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Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Save Lives
A ground-breaking exposé showing how the arts — alongside diet, sleep, exercise and nature — is the forgotten fifth pillar of health.
From cradle to grave, engaging in the arts has remarkable effects on our health and wellbeing. Songs support the architectural development of children’s brains. Creative hobbies help our brains to stay resilient against dementia. Visual art and music act just like drugs to reduce depression, stress, and pain, reducing our dependence on medication. Dancing and drumming affect neurotransmitters, hormones, cells, proteins, even the expression of our genes. Going to live music events, museums, exhibitions, and the theatre decreases our risk of future loneliness and frailty. Engaging in the arts improves the functioning of every major organ system in the body, even helping us to live longer.
This isn’t sensationalism, it’s the results of decades of studies gathering data from neuroimaging, molecular biomarkers, wearable sensors, cognitive assessments, and electronic health records.
From Professor Daisy Fancourt, an award-winning scientist and science communicator and Director of the World Health Organisation’s Collaborating Centre on Arts and Health, this book will fundamentally change the way you value and engage with arts in your daily life, and give you the tools to optimize how, when, and what arts you engage in to achieve your health goals.
The arts are not a luxury in our lives. They are essential.
From cradle to grave, engaging in the arts has remarkable effects on our health and wellbeing. Songs support the architectural development of children’s brains. Creative hobbies help our brains to stay resilient against dementia. Visual art and music act just like drugs to reduce depression, stress, and pain, reducing our dependence on medication. Dancing and drumming affect neurotransmitters, hormones, cells, proteins, even the expression of our genes. Going to live music events, museums, exhibitions, and the theatre decreases our risk of future loneliness and frailty. Engaging in the arts improves the functioning of every major organ system in the body, even helping us to live longer.
This isn’t sensationalism, it’s the results of decades of studies gathering data from neuroimaging, molecular biomarkers, wearable sensors, cognitive assessments, and electronic health records.
From Professor Daisy Fancourt, an award-winning scientist and science communicator and Director of the World Health Organisation’s Collaborating Centre on Arts and Health, this book will fundamentally change the way you value and engage with arts in your daily life, and give you the tools to optimize how, when, and what arts you engage in to achieve your health goals.
The arts are not a luxury in our lives. They are essential.
10 pages, Audiobook
Published February 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
February 17, 2026
This was a very fascinating read about the impact arts has on our lives to lead a healthier and happier existence. Daisy Fancourt dives into scientific research behind the arts as a 5th pillar of health alongside diet, exercise, sleep, and nature. The arts can be consumed in a variety of ways including music, dance, drawing, painting, poetry, museums, cooking, theater, etc. From the womb to the grave, the arts play an essential role in decreasing our depression, stress, pain, and dependence on drugs. Engaging in the arts improves functioning of every major organ system — this isn’t a trend, it’s science gathered from neuroimaging, molecular biomarkers, wearable sensors, cognitive assessments, and electronic health records. I’ve always valued the arts, and it was incredibly fascinating to learn about the “why” of the arts’ importance.
January 28, 2026
As a doctor myself, I wish that all healthcare professionals and policy makes would read this book and understand the incredible impact it would have if the findings were implemented as the norm.
If I suggested doing more art to many patients, I think they'd be surprised. I would love to work in a world where of course the arts would be part of healthcare.
Daisy's work is phenomenal - the world needs more researchers like her!
If I suggested doing more art to many patients, I think they'd be surprised. I would love to work in a world where of course the arts would be part of healthcare.
Daisy's work is phenomenal - the world needs more researchers like her!
February 25, 2026
This book was fine but it rlly cemented my belief that a lot of nonfiction books these days could just be long-form essays. I got the point from the first chapter and didn’t necessarily learn anything new after that. Also, the substance misuse section was a little too far-fetched
February 15, 2026
More academic than readable.
My star awarding system is
5-will read again with pleasure. Rare
4-very good read, very good effort
3- ok read, ok effort
2- author wrote a book and I read it
1- wasted my time, lazy effort
If I don’t leave a star review it means I don’t feel qualified to do so. I also didn’t star for a few years because it felt unfair, but in the absence of anything better I began starring again.
