Author: Edyta Ruta
Art Cure. The Science of How the Arts Transform Our Health by Daisy Fancourt is a book that has long been missing from the market – rich in substance yet written in an accessible way, allowing anyone to benefit from scientific research on the health-promoting effects of art and culture. I reached for it immediately after its release in January 2026.
Why is Art Cure worth reading?
The author is a professor of psychobiology and epidemiology at University College London. She leads the Social Biobehavioural Research Group and serves as Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Arts and Health. She has published over 300 scientific papers, received more than twenty academic awards, and is among the most frequently cited scientists in the world. Fancourt is also an award-winning science communicator.
In my view, Art Cure has many strengths, but what I value most is its ability to communicate rigorous scientific evidence through real-life examples – stories of people whose lives have been changed by art, from children participating in creative activities to older adults engaging in cultural events. Nothing speaks to our imagination as powerfully as another person’s story, especially when it touches on something close to our own experience.
How does art affect the brain and the body?
Art affects us in a comprehensive way, engaging both the brain and the body. When we paint, dance, sing, visit museums, or listen to music, the same brain regions are activated as those involved in basic needs such as food or social connection. Activation of the nucleus accumbens, the amygdala, and parts of the striatum triggers the release of dopamine and other neurotransmitters responsible for pleasure, motivation, and learning. Art allows us to process difficult emotions in a safe context, supports mood regulation and social skills, and fosters a sense of control, purpose, and meaning in life.
The scientific evidence is impressive. Cohort studies show that people who regularly participate in artistic activities have a 50 percent lower risk of depression compared to those who rarely engage in culture. Clinical experiments have shown that relaxing music and dance lower blood pressure, improve heart rhythm, balance, and coordination, and lead to clear improvements in motor function among patients with Parkinson’s disease or after stroke.
Art also increases gray matter density in the brain, supports cognitive development in children, and aids recovery after neurological damage. As early as the nineteenth century, patients in the German hospital in Illenau took part daily in musical activities, choirs, and concerts, while instructors taught dance and painting – the therapeutic power of art was already being recognized at that time.
How can we unlock the health potential of art in our life?
The author provides practical advice on how to use art in everyday life. Long hours of practice or great masterpieces are not required – thirty to sixty minutes per week, ideally twice a week for at least six weeks, is sufficient. Variety matters. Painting, singing, dancing, or visiting a museum provide different health benefits, from brain stimulation to improved mood and physical fitness.
Experiencing art alone supports concentration and immersion in a state of flow, while experiencing art in a group builds social bonds and a sense of belonging. Most importantly, people should choose activities that bring them pleasure – art that is imposed or misaligned with personal interests can cause stress rather than relaxation.
Why do we so rarely treat art as part of a healthy lifestyle?
If we know that art has health-promoting effects, why do we engage in creative activities so rarely? I encourage readers to explore Art Cure, so I will not reveal all of the book’s arguments. However, following the author’s reasoning and the research presented, it is worth reflecting on this question.
First, art as a health factor is rarely discussed in public discourse. At a time when long and healthy life has become a popular topic, art is still not treated as an essential element of prevention. There is a lack of public health campaigns comparable to “Eat fruits and vegetables” or “Don’t smoke” that would instead promote messages such as “Dance for your health,” “Sing to improve your mood,” or “Visit a museum with your family.”
Second, we forget that we are all creative. On average, over a lifetime we read 700 books, watch 5,000 films, and listen to 1.3 million pieces of music. If culture is understood more broadly, activities such as decorating cakes, crocheting, singing to a child, or dancing – all count as creative practices. The problem is that we tend to think about art only in professional or elitist terms.
Culture, psychological resilience, and social strength
Examples from Art Cure show that art is present in our lives even when we do not notice it – and that it can serve health-related and social functions if we give it enough space. In Poland, this topic remains niche. That is why my first article in the “Culture and Health” category on the PASMO Foundation website focuses on a book that can dispel doubts and, I hope, persuade the health sector.
As outlined by Daisy Fancourt: Art, alongside diet, sleep, physical activity, and contact with nature, is the fifth and forgotten pillar of health. Engaging in creative activities and experiencing art supports not only individual well-being but also social resilience and the ability to cope with difficult situations. Dance, music, theatre, and encounters with beauty help improve psychological resilience, sleep, metabolism, and cognitive functions, while reducing the risk of depression and chronic disease.
I particularly recommend Art Cure to those who are skeptical about the health benefits of art. This practical guide, full of concrete examples, shows that art truly works – it supports health prevention and improves overall well-being. For readers who value references, sources, and strong evidence, the book will feel like a true bible. Art Cure is available in English in print, ebook, and audiobook formats across many sales platforms.
