Creative minds, younger brains: New study shows creative experiences delay brain aging

Creative experiences and brain clocks, published today in Nature Communications, provides the first large-scale evidence that engaging in creativity helps keep the brain young. Engaging in creative experiences such as music, dance, visual arts, and even specific video games can slow brain aging and promote healthier brain function, according to this trailblazing international study.

Although creativity has long been celebrated for its cultural and personal value, this is the first large-scale scientific evidence directly linking creative engagement to measurable protection of brain health. Researchers examined brain data from more than 1,400 participants across 13 countries, including creative experts (tango dancers, musicians, visual artists), learners, and non-experts. They found that sustained engagement in creative activities was consistently associated with “younger” brains, while even short-term training produced measurable—though smaller—benefits.

To uncover these effects, the team applied advanced computational models known as “brain clocks.” These models estimate biological brain age and compare it with chronological age, producing a “brain-age gap.” A smaller gap signals resilience to aging, while a larger one reflects accelerated decline. Until now, brain clocks had mostly been used to track negative influences such as genetic risks, environmental exposures, or disease. This is the first study to show they can also capture positive influences—in this case, the protective power of creativity.

Results showed that creative practices fostered more efficient brain networks, improved connectivity, and supported neural efficiency in regions most vulnerable to aging. The findings suggest that creativity—like exercise or diet—can be prescribed as a powerful, low-cost, and accessible strategy to promote brain health across the lifespan.

“This is the first study of its kind to show that creativity can protect brain health in a measurable way,” said Dr. Lucia Melloni. “Our findings reveal that creative practices—from tango to strategy gaming—share common mechanisms that support more efficient brain networks. This makes creativity a powerful, accessible tool to foster healthy aging.”

Coronel-Oliveros, C., et al. (2025). Creative experiences and brain clocks. Nature Communications. Doi: doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-64173-9