My star awarding system is
5-will read again with pleasure. Rare
4-very good read, very good effort
3- ok read, ok effort
2- author wrote a book and I read it
1- wasted my time, lazy effort
If I don’t leave a star review it means I don’t feel qualified to do so. I also didn’t star for a few years because it felt unfair, but in the absence of anything better I began starring again.
February 8, 2026
This book was interesting but not ground breaking if you are at all familiar with, or involved in, the arts. Many benefits discussed are already self-evident and/or self-explantory and known to general society. The definition of "health" is also expansive (including some indirect influences such as child language development and identity formation) and focuses a lot on the eldery, disabled/ill and developing children, with just a few paragraphs ending each chapter about what the general population can learn from this.
As an arts lover and academic, Fancourt is preaching to the choir with me as a reader and I was ready to learn. But I didn't particularly learn anything new. It was also frustrating that all of the arts (creation and consumption; music, dance, theatre, drawing etc.) were often all lumped together by outcome, and often the main focus was just music or traditional paint/drawing art. This made lots of sections feel repetitive. Sometimes I wish she'd explored the outcomes by the benefits of the specific forms of art (e.g. creation vs consumption; how reading helps; how writing helps).
For example, creative writing and dancing - or watching dancing on stage or tv- OBVIOUSLY all influence or brain and bodies in different ways, but these differences are not explored.
I am also surprised that for a world-leading academic that this wasn't written in the most accessible way. Excessive long dragged-on paragraphs that contained multiple ideas (clearly should've been separated out) make it difficult and boring to follow (and I'm an academic who writes and reads research papers!) By the end, it was a slog to read and I kept putting it off but I just wanted it done.
It was also thoroughly disappointing that at no point did Fancourt use any illustrations to make her points clearer - e.g. an illustration/diagram/drawing of art as 5th pillar, "daily dose" advice - and would tie in with the book but fundamentally make this information more translatable and accessible for the general public (which is the book's aim). Could've even included (or linked to) an blank table for the "daily doses" she encouraged people to write in every chapter. I felt particularly disappointed in the unimaginative and inaccessible execution from a leading academic. Especially as the content itself is much shorter than the book appears due to the extensive reference list (which is excellent and transparent to provide).
Anyway, support the arts, particularly your local arts venues and artists, create more art yourself, and get your daily dose. 🎨 🎭🪡🧶🌈
As an arts lover and academic, Fancourt is preaching to the choir with me as a reader and I was ready to learn. But I didn't particularly learn anything new. It was also frustrating that all of the arts (creation and consumption; music, dance, theatre, drawing etc.) were often all lumped together by outcome, and often the main focus was just music or traditional paint/drawing art. This made lots of sections feel repetitive. Sometimes I wish she'd explored the outcomes by the benefits of the specific forms of art (e.g. creation vs consumption; how reading helps; how writing helps).
For example, creative writing and dancing - or watching dancing on stage or tv- OBVIOUSLY all influence or brain and bodies in different ways, but these differences are not explored.
I am also surprised that for a world-leading academic that this wasn't written in the most accessible way. Excessive long dragged-on paragraphs that contained multiple ideas (clearly should've been separated out) make it difficult and boring to follow (and I'm an academic who writes and reads research papers!) By the end, it was a slog to read and I kept putting it off but I just wanted it done.
It was also thoroughly disappointing that at no point did Fancourt use any illustrations to make her points clearer - e.g. an illustration/diagram/drawing of art as 5th pillar, "daily dose" advice - and would tie in with the book but fundamentally make this information more translatable and accessible for the general public (which is the book's aim). Could've even included (or linked to) an blank table for the "daily doses" she encouraged people to write in every chapter. I felt particularly disappointed in the unimaginative and inaccessible execution from a leading academic. Especially as the content itself is much shorter than the book appears due to the extensive reference list (which is excellent and transparent to provide).
Anyway, support the arts, particularly your local arts venues and artists, create more art yourself, and get your daily dose. 🎨 🎭🪡🧶🌈
February 27, 2026
3.5 stars
This book is very heavy on the technical, which wasn't necessarily a surprise but I give it as a warning. It's a very good book and a very important book. I've always thought the arts should be considered as important as the sciences, for example. And Daisy has done a fair job at "dumbing down" the scientific explanations for the average reader, but I did find myself tuning out at times when there was a heavy section of stats, but that's felt very academic that weren't altogether ready friendly. I was going through a period of bad mental health at the time and so this book, particularly the section about arts and mental health, were of great interest. A highly interesting book, a good read. I'd definitely recommend, regardless of your creativity levels.
