Creativity is an internal process of bringing into existence something new in order to solve problems, communicate, make connections, or add value.
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​Most of us falsely view creativity as a talent that we either have or don't. But research on neuroscience and epigenetics prove this binary wrong. Creativity is a skill that can be learned and enhanced. The brain’s circuitry is constantly changing by integrating new information to reinforce what it already knows or updating based on new inputs. It can be learned and improved upon throughout the lifespan.

This is called...

Not only does neuroplasticity allow for the brain to change, but engaging in creative activities can boost the brain's ability to adapt and form new connections, leading to improved memory, problem-solving skills, and enhanced creativity. Reciprocal relationship between creativity and brain health.

Scientists have tried to pinpoint creativity in the brain but it turns out that creativity is not localized but rather is activated throughout the brain and it is in the connection (of the whole brain) that creative thinking operates. This is an update from the previously believed right brain vs left brain theory.

Creativity can be considered a distinct brain function but requires higher cognitive processes that are hard to study. Scientists have found that creativity relies on a dynamic interplay of various brain networks.

The DMN is associated with default thought patterns that run on autopilot, responsible for our continuous stream of consciousness. We are using this brain network when we are daydreaming or letting our minds wander, and it is believed to generate spontaneous ideas. This is not goal-directed thought, but rather spontaneous thought providing intermonologue or commentary.

Neuroimaging studies tested participants' brain patterns while “at rest,” meaning they were not engaged in a specific mental task, but rather resting quietly, often with their eyes closed. Researchers observed blood flow in the brain to detect which regions of the brain were activated during rest. They found that a group of brain regions, primarily in the frontal lobe, exhibit lower activity levels when we focus on a specific task. In contrast, these regions show higher activity levels when we are awake but not engaged in a task. During these times, we might be envisioning something, daydreaming, recalling memories, monitoring the environment, thinking about the intentions of others - whatever we find ourselves just thinking about when there is nothing we are attending to.

Research on this topic is still relatively new, leaving many unanswered questions and a lack of clarity regarding the meaning of activity patterns and the significance of these connections.

The ECN is the network involved in high-level cognitive functions housed primarily in the prefrontal cortex. This network is active during cognitive tasks requiring attention, working memory, and cognitive flexibility.
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​This is also called executive functioning which is responsible for organizing information, decision-making, planning, maintaining attention, and self-regulation. This network also aids in task switching (adapting to new rules or goals) and helps to evaluate ideas and problem solve.

For example, let's say you go to the kitchen for something to eat. You may see chips and fruit as options. When making this decision for which one to choose, you may weigh various factors when making your selection, such as health or preference. All of these are evaluated through the ECN. You may even decision on something completely different, like a sandwich, and utilized the ECN to gather the necessary ingredients to accomplish the goal of making a sandwich.

​Although this network cannot accomplish multiple cognitive tasks at once, in healthy brains, it can quickly and efficiently execute numerous tasks as needed.

As you can imagine, many of these skills are utilized during the creative process, so stimulation of this region can enhance creative abilities. Practicing creative tasks can help to improve creative abilities and work in conjunction with the default mode network, which helps to improve connectivity in the brain, improving overall brain function.

The SN was once considered part of the ECN, but after further study, in 2007 it was determined to be a separate network with its own unique function. The SN monitors the activity within the DMN or ECN and switch between the two networks as needed. 
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​Imagine the SN as the debate moderator between the DMN and the ECN. As the moderator, the SN guides the attention of the debaters and the audience. The SN determines which network has the floor and the attention of the audience. The moderator only lets one debater speak at a time and, if successful, is able to transition between speakers subtly and quickly, similar to the way a healthy brain operates.

This network helps determine what is important and responds to relevant stimuli in the creative process. It guides behavior by directing attention to those stimuli. If you’ve seen the movie Inside Out, the salient network would be the switchboard the emotions use to direct the attention of their host, Riley. Those inputs influence Riley’s behavior by filtering stimuli from the environment, processing and interpreting them, and then attending to or ignoring those stimuli. It integrates signals from within the body with external stimuli, contributing to our awareness of internal states and our relationship with the environment. This network coordinates DMN and ECN like a conductor.

​The salience network plays a key role in processing pain, emotion, reward, and motivation in connection with the limbic system. In these cases, the moderator decides how much the human body notices signals involving emotional responses.

Dopamine is a key neurotransmitter in this process. It is the "feel-good" hormone involved in movement, behavior, cognition, motivation, reward, attention, sleep, mood, and cognitive flexibility. A lot of stuff, right?
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​Dopamine is part of the reward system that was designed to incentivize you when doing things you need to do to survive by releasing dopamine, which makes you feel pleasure. Then it motivates you to repeat behaviors that make you feel pleasure.

When you have the right amount of dopamine, you feel happy, motivated, alert, and focused, but if you have low dopamine levels, you may feel tired, unmotivated, or unhappy. You may also experience memory loss, mood swings, inattention, a low sex drive, or sleep problems.

​In healthy brains, our brain networks and hormones work seamlessly together and are balanced in harmony. The creative process works to maintain this balance by activating these various regions and hormones through a complex interplay of movement and energy within the brain, enhancing brain functioning and connectivity.

It is not uncommon for brain networks to become imbalanced and maladaptive, causing mental illness and neurological conditions. 

Remember the DMN is the autopilot mind associated with mind wandering, imagination, and memory. Here's what can happen when it is not functioning well:
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​Alzheimer's Disease (AD)
With AD, patients display overall reductions in brain activity in the DMN that correlate with symptoms of the disorder, such as memory loss. There is evidence that the disease begins to appear in the DMN before symptoms of the disease become apparent.

