2023-10-18 21:33:29
Can art help us heal? It seems that the answer is positive, in every sense of the word! Thanks to scientific imaging technologies, researchers have been able to demonstrate that certain artistic practices can actually modify the functioning of our brain. And in this way have a favorable, visible impact on our body and our health. For us human beings, contact with art can begin very early. Even while we are still in our mother’s womb. Songs, the notes that reach our ears, are our first musical experiences. And already, our brain reacts. Zones are activated automatically. As if our cortex was already ready for the artistic experience. In Spain, an institute is carrying out surprising research. Somewhat unusual ultrasound scans are carried out there. During the examination, a small music transmitter is placed in the mother’s vagina. This allows music to be brought closer to the fetus. Objective: to stimulate its development well before birth. And certain melodies particularly make babies react… The powers of music work at all ages. It would also allow us to age better. In any case, this is the hypothesis of a study carried out in Geneva. Retirees in good health, who had never practiced music, were asked to take up the piano. First observation: playing an instrument allows you to exercise cognitive skills that are essential in everyday life, such as memory and attention. It also puts a lot of strain on fine motor skills. Each participant passes regularly through a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine. Result: in just a few months, regular piano practice has already changed the functioning of the participants’ brains, in the direction of progression in their abilities. If music can help improve life and treat certain pathologies, dance can also have surprising effects. Aged 42, Alexis suffers from an early form of Parkinson’s. This degenerative disorder gradually destroys the neurons responsible for dopamine production in the brain. This seriously disrupts the coordination of his movements. For 6 months, he has been receiving tango therapy. And the effects are visible. Practicing this dance helps promote movement and smoother walking. It seems that tango has the power to unlock some people with Parkinson’s because its movements and rhythm are close to those of walking. And what regarding the so-called visual arts? In Lyon, the internal medicine department of a hospital looks like a museum. Paintings and photos are available for everyone to see in the corridors. And also, each patient can choose to display a work in their room. The goal is not just to decorate. But to bring real well-being.
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#Gray #Matter #art #heal