This book is very heavy on the technical, which wasn't necessarily a surprise but I give it as a warning. It's a very good book and a very important book. I've always thought the arts should be considered as important as the sciences, for example. And Daisy has done a fair job at "dumbing down" the scientific explanations for the average reader, but I did find myself tuning out at times when there was a heavy section of stats, but that's felt very academic that weren't altogether ready friendly. I was going through a period of bad mental health at the time and so this book, particularly the section about arts and mental health, were of great interest. A highly interesting book, a good read. I'd definitely recommend, regardless of your creativity levels.
Read
March 30, 2026This book felt like a warm affirmation of something I have always sensed but had not fully articulated: that art is not a luxury or an extracurricular, but a daily practice that can shape our well being in real, measurable ways. As someone who loves art and feels that familiar itch to create even when the results are messy or imperfect, I found myself nodding along to so much of what the author lays out. The actionable steps for weaving creativity into everyday life were especially grounding. They made the idea of living with art feel less like an aspiration and more like a habit anyone can cultivate.
At the same time, the book reminded me that even those of us who already value the arts sometimes underestimate their depth and reach. I realized, reading this, that my own respect for the arts has grown. I had always believed in their importance, but this book made me consider just how profoundly they shape our emotional and cognitive lives. For readers who have not spent much time thinking about art’s role or who see it as optional or ornamental, I imagine this book could be quietly transformative.
My only hesitation lies in the author’s strong stance against screen based art. Throughout the book, examples of meaningful, mindful digital creativity appear again and again, yet each one is followed by a warning as though the medium itself is suspect. The comparison to highly processed food felt too rigid for me. Yes, screen based art can be passive or numbing, but it can also be intentional, skillful, and deeply nourishing. I would have loved to see that nuance explored with the same generosity the book extends to other forms of art.
Still, this was a thoughtful, energizing read that left me wanting to make more, notice more, and treat art as something woven into the fabric of daily life rather than something reserved for special occasions.
At the same time, the book reminded me that even those of us who already value the arts sometimes underestimate their depth and reach. I realized, reading this, that my own respect for the arts has grown. I had always believed in their importance, but this book made me consider just how profoundly they shape our emotional and cognitive lives. For readers who have not spent much time thinking about art’s role or who see it as optional or ornamental, I imagine this book could be quietly transformative.
My only hesitation lies in the author’s strong stance against screen based art. Throughout the book, examples of meaningful, mindful digital creativity appear again and again, yet each one is followed by a warning as though the medium itself is suspect. The comparison to highly processed food felt too rigid for me. Yes, screen based art can be passive or numbing, but it can also be intentional, skillful, and deeply nourishing. I would have loved to see that nuance explored with the same generosity the book extends to other forms of art.
Still, this was a thoughtful, energizing read that left me wanting to make more, notice more, and treat art as something woven into the fabric of daily life rather than something reserved for special occasions.
April 10, 2026
The arts — everything from classical music to hip-hop, ballet to salsa, from galleries to graffiti, books to films — can be a pillar of health —> We should think about, select and design arts “ingredients” and reap the benefits of arts to our health!
Key Takeaways:
- Reduced risk of / improvement in symptoms of depression and anxiety; accelerated language development; reduced oversensitivity for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder; reduced risk of / recovery from dementia, cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s
—> How? 1) As soon as our brains recognise or anticipate or feel mastery regarding a pleasurable arts experience, we activate the amygdala, nucleus accumbens and striatum with dopamine and emotional regulation. 2) Exposure to arts enhances synapses (connections between neurons) and increases cognitive reserve / gray matter, which combats deteriorated brain functions from disease / injury / neuroplasticity.
- The arts provide distraction / relaxation from pain through endorphins and dopamine —> Carry implications on the use of opioid drugs
- Plays and musicals elicit neural coupling and activates our amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex, which facilities empathy and social learning and contributes to improvements in literacy, public health and social activism
- Singing, drumming, dancing or writing activates cytokines and white blood cells, which boost our immune systems and healing process.
