Cognitive Function

Creating art isn’t just good for your emotions—it’s good for your brain’s thinking skills too. Art therapy engages multiple parts of the brain, including areas responsible for memory, attention, and problem-solving. This engagement can help improve cognitive functions, making you better at tasks that require focus and creativity. Whether you’re dealing with cognitive decline or just want to keep your mind sharp, art therapy offers a way to boost brainpower in a fun and creative way (Lusebrink, 2004).

6. Art Therapy Facilitates Memory and Trauma Processing

Traumatic experiences can be stored in the brain in ways that make them difficult to access or understand. Art therapy helps by providing a safe space to explore and process these memories. Through the creative process, you can access parts of the brain that hold onto trauma, allowing you to work through these experiences and begin healing. This is especially important for people who struggle with traditional talk therapy, as art provides an alternative way to process and integrate traumatic memories (Van der Kolk, 2014).

Art therapy works in the brain by activating the reward system, helping to process emotions, promoting neuroplasticity, reducing stress and anxiety, improving cognitive function, and facilitating memory and trauma processing. By understanding how art therapy affects the brain, we can appreciate its power as a therapeutic tool. Whether you’re dealing with stress, emotional challenges, or cognitive difficulties, art therapy offers a creative and effective way to support your mental health.

If you would like to experience this powerful therapeutic approach for yourself, we invite you to book a free consultation. During this initial session, we will discuss your needs and provide professional guidance to help you embark on your journey toward better mental health. Contact us today (book here ), and let’s explore how art therapy can transform your life.

With warmth and creativity,

Stella

Ripples Art Therapy

References:

• Hass-Cohen, N., & Carr, R. (2008). Art therapy and clinical neuroscience. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
• Kaimal, G., Ray, K., & Muniz, J. (2016). Reduction of Cortisol Levels and Participants’ Responses Following Art Making. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 33(2), 74-80.
• Lusebrink, V. B. (2004). Art Therapy and the Brain: An Attempt to Understand the Underlying Processes of Art Expression in Therapy. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 21(3), 125-135.
• Malchiodi, C. A. (2015). Creative interventions with traumatized children (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.
• Van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Viking.