We all know people who seem mentally sharper than their age — those who take up new hobbies, learn instruments, or dance just for fun.
Their energy might seem like personality, but research shows it could be something deeper: creativity itself may slow the brain’s aging process.
What the science shows
A new international study led by neuroscientist Agustín Ibáñez from Adolfo Ibáñez University in Chile suggests that creative activities can help preserve brain youth.
The research, published in Nature Communications, analysed over 1,500 brain scans from participants in ten countries to investigate how lifestyle choices affect neurological age.
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The team developed “brain clocks” — models comparing a person’s real age with the biological age of their brain, measured through EEG and MEG scans.
These methods track electrical and magnetic activity in the brain, allowing researchers to assess how efficiently different brain regions communicate.
Creativity as mental exercise
When scientists compared 232 musicians, dancers, artists, and gamers with non-creative participants, they found clear patterns.
Those involved in creative pursuits had brains that functioned more efficiently and appeared up to seven years younger than their chronological age.
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The effect was strongest in experienced dancers, whose activity demands rhythm, coordination, and emotional awareness — all crucial for cognitive health.
But experience was not essential. Even beginners who practiced for only a few weeks showed measurable improvements. What mattered most was consistent and focused engagement, not natural talent.
People who devoted 3–10 hours a week to creative work displayed stronger neural connections in regions linked to movement, memory, and decision-making — areas that often decline with age.
These findings suggest creativity acts as a natural form of brain training, keeping mental networks flexible and resilient.
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A holistic approach to brain health
Ibáñez emphasizes that creativity should complement, not replace, other healthy habits. Regular exercise, proper sleep, balanced nutrition, and social connection remain essential foundations for brain longevity.
Creative activities enhance these effects by engaging emotion, imagination, and problem-solving at the same time.
Whether it’s painting, playing piano, or learning to dance, creative hobbies invite the brain to think in new ways — strengthening pathways that keep it young.
The message is simple: you don’t need talent, just curiosity and practice.
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Article based on findings published in Illustreret Videnskab and Nature
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