Barriers to Access to the Arts
- Formal curriculum — Systemic “wipeout” of the arts for STEM subjects
- Career — Artists’ careers are financially risky and altered by the rise of streaming platforms / social media, where people focus on building their “brands” in a hyper competitive atmosphere
- Government — Funding for local arts has decreased in the US and in the UK
What should we do?
- Structure your arts engagement around times of stress to regulate emotions and change arousal levels, gain exposure to a wide variety of arts activities for different beneficiaries mechanisms,, savour and be fully present in your arts experiences
- Formalise the arts in schools and in global health programs
Key Takeaways:
- Reduced risk of / improvement in symptoms of depression and anxiety; accelerated language development; reduced oversensitivity for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder; reduced risk of / recovery from dementia, cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s
—> How? 1) As soon as our brains recognise or anticipate or feel mastery regarding a pleasurable arts experience, we activate the amygdala, nucleus accumbens and striatum with dopamine and emotional regulation. 2) Exposure to arts enhances synapses (connections between neurons) and increases cognitive reserve / gray matter, which combats deteriorated brain functions from disease / injury / neuroplasticity.
- The arts provide distraction / relaxation from pain through endorphins and dopamine —> Carry implications on the use of opioid drugs
- Plays and musicals elicit neural coupling and activates our amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex, which facilities empathy and social learning and contributes to improvements in literacy, public health and social activism
- Singing, drumming, dancing or writing activates cytokines and white blood cells, which boost our immune systems and healing process.
Barriers to Access to the Arts
- Formal curriculum — Systemic “wipeout” of the arts for STEM subjects
- Career — Artists’ careers are financially risky and altered by the rise of streaming platforms / social media, where people focus on building their “brands” in a hyper competitive atmosphere
- Government — Funding for local arts has decreased in the US and in the UK
What should we do?
- Structure your arts engagement around times of stress to regulate emotions and change arousal levels, gain exposure to a wide variety of arts activities for different beneficiaries mechanisms,, savour and be fully present in your arts experiences
- Formalise the arts in schools and in global health programs
Want to Read
April 14, 2026Here's the Short review from Nature's Five Best, 10 APR 2026:
"This illuminating book argues that art, “alongside diet, sleep, exercise and nature, is the forgotten fifth pillar of health”. It draws on Daisy Fancourt’s unique background as a pianist for a classical radio station before going on to run the performing-arts programme at a hospital, where she saw at first hand how creative activities support patients’ recovery. Those experiences led to a PhD in psychoneuroimmunology, with her research now providing evidence that engaging in the arts can support healthy functioning of key bodily systems."
"This illuminating book argues that art, “alongside diet, sleep, exercise and nature, is the forgotten fifth pillar of health”. It draws on Daisy Fancourt’s unique background as a pianist for a classical radio station before going on to run the performing-arts programme at a hospital, where she saw at first hand how creative activities support patients’ recovery. Those experiences led to a PhD in psychoneuroimmunology, with her research now providing evidence that engaging in the arts can support healthy functioning of key bodily systems."
November 19, 2025
This was a very fascinating book about how the arts are healing to us as humans. It was packed with information like scientific data, real examples of how people used art to heal, and it really got my creative juices flowing. My love of being crafty, painting, and creating makes more sense now and this book is immensely relatable for me. I am so motivated now to continue using the arts as a form of self care and healing for myself.
I received a review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received a review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 22, 2026
This is a fascinating and convincing read about how participating in the arts, such as dancing, reading, listening to music, painting, and visiting museums, can positively impact our health and wellbeing.
Dr Daisy Fancourt, a professor at University College London, presents compelling evidence from a range of robust scientific studies, including clinical, neuroimaging, cognitive, and cohort studies, demonstrating how the arts in various forms can improve our physical, psychological, and social health and development.
As a topic as broad as the arts can easily lead to generalisation, I particularly appreciate how the author carefully separates the different aspects of the arts and explains how each may influence different dimensions of health and wellbeing. She also does not shy away from presenting alternative perspectives, remaining objective when discussing the results of these studies, and avoids oversimplifying or overgeneralising the findings.
That said, this book delves deeply into the science, and for readers who simply want a general overview, the title alone may have already conveyed the central idea.
