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Study Shows Art May Help With Depression
A new study shows that our brains react in a similar way whether we are in love or whether we are looking at beautiful artwork. Research by Professor Semir Zeki demonstrates that looking at art stimulates our brains which create the same chemical response as when we are in love. This is just further evidence that art may prove beneficial for those that are feeling down or depressed.
Professor Semir talks more about this in the following video posted by the United Kingdom’s ArtFund.
Video: Art Stimulates Brain Same as Being in Love
Art Gives Same Level of Pleasure as Being in Love – Transcript
Narrator:
Art lovers have long thought that art is important to our well-being, but they had no proof…until now. New research into how the brain works by Semir Zeki, Professor of Neurobiology and Neuroesthetics at University College London has uncovered how our brains react when we look at art. And it seems as if art lovers were right all along.
Semir Zeki:
There have been very significant new advances in our understanding of what happens in our brain when we look at works of art. We’ve recently found that when we look at things whic we consider to be beautiful, the activity in the pleasure and reward centers of the brain goes up. There is a lot of dopamine, which is also known as a feel-good neurotransmitter, in these areas. So, basically the feel-good centers are being stimulated.
We have looked at the activity in different brain areas by putting people in a scanner and showing them pictures. When they experience beauty there are areas of the brain which activity goes up significantly. It is also released, for example, in a state of love and desire. So that, in a sense, it induces a feel-good factor.
Girl 1:
It just gives you a whole new perspective on so many different things.
Guy 1:
It lifts you out of the mundanity of life.
Girl 2:
It makes me feel good.
Narrator:
The findings coincide with David Cameron’s concerns around UK well-being, which led him to commission the happiness index in April with the results being published this summer.
With art engendering such a feel-good factor, the Art Fund’s launch of the National ArtPass is set to be good news for the government as well as the population at large.
Dr. Stephen Deuchar – Director, The Art Fund:
By holding the National ArtPass, you get access to hundreds of museums across the country and the art that lies within them, and special discounts, and special access generally.
Grayson Perry:
I get responses from all levels of society that are quite emotional sometimes because they identify their own lives in it and their own issues. Life without art would be a series of emails…it would be quite boring.
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12 Responses to “Study Shows Art May Help With Depression”
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Love this article…no wonder I’m so happy!
Great article, the feelings we get from Art, it just elevate us to another level of been.
I’d love to read the study. Can you provide the title and publication?
wow this is so true.. so often i see the results working with my students it is now good to have information to pass on to clients.
I would love to share our Workbook/DVD set, Leftovers, the Ups and Downs of a Compulsive on your website. We use expressive arts therapies to address eating disorders, body image dissatisfaction, and size acceptance. How would I proceed?
Warmly, Dr. Deah Schwartz
Wonderful article, thanks for the illumination.
art is EVERYTHING.. in my mind. a couple years ago i was told about art therapy.. and NOW im absolutely in love with it and i want to be an art therapist even if it takes me forever. art has always been in my family and i know thats all i wanted to do.. but wasnt sure because i want to do everything. but art therapy.. sounds like me. especially because.. a couple years ago.. i was stuck between art and psychology haha :] my counselor told me.. ART THERAPY!.. and i thought.. hmmm.. i dunno..(i was 18 at the time.. i am now 21).. and right now.. its past 4am.. and i finally realized how amazing this field is. ive been depressed.. and have been drinking a lot since ive been young.. younger than 18.. a lot of struggles.. and a lot i need to fix. im an artist myself.. and when i paint or draw.. it helps me SO much. so.. id like to say that i love this article too :] looking at art helps so much.. but then actually MAKING the art.. is an incredible feeling :] took me a lot to share something like that.. im real shy. but thats why i want to help others.. like im helping myself. if anyone is reading this.. thats great! :] thanks :]
grayson perry…… sounds like me
I’de love to know what where specifically you found this article. I want to learn more! Thanks
know where*
Hey! Does anyone know when this study was done?
Hello,
I’m a writer for Spry Magazine. I’m looking for a women in her 30-50s who has learned to manage her depression, perhaps through art. Do you know of anyone like that who might be willing to speak to me? Thanks.