Your Brain on Art

Now in paperback! The New York Times bestselling book Your Brain on Art: How The Arts Transform Us shares the new science behind humanity’s evolutionary birthright -- to make and behold art and its power to transform our lives. What artists have always known, and researchers are now proving is that arts, in all its forms, amplify physical and mental health, learning and flourishing and build stronger communities. We’re on the verge of a cultural shift in which the arts and aesthetics can deliver potent, accessible, and proven solutions for the well-being of everyone. Through the lens of the expanding field of neuroaesthetics, the two of us introduce world-renowned researchers, clinicians, and arts practitioners on the cutting edge of science, the arts and technology who are revolutionizing how we think about, and engage with, the arts. This book was written for everyone—those of us that have had little experience with the arts or scientific background, but interested in this work, and for those who work in the field. Compelling stories that weave together breakthrough research, insights from multidisciplinary pioneers and extraordinary people who are using the arts to live their fullest lives. Your Brain on Art offers insights, information and tools to improve our lives in ways that are inspiring, engaging and effective from expressive writing and visual arts to dance, digital arts, and so much more.