My rating: 4.25/5
Dr Daisy Fancourt, a professor at University College London, presents compelling evidence from a range of robust scientific studies, including clinical, neuroimaging, cognitive, and cohort studies, demonstrating how the arts in various forms can improve our physical, psychological, and social health and development.
As a topic as broad as the arts can easily lead to generalisation, I particularly appreciate how the author carefully separates the different aspects of the arts and explains how each may influence different dimensions of health and wellbeing. She also does not shy away from presenting alternative perspectives, remaining objective when discussing the results of these studies, and avoids oversimplifying or overgeneralising the findings.
That said, this book delves deeply into the science, and for readers who simply want a general overview, the title alone may have already conveyed the central idea.
My rating: 4.25/5
April 2, 2026
This book is fantastic. It scientifically supports why the arts as so essential. The arts will extend your life and improve your life. I always believed that . They can expanding our creative minds, and allowing expression to develop. Now I have book that links music Art, dance and poetry to longevity and healing.
February 28, 2026
Art is an often overlooked and under appreciated part of our lives, but has an astronomical effect on our health and wellbeing. A fantastically thorough examination of all the ways that art has been proven to benefit our mental and physical health, in more ways than one could even imagine.
March 9, 2026
Really enjoyed this, impressed at how she managed to weave in behaviour change as well. Yes, there is a bit of repetition but it’s a fundamental principle of learning and it didn’t bother me. Obviously strongly biased as this is a big area of interest for me.
March 14, 2026
The author provides some remarkable studies to support the use of art as medicine. As an art therapist, this is not news but the extent of evidence was surprising even to me.
Did Not Finish
April 18, 2026This could have been a pamphlet
March 24, 2026
Art, what is it? And how can it help us living healthier lives? Daisy Fancourt sets out to answer those questions and prove that we need the arts. We’ve seen the stories about how music helps dementia patients, now we find out the research behind it. With real life stories coupled with research we discover how the arts can reduce pain, stress, depression and help with loneliness. She leaves you with your own prescription for how you can build the arts into your life. A fascinating book and one government’s need to take note of, the arts is not a nice to have, it’s as essential as a good diet, sleep, exercise and nature.
April 14, 2026
3.5 It is a perfectly nice book, well written and well argued. I also agree with its main point (arts are good for you), it just got repetitive. Which I understand, as the author was making a comprehensive case, I just didn’t care enough. It felt a bit too light for me personally, but it also means it’s an accessible, easy read. It’s also a good reminder to engage with arts more regularly.
February 4, 2026
Love how this books break down the transformative power, even in small doses, art can have in our lives. A fun and informative read for art lovers everywhere.
March 20, 2026
This feels important & I'm sure to return to it and recommend it to others.
I struggle with various chronic conditions. I've been searching for "happiness" and maybe I had the answer all along?
Capitalist society tells us that art is meaningless, I even had an envelope packer at work laugh at my art degree. I was a straight A student at school, I didn't do art because it was my only option, I did art as it was what inspired me the most.
This book talks about the scientific importance of art, the practice of art and engaging with the arts.
I struggle with various chronic conditions. I've been searching for "happiness" and maybe I had the answer all along?
Capitalist society tells us that art is meaningless, I even had an envelope packer at work laugh at my art degree. I was a straight A student at school, I didn't do art because it was my only option, I did art as it was what inspired me the most.
This book talks about the scientific importance of art, the practice of art and engaging with the arts.
March 7, 2026
When I turned the last page of this book I didn’t know whether to cry or to cheer. This is a groundbreaking case for why the arts matter, backed up by a lifetime of research (when there’s 80+ pages of notes at the end, you KNOW you’re getting straight facts). Although this definitely skews much less narrative and more ‘hard science’ than I typically like in non-fiction, my jaw was constantly on the floor reading some of the insights in here and I feel extremely well-equipped to argue with anyone who tries to tell me the arts are unimportant. I’m so glad the Women’s Prize is giving this the platform it deserves.
March 6, 2026
As an NHS clinician working in mental health I am a great supporter of the arts supporting wellbeing and hugely interested in the intersection between medicine and the humanities, so I had been really looking forward to reading this book. Unfortunately, it reads more like a summary of recent research (heavily focused on music, the author’s specialist interest), and very little on the theoretical foundations or practical applications. As an academic I’m used to reading research papers, but I supposed I’d hoped for a slightly different format here. Whilst it was interesting to peruse the evidence base, I don’t really feel I’ve learned anything new, but perhaps lay people will feel differently.
