The Neuroscience of creativity
Following on from my previous blog on the impact of creativity on wellbeing, I thought it would be helpful to set out the neuroscience of creativity to underscore the positive impact it can have on our wellbeing. Particularly our brain health.
Creativity is a scale. According to psychologists, there is the ‘Big-C’ creativity and the ‘little-c’ creativity. Big-C creativity refers to the type of output from writers, painter, musicians etc; little-c creativity is something at the disposal of everyone else. It expresses itself in small and big ways. From creating a new recipe and telling jokes, to reconceptualising an approach to a piece of work. So, where does creativity come from?
Recent evidence suggests that creativity requires active thought and cognitive processes. It requires the ability to overcome the ‘distraction’ and ‘stickiness’ of the status quo. Therefore, per the science, creativity involves a dynamic interplay between memory and cognition, as well as an ability to conceptualise things that have not yet happened. A strange equation of the past, present and future. The need to recall, reconstruct and construct a new. The ability to connect seemingly unrelated concepts.
The main elements of creativity include:
1. Prefrontal cortex – area of the brain responsible for executive functions including cognitive flexibility, working memory and inhibitory control. These are important for generating and evaluating new ideas.
2. Default Mode Network – a network of brain regions that make connections between seemingly unrelated ideas (a process called associated thinking).
3. Dopamine – a neurotransmitter involved in reward processing and motivation. Studies show the reward system activates during creative tasks, providing positive reinforcement for creative behaviour.
4. Relationship between brain hemispheres – both hemispheres, responsible for different types of cognition and processing, need to work together for optimal creative thinking.
5. Neural plasticity – the brain can change and reorganise neural connections and pathways, crucial for creativity. Learning, exposure to new experiences, and engaging in creative activities can strengthen neural connections and promote new ways of thinking.
6. Brain waves – there are different types of brain waves (the electrical patterns generated by the synchronised activity of billions of neurons in the brain). The below types of brainwaves have been associated with creativity:
a. Alpha – associated with a relaxed and calm mind, more prominent during creative tasks, such as brainstorming or generating new ideas
b. Theta – linked to states of deep relaxation, daydreaming and early stages of sleep. Research has shown that theta waves are associated with enhanced creativity and the generation of novel ideas
c. Gamma – linked with high level cognitive processes, including attention, memory and perception. Again, gamma wave activity has been observed in creative thinking and problem-solving tasks.
So there you have it. Creativity is an incredible way to strengthen the brain and support your wellbeing in the process! Just pick a small task that foster creativity and start there.