Creative Engagement Slows Biological Brain Aging, International Study Reveals

Engaging consistently in creative pursuits appears to possess the power to decelerate the biological aging processes within the brain. This offers a highly accessible strategy for extending cognitive longevity. A comprehensive international research effort has uncovered compelling evidence suggesting that leisure activities such as dancing, musical performance, or strategic gaming correlate with brains that exhibit a biological age five to seven years younger, on average, for those highly involved in these activities, compared to their chronological age.

The findings were formally presented by an international consortium of scientists in the journal Nature Communications in October 2025. This analysis involved scrutinizing data collected from over 1,400 volunteers spanning 13 different nations. Researchers employed sophisticated measurement techniques, including electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG). These tools were instrumental in developing what the team termed “brain clocks,” which estimate biological age based on the brain’s electrical activity and functional connectivity patterns.

The discrepancy between this calculated biological age and the participant’s actual age was designated the Brain Age Gap (BAG). Crucially, participants who regularly dedicated time to creative endeavors consistently displayed a negative BAG. This outcome serves as a clear indicator that their brains were aging at a slower rate than expected for their years.

The core mechanisms driving this beneficial outcome have been pinpointed as neuroplasticity—the brain’s inherent capacity to reorganize itself by forging new neural pathways—and cognitive reserve, which represents the brain’s resilience against potential damage. Computational modeling further demonstrated that sustained creative experience strengthens the coupling between disparate brain regions. This enhanced synchronization results in more efficient neural networks and better-coordinated communication patterns across the brain.

Importantly, the positive influence scales directly with the level of commitment. Even relatively short-term dedication yielded measurable benefits. For instance, committing just 30 hours to mastering the strategy game StarCraft II resulted in a quantifiable reduction in an individual’s Brain Age Gap.

Research initiatives such as those spearheaded by the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) are deeply invested in mitigating the global scope and impact of dementia. Established in 2015 with foundational support from The Atlantic Philanthropies, GBHI operates key hubs at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and Trinity College Dublin. Their mission is to elevate brain health outcomes by integrating diverse disciplines and methodologies. These new findings firmly establish creativity as a primary determinant of brain health, placing it on par with established pillars like diet and physical exercise.

Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) already incorporates artistic engagement into its framework of “social prescriptions” aimed at promoting healthy aging and combating social isolation. Creative hobbies function as a protective buffer against the damaging effects of chronic stress. They also represent a cost-effective and culturally adaptable resource for preventative healthcare strategies. Consequently, creativity should be viewed not merely as a pleasant pastime, but as an active neurobiological intervention designed to fortify the structural and functional reserves of the nervous system.