February 26, 2026
This isn’t a bad book. But as a psychologist, this was just way too basic for me. I thought I’d learn more of the details and mechanics of art and health, instead it was basically study after study supporting good (mental) health outcomes. There were a few details I found interesting, but otherwise it was just… basic. Excellent cover tho 10/10
February 20, 2026
An interesting read. The science on the impact of the arts on our health is a lot more extensive than I’ve thought. I did spend much of the book thinking “this is great…for rich people” and was glad she addressed that in her last chapters.
February 16, 2026
Chapter 7 saved this… honestly I wish the whole book had been this type of exploration
February 16, 2026
Inspiring and practical.
Read
April 15, 2026Shortlisted for the 2026 Women’s Prize, Nonfiction
2026 Women’s Prize—Nonfiction
in-progress personal rankings; shortlisted books numbered
1. Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Transform Our Health, Daisy Fancourt
[2/3 & up next: shortlisted book: Mother Mary Comes to Me, Arundhati Roy (more TBD/released)]
2026 Women’s Prize—Nonfiction
in-progress personal rankings; shortlisted books numbered
1. Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Transform Our Health, Daisy Fancourt
[2/3 & up next: shortlisted book: Mother Mary Comes to Me, Arundhati Roy (more TBD/released)]
March 28, 2026
'Some mechanisms go directly and fairly immediately to improved health outcomes. If you sing, the ingredient of deep breathing activates the mechanims of increased oxygen intake which leads to the outcome of feeling less breathless. Some emchanisms emerge over time. If you increase the 'dosage', such as singing every day, you can additionally activate the mechanisms of increasing the strength of your respiratory muscles. Sustained for long enough, this could enable you to exercise more, leading to deeper health outcomes being achieved, like improved physical fitness....mechanisms can add together..for example, adding the ingredient of 'other people' to your singing (like joining a choir) could build your confidence, self-esteem and support networks, all of which could help you feel more capable of attempting bigger changes in your life, like joining a programme to help you quit smoking. Suddenly, singing has been part of a process that leads to a major chnage in your life, and in your health....this field of work mapping the intersection between such ingredients, mechanisms and outcomes is called complexity science.'
'As humans we have a number of basic 'needs'. Some are physiological - food, water, sleep, oxygen, shelter clothing. Others are based on security and predictability in our lives - financial stability, law and order, freedom from oppression....but if we want to 'thrive' - to feel a sense of fulfilment we have other needs such as control, coherence, mastery and purpose...the arts can compensate for these other 'needs'...from an evolutionary perspective noticing an being able to rely on patterns in our environment is a fundamental survival skill for all species. But finding reliable patterns in a deeply unstable world is an increasing challenge. Stephen Sondheim described art as 'an attempt to bring order out of chaos.'
'mindfulness practice improves the functional connectivity between three different brain networks. These are the executive control network which helps us direct our attention; the salience network which helps us detect and filter external information; and the default mode network, which is associated with 'self-referential' thinking - mind wandering, autobiographical memory, future planning and spontaneous thoughts. Activation of these same areas of the brain and the experience of mindful focus also happens when we look at art....this mindful process also encourages us to think about our thinking - a process known as 'metacognition'. Interrogating why we're feeling a certain way builds our self awareness...arts also help focus us away from ourelves, or away from identity as a patient, the very fact that the arts are not medical can be fundmental to reconstruction of an identity.'
'We have lots of social identities but they only become meaningful if they have a significance and importance to us as individuals. Socially identifying with meaningful groups is linked to lower levels of depression and better mental well-being. These identiies provide community, belonging and social support. This can be crucial in mental illness which typically erodes social relationships and connectedness but its important for everyone.'
'Scientists in Helsinki have demonstrated that the simple act of listening to music can lead to bettwe recovery of cognitive functions in patients who have had a stroke affecting the major artery in the brain...by three months post stroke the music group had around twice the improvement in verbal memory compared to the other two groups as well as substantial improvement in attention...they were less depressed and confused..listning to music had led to structural reorganisation of the recovering brains of the patients, increasing the grey matter volume in the regions of the brain associated with attention, memory, mood and language.'
'Philip Pullman says ' after nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.' we crave the mystery, intrigue, tragedy, comedy, but also the messages we learn through stories. This isnt new - 60, 000 years ago Indigenous Australians navigated the continent with songs, creating musical maps to find their way. On the other side of the world Inuit used songs to teach where fresh fruit was growing,, how to prepare food and essential survivial skills such as hunting. Stories are memory joggers and intruction manuals...when we hear stories we experince a phenomenon called ' neural coupling' our brains respond to the characters and events as though we are experiencing them ourselves...the empathy is neurological. It activates the amygdala and the anterior cingulate cortex (emotion processinng and interpetation of behaviours of others, feeling empathy).'
'Trials have compared when happens when people use typical approaches for hypertnesion (diet, exercise, blood pressure meds) either as treatments on their own or in combination with listening to music every day. The emerging results are astounding - decreases of nine to ten points in systolic blood pressure and six points in diastolic blood pressure in the music group over and above the effects from regular lifetsyle and medical interventions...listening to music not only independently benefits cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose levels and BMI but also beenfits blood vessels...the relaxing effects of listening to music helps arteries to dilate and relax, reduces aortic stiffness and improves wave reflections...this prevents plaques and blood clots that could cause stroke or heart attacks.'
'As humans we have a number of basic 'needs'. Some are physiological - food, water, sleep, oxygen, shelter clothing. Others are based on security and predictability in our lives - financial stability, law and order, freedom from oppression....but if we want to 'thrive' - to feel a sense of fulfilment we have other needs such as control, coherence, mastery and purpose...the arts can compensate for these other 'needs'...from an evolutionary perspective noticing an being able to rely on patterns in our environment is a fundamental survival skill for all species. But finding reliable patterns in a deeply unstable world is an increasing challenge. Stephen Sondheim described art as 'an attempt to bring order out of chaos.'
'mindfulness practice improves the functional connectivity between three different brain networks. These are the executive control network which helps us direct our attention; the salience network which helps us detect and filter external information; and the default mode network, which is associated with 'self-referential' thinking - mind wandering, autobiographical memory, future planning and spontaneous thoughts. Activation of these same areas of the brain and the experience of mindful focus also happens when we look at art....this mindful process also encourages us to think about our thinking - a process known as 'metacognition'. Interrogating why we're feeling a certain way builds our self awareness...arts also help focus us away from ourelves, or away from identity as a patient, the very fact that the arts are not medical can be fundmental to reconstruction of an identity.'
'We have lots of social identities but they only become meaningful if they have a significance and importance to us as individuals. Socially identifying with meaningful groups is linked to lower levels of depression and better mental well-being. These identiies provide community, belonging and social support. This can be crucial in mental illness which typically erodes social relationships and connectedness but its important for everyone.'
'Scientists in Helsinki have demonstrated that the simple act of listening to music can lead to bettwe recovery of cognitive functions in patients who have had a stroke affecting the major artery in the brain...by three months post stroke the music group had around twice the improvement in verbal memory compared to the other two groups as well as substantial improvement in attention...they were less depressed and confused..listning to music had led to structural reorganisation of the recovering brains of the patients, increasing the grey matter volume in the regions of the brain associated with attention, memory, mood and language.'
'Philip Pullman says ' after nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.' we crave the mystery, intrigue, tragedy, comedy, but also the messages we learn through stories. This isnt new - 60, 000 years ago Indigenous Australians navigated the continent with songs, creating musical maps to find their way. On the other side of the world Inuit used songs to teach where fresh fruit was growing,, how to prepare food and essential survivial skills such as hunting. Stories are memory joggers and intruction manuals...when we hear stories we experince a phenomenon called ' neural coupling' our brains respond to the characters and events as though we are experiencing them ourselves...the empathy is neurological. It activates the amygdala and the anterior cingulate cortex (emotion processinng and interpetation of behaviours of others, feeling empathy).'
'Trials have compared when happens when people use typical approaches for hypertnesion (diet, exercise, blood pressure meds) either as treatments on their own or in combination with listening to music every day. The emerging results are astounding - decreases of nine to ten points in systolic blood pressure and six points in diastolic blood pressure in the music group over and above the effects from regular lifetsyle and medical interventions...listening to music not only independently benefits cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose levels and BMI but also beenfits blood vessels...the relaxing effects of listening to music helps arteries to dilate and relax, reduces aortic stiffness and improves wave reflections...this prevents plaques and blood clots that could cause stroke or heart attacks.'
