Neuroarts: Can Art and Creativity Heal You? | Susan Magsamen, Ruth J. Katz, and Sarah Lyding | The Neuroarts Blueprint Initiative

Can art and creativity actually heal you?In this episode of The Health Curve Podcast, we explore a powerful idea at the intersection of science, culture, and health: that music, art, movement, storytelling, and creative expression don’t just enrich life. They can actively shape our brains, our mental health, and even our physical well-being.Dr. Jason Arora is joined by Susan Magsamen (Johns Hopkins, Your Brain on Art), Ruth Katz (Aspen Institute), and Sarah Lyding (Music Man Foundation) to unpack the emerging field of neuroarts—and what the science is now beginning to show.Together, we break down how engaging with the arts can influence brain function, stress, emotional regulation, connection, and recovery. From Parkinson’s disease and dance, to music and Alzheimer’s, to trauma, youth mental health, and community healing—this is a field that’s rapidly moving from intuition to evidence.But this conversation goes beyond science.We ask a bigger question: what if the arts aren’t a luxury, but a core pillar of health?We also explore why this field is only now gaining traction, how initiatives like the NeuroArts Blueprint are pushing for research and policy change, and what it would take to bring creativity into mainstream healthcare, education, and everyday life.If you’ve ever felt better after listening to music, writing, moving, or creating something, this episode explains why that matters more than you think.Follow The Health Curve for evidence-based conversations that help you navigate your health with clarity.Chapters:00:00 Intro00:04 What is neuroarts, and why does it matter?02:22 Defining neuroarts03:38 What counts as “art”?05:43 What does the evidence show?08:44 Making vs experiencing art10:48 The science of art and the brain15:14 Where the evidence is strongest21:26 Art and human evolution26:42 Why is this field still new?29:13 The NeuroArts Blueprint38:36 Global perspectives41:38 Bringing neuroarts into healthcare48:07 Practical takeaways50:09 Closing