Schizophrenia
Some research suggests that for those with schizophrenia, the DMN is overactive, which causes some difficulty in shifting thought patterns away from the internally-focused thinking characteristic of the default mode network. Also, overactivity in the default mode network may result in difficulty distinguishing between thoughts and sensory perceptions, which could contribute to hallucinations.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
People with ADHD have atypical connectivity in the default mode network, which might be associated with distractibility. One hypothesis is that increased activity in the DMN may interfere with the function of networks involved in attention and cognitive control.

Depression
One common characteristic of depression is the tendency to ruminate (overthink) about negative aspects of life and ignore the positive. During rumination, the activity in the default mode network is increased, which exacerbates depressive symptoms.

As more research is conducted, we will get a clearer understanding of how the DMN is connected to various other mental disorders and how to treat them.

The ECN is the goal-directed network, responsible for focus, organizing information, planning, and decision making. Here's what can happen when things go wrong:
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​Emotional and behavioral regulation is a key component of executive control. This network could contribute to emotional dysregulation found in depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar disorder.
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​If the ECN becomes overactive, it could contribute to obsessive-compulsive behavior due to difficulty inhibiting impulses.
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​Irregularities in the ECN may correlate with a lack of focus or abnormal levels of reactivity seen in ADHD.

The SN is the moderator between the two networks. Here's what can happen when things go wrong:
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​If the SN becomes over- or underactive, it can mishandle network switching and emotional regulation, which can lead to negative outcomes.
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​When switching between DMN and ECN doesn't happen as it should, these symptoms can show up as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and schizophrenia.
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​With more research and understanding of how the SN operates, we can develop methods to correct irregular or maladaptive moderation of the various brain networks.

Dopamine signals reward and several things can go wrong when your reward system is not functioning well:
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​Low levels of dopamine are linked with ADHD and Parkinson's Disease. High levels of dopamine are associated with mania.
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​Both high and low levels of dopamine are linked to schizophrenia. This may be related to too much dopamine in one area of the brain while other areas are lacking. 
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​Dopamine is also connected to substance use and addiction. It's a complex relationship, but there are a few theories. Those with problems with addiction have a lower baseline of dopamine in their system and seek substances to increase dopamine levels.
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​With substance use disorder, the reward system is not as sensitive, so the activities that will typically release dopamine (necessary for survival) do not generate an adequate amount of dopamine, so the heightened levels are sought out elsewhere.
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​The impact of stress on dopamine is significant, so those who use substances may have heightened levels of stress, and substance use is a form of coping, although it exacerbates the problem.

Similarly, with prolonged substance use, dopamine receptors can become desensitized, which is described as tolerance, meaning you feel less of the effect of the substance and need more of it to experience the desired state.

Traumatic experiences can have a significant impact on the brain, affecting its structure and function, particularly in areas responsible for memory, emotional regulation, and stress response. It impacts the brain networks.  The majority of imbalances and cognitive impairments may be traced back to trauma.

What happens when the brain when traumatized...

Amygdala (responsible for fear and emotional processing) becomes enlarged and hyperactive, leading to heightened anxiety and fear responses. (DMN&SN)

Hippocampus (responsible for memory formation) can shrink or become less active following trauma, resulting in memory problems of distorted memories. (DMN)

Prefrontal cortex (involved in higher order thinking, decision-making, and emotional regulation) becomes impaired, impacting cognitive functions and impulse control. (ECN)

What seems to be happening is that traumatic memories are stored in the body and are triggered through sensory stimuli (like a sound, tone of voice, or smell). When triggered the SN flips the switch to change course to the DMN. This causes an experience of "going off line." You might experience dissociation like floating, an "out of body" experience, or confusion and makes it harder to return to the ECN.

This is why those who have experienced trauma have adopted protective measures such as avoidance of triggers, hypervigilance, or staying busy to keep the brain in ECN where is feels safe. Overtime, this creates an imbalance in the brain networks. Because the internally focused network (the DMN) does not feel safe. The imbalance to outwardly focus is needed to maintain a sense of safety and control and to disconnect from the self.

Traumatic stress and chronic stress can negatively impact creativity by affecting the activation of the ENC and DMN. Stress creates an imbalance, however, the degree of imbalance varies depending on how the trauma response manifests within each individual. 

Creativity is the vehicle that connects the brain networks through movement and energy, helping the brain function more effectively as a whole.
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​During creative thinking, both networks may be engaged, with the ECN facilitating the generation of novel ideas and the DMN supporting the exploration of abstract concepts and personal meaning.
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​In an art therapy setting, a way to introduce creativity to individuals or groups is to go through divergent and convergent thinking tasks as a way to informally set a baseline for creative ability.

Convergent and divergent thinking are two types of creative thinking. Convergent thinking is a process in which you start with two or more things and then combine them to find a single solution by narrowing down multiple possibilities through logical reasoning and evaluation. Divergent thinking is the opposite, which involves generating a wide range of ideas from a single stimulus.

Convergent Thinking Drawing Tasks

​Shapes Drawing:
For this task, all you need is something to draw with and something to draw on.
Start by choosing two different shapes. Then put them together to create something. Do it and see what you come up with.

The ECN is activated when you select the shapes and when you draw them. Then, when asked to create something out of those shapes, you may use the DMN to let your mind imagine what these shapes may be. Then your brain switches back to ECN when you execute your idea. One strategy is to look around the room for inspiration. Another is to create mental images of things that match the given criteria. The DMN is activated when you imagine things in your mind, and the ECN is activated when you organize the information and plan for execution.