March 26, 2026
“Art funding is first to get cut, but arts are not a luxury; they are an essential” (12) says author Daisy Fancourt, professor of psychobiology and epidemiology at university College in London. “Art is the forgotten fifth pillar of health alongside diet, sleep, exercise, and nature (13). . . . Arts take you to a place which no medication or therapy ever can. They mark out a regular part of life” (75).
This study is filled with case histories about how different kinds of art have been used as therapy to help people with serious health problems attain a more speedy recovery and in some cases, even achieve a cure.
An interesting point is that one need not necessarily create art in order to benefit from it. One need only consume art or avail oneself to its truth and beauty to reap its healing effects. Art therapy is used for treatment for depression—theater, live musical events, and visits to art galleries can stave off dejection. Dr. Fancourt tells of a seriously disabled stroke victim who was prescribed art classes to help with his feelings of hopelessness. He was told he was not required to paint; all he had to do was observe the other students. In a few weeks he was painting portraits, and somewhere along this path, his depression lifted, and he overcame most of his physical limitations caused by the stroke.
A young attorney watched her life change from the “gray” of her old career into a life of “bright color” wrought by singing and songwriting. A magicians’ camp helps kids with cerebral palsy (116). Dance classes help people with Parkinson’s. Young people who engage in art and group activities have a lower rate of antisocial and criminal behaviors. Shakespeare and other theater projects in prisons and in schools combat bullying (174-75).
Fancourt notes that art stimulates the same region of the brain that brings joy from food and sex; that is, it activates dopamine (31). And the variety of “brain-protecting” artistic activities that bring about such changes is staggering— playing an instrument, reading for pleasure, making textiles and crafts, attending cultural events, cooking, engaging in creative writing, visiting the library, taking dance or acting lessons. (Fancourt is particularly enthused about dance therapy as involves creativity, imagination, beauty, anesthetics, as well as physical effort. “Dance isn’t just another form of exercise; it is a more holistic way of getting the exercise we need” [199]).
Fancourt’s last two chapters pose the questions Why Aren’t We Doing More Art? and How do We Fix Things? One of her last suggestions is “to experience art as you experience food . . . . experiment with new flavors, diversity, try all different kinds of art. Make art more real, less virtual in your lives.”
This study is filled with case histories about how different kinds of art have been used as therapy to help people with serious health problems attain a more speedy recovery and in some cases, even achieve a cure.
An interesting point is that one need not necessarily create art in order to benefit from it. One need only consume art or avail oneself to its truth and beauty to reap its healing effects. Art therapy is used for treatment for depression—theater, live musical events, and visits to art galleries can stave off dejection. Dr. Fancourt tells of a seriously disabled stroke victim who was prescribed art classes to help with his feelings of hopelessness. He was told he was not required to paint; all he had to do was observe the other students. In a few weeks he was painting portraits, and somewhere along this path, his depression lifted, and he overcame most of his physical limitations caused by the stroke.
A young attorney watched her life change from the “gray” of her old career into a life of “bright color” wrought by singing and songwriting. A magicians’ camp helps kids with cerebral palsy (116). Dance classes help people with Parkinson’s. Young people who engage in art and group activities have a lower rate of antisocial and criminal behaviors. Shakespeare and other theater projects in prisons and in schools combat bullying (174-75).
Fancourt notes that art stimulates the same region of the brain that brings joy from food and sex; that is, it activates dopamine (31). And the variety of “brain-protecting” artistic activities that bring about such changes is staggering— playing an instrument, reading for pleasure, making textiles and crafts, attending cultural events, cooking, engaging in creative writing, visiting the library, taking dance or acting lessons. (Fancourt is particularly enthused about dance therapy as involves creativity, imagination, beauty, anesthetics, as well as physical effort. “Dance isn’t just another form of exercise; it is a more holistic way of getting the exercise we need” [199]).
Fancourt’s last two chapters pose the questions Why Aren’t We Doing More Art? and How do We Fix Things? One of her last suggestions is “to experience art as you experience food . . . . experiment with new flavors, diversity, try all different kinds of art. Make art more real, less virtual in your lives.”
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