Creative experiences delay brain aging
Engaging in creative experiences such as music, dance, visual arts, and even specific video games can slow brain aging and promote healthier brain function, according to an international study published in Nature Communications.
Although creativity has long been celebrated for its cultural and personal value, this study is the first large-scale scientific evidence directly linking creative engagement to direct measurable protection of brain health.
Researchers across 13 countries examined brain data from more than 1,400 participants, including creative experts like tango dancers, musicians, visual artists, learners, and non-experts. They found that sustained engagement in creative activities was consistently associated with “younger” brains, while even short-term training produced measurable (though smaller) benefits.
The corresponding author of the study, said:
“Creativity emerges as a powerful determinant of brain health, comparable to exercise or diet. Our results open new avenues for creativity-based interventions to protect the brain against aging and disease. Our study also showed that brain clocks can be used to monitor interventions aimed to improve brain health.”
The first author, said: “One of our key takeaways is that you do not need to be an expert to benefit from creativity. Indeed, we found that learners gained from brief video game training sessions.”
So far, “brain clocks” have primarily been used to assess the negative influences on brain health, including genetic risks, environmental exposures (the exposome), and social inequalities. This is one of the few studies that demonstrates, for the first time, that brain clocks can also capture positive influences –in this case, the protective impact of creativity.
The study, involving 1,402 participants across 13 countries, including creative experts (tango dancers, musicians, visual artists, and strategy gamers), learners undergoing short-term training, and non-experts had participants complete brain scans (EEG & MEG) and cognitive tests, which were analysed with “brain clock” models to compare biological and chronological brain age.
The design also incorporated computational modeling of brain aging to assess brain connectivity and information processing efficiency, identifying mechanisms that link creativity with brain health. Finally, results were validated across modalities and creative domains to test for generalizable effects.
Results showed that creativity was consistently linked to younger brain profiles. The protective effects were most evident in regions vulnerable to neurodegeneration (hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and parietal areas). Computational modeling revealed that creative engagement supports more efficient brain networks and stronger connectivity, mechanisms believed to underlie its protective role.
The findings highlight creativity as a public health resource, with implications for clinical interventions and health policy. From tango to video gaming, creative practices share common benefits for brain health and healthy aging.
The author said: “This is not relevant only for neuroscience, but it is a cultural and policy opportunity. Our societies need to reimagine healthy aging through both medical and non-medical domains, such as creativity, arts, and play.”
Another author said: “While these creative experiences differ, they share a common thread: they help protect brain connections that are vulnerable to accelerated aging,” said. “Because everyone’s hobbies and interests are unique, it’s encouraging to know there are many ways to support brain health through creativity.”
The results suggest that creativity could be prescribed, much like exercise, as a low-cost, accessible, and powerful way to protect brain health. Results also demonstrate that brain clocks are not just diagnostic tools for disease risk, but also sensitive measures for positive, resilience-building experiences.
