Creative activities help the brain age more slowly, international study shows

The research analyzed brain data from more than 1,400 participants from 13 countries and found that people who frequently engage in creative activities have “younger” brains than those who do not cultivate these habits.

“It's not that the brain rejuvenates — it ages more slowly,” explains neurologist Renato Anghinah, a professor at the University of São Paulo (USP) and one of the study's authors.

“These people’s brains maintain their responsiveness and creative capacity for longer.”

The team used computer models known as brain clocks to compare the biological and chronological age of the brain.

Among the groups analyzed—dancers, musicians, visual artists, video game players, and people who did not engage in any creative activity—the results were clear:

• Those who regularly engaged in creative practices had younger brains and more efficient neural connections.
• The so-called “non-practitioners” — the group used as a control — showed the expected pattern of brain aging, without the gains observed in the creative ones.
• Apprentices who recently started an activity showed intermediate improvement: the benefits appear even after just a few weeks of training.

The effect was even more evident in tango dancers , whose brains appeared up to seven years younger than their actual age.

According to Anghinah, this happens because dance combines movement, coordination, music and improvisation, activating several brain regions at the same time.

"Dancing is a complete activity: it requires motor coordination, planning, quick responses, and creativity. All of this causes the brain to create more connections and keep these networks active for longer," explains the researcher.

The neurologist believes the study helps to revalue the role of arts and creativity as factors of health and not just leisure.

"Art has always been relegated to the background, as if it were optional. But it should be given the same weight as physical exercise or a healthy diet. Creative activities are part of the complexity of our cognition and need to be at the center of public policies," he states.

Anghinah argues that schools—both public and private—should maintain music, theater, and arts education as essential components of the curriculum.

Even those who have never considered themselves creative can benefit.

The study showed that starting after age 50 or 60 still brings measurable gains to the brain .

"If someone decides to join a choir, learn an instrument, paint, or play a game that requires attention and reasoning, they'll create new connections and reactivate old skills," says Anghinah. "It's not the same effect as someone who's done this their entire life, but the brain continues to respond. Neuroplasticity works until the end of life."

For the neurologist, the ideal is to start slowly and find an activity that generates pleasure.

"There are endless ways to be creative," he says. "Singing, cooking differently, learning a new dance style, crocheting, painting, drawing, or even playing video games that require strategy and coordination—all of these help your brain work better."

"Creativity is an exercise in mental freedom. It doesn't require talent, but curiosity and consistency," he summarizes.

Researchers believe that, in the future, creativity could be prescribed as a prevention tool.

“I think the big message is that brain aging is the result of a combination of factors: good nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and now we know that creativity is also an important protector,” says Anghinah.

He himself, after participating in the research, says he was inspired to resume old hobbies.

"I used to be a very rational, research-oriented person. But this study made me sing again and pursue creative pursuits. Even researchers are transformed," he laughs.