This episode is brought to you by WHOOP, BON CHARGE, and Joovv. 

Today on The Dhru Purohit Podcast, Dhru and Susan Magsamen discuss how we can use art to transform our neurocircuitry and help heal our bodies and minds.

Susan Magsamen is the founder and director of the International Arts + Mind Lab Center for Applied Neuroaesthetics at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Susan cowrote the book Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us with Ivy Ross. In the book, Magsamen and Ross offer compelling research that shows how engaging in an art project—from painting and dancing to expressive writing, architecture, and more—for as little as 45 minutes reduces the stress hormone cortisol, no matter your skill level, and just one art experience per month can extend your life by 10 years. 

In this episode, Dhru and Susan dive into:

-How art can radically transform the body and brain (2:01)

-How we’re wired to engage with art (4:01)

-The connection between art and nature (12:31)

-Susan’s story and how she got into the mind-art connection (14:56)

-Using art as a way to connect to ourselves, each other, and the external world (21:36)

-Rewiring the brain with art (41:06)

-Carving out time for art: the minimal viable dose (46:35)

-Enriching your environment for inspiration and creativity (50:28)

-Establishing new connections in the brain (57:27)

-The default mode network: daydreaming and letting your mind wander (1:05:22)

-What we’re missing by removing art from school (1:13:05)

-Integrating art, science, and culture (1:15:41)

-The connection between plant medicine and awe (1:25:47)

-How art and creativity can extend our life span and help us flourish (1:33:51)

-First steps to bringing art experiences back into your life (1:37:47)

-Where to follow Susan’s work (1:49:30)

Also mentioned in this episode:

-Neuroartsblueprint.org

-Artsandmindlab.org

-Yourbrainonart.com

-Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us

For more on Susan Magsamen, follow her on Instagram @susanmagsamen, Facebook @susan.magsamen.9, or through her website, Artsandmindlab.org.

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