NBN Book of the Day Daisy Fancourt, "Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Save Lives" (Cornerstone Press, 2026)
Jan 23, 2026
Daisy Fancourt, a renowned professor at University College London, explores the health benefits of arts engagement in her book, Art Cure. She discusses how various art forms impact brain function and bodily health, emphasizing that dance can often surpass traditional exercise for overall wellness. Fancourt highlights the role of arts in reducing stress, particularly in hospital settings, and presents research linking arts participation to increased longevity. She also addresses barriers to access and proposes solutions to enhance arts funding and engagement.
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Hospital Arts Worked In Practice
- Daisy Fancourt worked in the NHS designing arts programmes in hospitals and saw direct effects on patients.
- She observed children with burns needing less morphine and dementia patients singing childhood songs despite memory loss.
Arts Change Brain And Body
- Arts activate reward and pleasure networks in the brain, producing dopamine during tension-and-resolution moments.
- They also reduce stress responses like heart rate, blood pressure, cortisol, and even markers of inflammation.
Avoid Overclaiming Scientific Effects
- Fancourt cautions against overclaims like the Mozart effect or music affecting cancer cells in Petri dishes.
- She urges ethical restraint and clarity about what the science actually supports.
