Creative Experiences Slow Brain Aging
Scientists were interested in the impact of creative activities on brain aging. They defined creativity as “the ability to produce ideas or solutions that are both novel and effective using one’s imagination.”
Researchers examined brain scan data from 1,240 participants to analyze accelerated or delayed brain aging, as compared to chronological brain age. They compared brain data from experts and non-experts in dance, music, visual arts, and video games. They also examined data from 232 participants who were video game novices to analyze the impact of training and playing a new game.
They found that participation in creative activities slowed brain aging, with those participants who had the most years practicing an art form, or in gaming, showing the most beneficial reduction in brain aging. Those that took the video game training showed delayed brain aging as well, but it was less than those with years of creative activity expertise.
Takeaway: Creative experiences in dance, music, visual arts, and gaming are linked with delayed brain aging. Learning a new game is also associated with slowing brain aging. The greater the years of creative activity, the greater the brain benefits. Thus, taking up gaming or an art form, and spending time enjoying a creative activity, is likely to slow brain aging.
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Sources
Carlos Coronel-Oliveros, et al., Creative experiences and brain clocks | Nature Communications, Oct 3, 2025.