Your Brain on Art: The Science of Creativity and Neurological Health | Ivy Ross & Susan Magsamen - EP 173

The Empowering Neurologist Podcast

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One area that we spend a lot of time exploring focuses on the role of lifestyle choices as they relate to brain, health, functionality, and resistance to disease. I have to admit, over the years I have perhaps somewhat neglected a very important tool that offers up incredible utility as a relates to doing good

things for the brain, and that is art. With that in mind, I felt it would be a great idea to interview the authors of an exciting new book that explores this very topic entitled, Your Brain on Art by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross.

Your Brain on Art explores the vital role of arts in our lives, beyond mere entertainment. The book reveals a cultural evolution where arts emerge as powerful, accessible solutions for overall well-being. The authors present robust research highlighting the health benefits of art engagement. They illustrate how just 45 minutes of an art activity can significantly reduce stress hormones regardless of skill level, and regular artistic engagement could potentially extend life expectancy by a decade. The book delves into how music fosters cognitive abilities, the therapeutic effects of sound vibrations, the innovative use of virtual reality in therapy, and how interactive art experiences enhance memory and sensory engagement. It also discusses how art is being integrated into medical prescriptions for various health issues like loneliness and dementia.

Your Brain on Art serves as a gateway to understanding the intersection of arts, aesthetics, and wellness. It includes discussions with renowned figures like David Byrne, Renée Fleming, and E. O. Wilson, offering a comprehensive view of neuroaesthetics. This guide combines cutting-edge research, multidisciplinary expert insights, and inspirational stories, showcasing how arts significantly improve life quality.

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0:00 Intro

3:07 How Susan & Ivy Began Studying Art

9:20 Why Art is Necessary for Humanity

14:22 Your Brain on Art

18:50 How Observing Art Helps Us

20:34 Reducing Amygdala Actions

22:16 The Healing Power of Sound and Vibration

25:18 The Role of Aesthetics & Awe of Nature

32:06 Poetry: the Oldest Art Form

34:48 Treating Mental Illness with Art

40:06 Why Talent Doesn’t Matter

44:14 Creative Flow & Mindfulness

45:34 Theatre & Connecting to Our Emotions

51:04 Psychedelics for Healing

57:30 The Art of Food

1:00:51 Conclusion

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Susan Magsamen is the founder and executive director of the International Arts + Mind Lab (IAM Lab), Center for Applied Neuroaesthetics, a pioneering neuroaesthetics initiative from the Pedersen Brain Science Institute at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Susan’s work focuses on how the arts and aesthetic experiences measurably change the brain, body and behavior and how this knowledge can be translated to inform health, wellbeing and learning programs in medicine, public health and education.

Magsamen is also the co-author of the New York Times Bestseller, Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us written for the general public.

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Ivy Ross is the Vice President of Design for the Hardware organization at Google. Over the past six years, she and her team have launched 50+ products winning over 240 global design awards. This collection of hardware established a new Google design aesthetic that is tactile, colorful, and bold.

Most recently, Ivy co-authored with SusanMagsamen Your Brain on Art: How the ArtsTransform Us.

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