“You know the transformative power of art. You’ve gotten lost in music, in a painting, in a movie or a play, and you felt something shift within you. You’ve read a book so compelling that you pressed it into the hands of a friend; you heard a song so moving, you listened to it over and over, memorizing every word. The arts bring joy. Inspiration. Wellbeing. Understanding. Even salvation. And while these experiences may not be easy to explain, you have always known they are real and true. But we now have scientific proof that the arts are essential to our very survival… Discoveries and findings about human biology will continue to give rise to arts-based, personalized prevention and wellness programs, increasingly becoming part of mainstream healthcare and public health as clinicians and insurers are convinced by the mounting evidence that the arts really do help us heal and thrive… Simple, quick, accessible ‘acts of art’ can enhance your life… In the same way you might exercise to lower cholesterol and increase serotonin in the brain, just 20 minutes of doodling or humming can provide immediate support for your physical and mental state.”

- Excerpts from the introduction of ‘Your Brain On Art’ by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross.