November 2015 PMID 24983951

How art changes your brain: differential effects of visual art production and cognitive art evaluation on functional brain connectivity.

Anne Bolwerk, Jessica Mack-Andrick, Frieder R Lang, Arnd Dörfler, Christian Maihöfner

Mentions

173
Peak: 3 in Nov 2025
across 5 sources since Jul 2018

Extended reach

25,479
potential audience

Total likes

110

Video views

4,500

Mentions per month

Jul 2018 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

  • Facebook111 posts
  • News38 articles
  • Blogs11 articles
  • X / Twitter10 posts
  • YouTube3 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions consistently express strong support for the research, citing examples like how creating art enhances brain connectivity and resilience, and noting practical benefits such as lowered stress and improved mental health. Words like 'connects,' 'improves,' and phrases like 'game changer' reflect their enthusiasm and sense of importance, indicating high engagement and perceived impact.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most comments strongly endorse the study’s findings, emphasizing that creating or engaging with art positively affects brain health and resilience.

InterestHigh interest

Discussions reveal high curiosity, with many posts referencing specific benefits like stress reduction and increased open-mindedness, demonstrating genuine interest.

EngagementHigh engagement

Several posts analyze the implications of different types of art engagement, such as creating versus evaluating art, indicating deep involvement with the research details.

ImpactHigh impact

The posts highlight significant potential health benefits, including mental health improvements and stress management, suggesting the research has a profound influence on perceptions of art's value.

Abstract in brief

  • This study explores how engaging in visual art either by creating it or evaluating it can change brain connectivity, particularly in the default mode network (DMN), in adults aged 63-71.
  • Results show that actively producing art enhances connectivity between key brain regions more than just evaluating art, and this improved connectivity is linked to greater psychological resilience.
  • The findings suggest that making art may have unique benefits for mental well-being by improving brain function related to stress resistance in older adults.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
GoldenThreadGallery
@goldenthreadg · X

Did you know looking at visual art changes your brain? Studies have proved it can reduce distress, alter thinking patterns & even normalise blood pressure & cortisol levels. Today on #WorldMentalHealthDay look after yourself by visiting an art gallery

Oct 10, 2020 · 3 likes · 4,245 followers View post →
Thomas Hanicak
@THanicak · X

How art changes the brain. https://t.co/jtp8zWdOAj

Nov 1, 2019 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 400 followers View post →
manndeibert_art
@manndeibertart · X

How Art Changes Your Brain: Differential Effects of Visual Art Production and Cognitive Art Evaluation on Functional Brain Connectivity. Even if you are “bad at it” art has a variety of benefits for your brain. Here’s an academic piece on brain function. https://t.co/qgHNzEpve6

Jul 11, 2019 · 3 likes · 73 followers View post →
GoldenThreadGallery
@goldenthreadg · X

Did you know that visiting us is good for your mental health? Research has shown that experiencing visual art can reduce distress, alter thinking patterns, normalise heart rate, blood pressure & even cortisol levels. Come on in!

Oct 23, 2019 · 1 like · 4,245 followers View post →
Julien Torriani
@JulienTorriani · X

#2 A study (linked bellow) found that creating visual art enhances functional connectivity in the brain, leading to improved stress resilience. In other words, making/visualising art could help your brain better handle stress. #StressManagement https://t.co/5szSje8v43

Jun 22, 2023 · 1 like · 47 followers View post →
Healing Artist Academy
@HArtistAcademy · X

4. Literally connects brain regions, bringing you new perception, and increases your open-mindedness. You also develop your visual language skills https://t.co/uHMEYtAdlW

Oct 30, 2022 · 1 like · 2 followers View post →

All mentions

Julien Torriani
@JulienTorriani · X

#2 A study (linked bellow) found that creating visual art enhances functional connectivity in the brain, leading to improved stress resilience. In other words, making/visualising art could help your brain better handle stress. #StressManagement https://t.co/5szSje8v43

Jun 22, 2023 · 1 like · 47 followers View post →
Tracy Brower
@TracyBrower108 · X

How Art Changes Your Brain: Differential Effects of Visual Art Production and Cognitive Art Evaluation on Functional Brain Connectivity | PLOS ONE https://t.co/W5kVWAHJB8

Apr 8, 2023 · 9,372 followers View post →
Healing Artist Academy
@HArtistAcademy · X

4. Literally connects brain regions, bringing you new perception, and increases your open-mindedness. You also develop your visual language skills https://t.co/uHMEYtAdlW

Oct 30, 2022 · 1 like · 2 followers View post →
GoldenThreadGallery
@goldenthreadg · X

Did you know looking at visual art changes your brain? Studies have proved it can reduce distress, alter thinking patterns & even normalise blood pressure & cortisol levels. Today on #WorldMentalHealthDay look after yourself by visiting an art gallery

Oct 10, 2020 · 3 likes · 4,245 followers View post →
ThinkUDL
@ThinkUDL · X

RT @THanicak: How art changes the brain. https://t.co/jtp8zWdOAj

Nov 2, 2019 · 2 shares · 2,252 followers View post →
Thomas Hanicak
@THanicak · X

How art changes the brain. https://t.co/jtp8zWdOAj

Nov 1, 2019 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 400 followers View post →
GoldenThreadGallery
@goldenthreadg · X

Did you know that visiting us is good for your mental health? Research has shown that experiencing visual art can reduce distress, alter thinking patterns, normalise heart rate, blood pressure & even cortisol levels. Come on in!

Oct 23, 2019 · 1 like · 4,245 followers View post →
Yang Mulia
@horgunija · X

Jadi membuat karya seni rupa meningkatkan psychological resilience, tapi tidak dgn evaluasi karya seni https://t.co/vEmOituonv

Oct 2, 2019 · 310 followers View post →
Shaba Tsouk - HEALING ART
@ShabaArt · X

How Art Changes Your Brain: Differential Effects of Visual Art Production and Cognitive Art Evaluation on Functional Brain Connectivity /Anne Bolwerk1,2, Jessica Mack-Andrick3 , Frieder R. Lang4 , Arnd Do¨ rfler5 , Christian Maiho¨fner1,2*: https://t.co/nRdeiGxmM4

Aug 21, 2019 · 27 followers View post →
manndeibert_art
@manndeibertart · X

How Art Changes Your Brain: Differential Effects of Visual Art Production and Cognitive Art Evaluation on Functional Brain Connectivity. Even if you are “bad at it” art has a variety of benefits for your brain. Here’s an academic piece on brain function. https://t.co/qgHNzEpve6

Jul 11, 2019 · 3 likes · 73 followers View post →