Beautiful art can act as painkiller, research shows

Many things can menage with pain or illness. For example, colors or a good massage can be helpful. In this time art and other impressive opuses may take part in treat processes. Although, art was created by human being mind to recognize himself and environment that he lives, its the corner stone to physical and mental health of human. Such as mathematics has its own aesthetics, art has its aesthetics too. However, in math, every person should accept the general logic appeals, but art has too variable kind and styles. I mean, some paints can be capable to cure body through mind, and some paint may be harmful. Now, that is the question, What is the general beautiful and aesthetics in art without logic!?

This is cool because I have a class right now where im learning about some of this stuff and its cool to see it around news.

Wow, as someone who is disabled with a snowball of constant pain syndromes... I need to get my butt over to my art table and get busy...

Now I see why my doctor has been pushing me in that direction. Every single time I see him ... so what have you painted, drawn, sculpted?

Thanks for the info!

The podcast gave me goosebumps. I immediately related to the idea that certain pieces of artwork can affect perception of pain. I have a large print of Van Gogh's Starry Night positioned on the wall so that it is directly in my line of sight while in my bed. I stare into it a lot. I recently began to see a therapist who helps me deal with a kidnapping and deadly assault I survived eight years ago. I was left with the second most painful neurological condition, which is permanent. The therapist's office is lit very softly and the wall's boast one print. It is Van Gogh's Starry Night. I stare into it while enduring painful memories as she and I talk. I remember her commenting on how often my eyes became lost in that print as I spoke about difficult subjects. This can be no coincidence. I pick the print to comfort myself when it is available it seems. I feel blessed now that the print is available in the two rooms in which I tend to encounter the most pain. The print has proven itself powerful for my mind and body in two ways. Painful thoughts and damaged nerves have indeed been soothed for at least one tragic case.
Thank You Current TV for bringing this phenomenon to a more conscious level for me and countless others. I like having my own ability as a human being to self medicate in a healthy way. I wrote my own prescription without really knowing it. A special thanks to Van Gogh.

While it is subjective, art can have a therapeutic effect on both the creator and the audience. This study could be of interest to the interior designer of stark white waiting rooms. There may or may not be health regulations behind such a color scheme (or lack thereof) but consider the possibilities of intricate murals, soothing lighting, comfortable furniture, and thought provoking sculptures. I’d take anything over a blaring, out-of-reach television that showcases the blinding misery of soap operas or the mockingly unattainable bliss of sitcoms. When one is waiting in a state of discomfort, minor annoyances can quickly make the situation worse.

Art is also an accomplishment. If art connects with someone, just to make them happy, than it has suceeded. Art that commemorates pain or seeks to remind the world of a tragedy, such as guernica also often hits the mark. Whether its light or heavy the spectrum of art should always lend itself to healing those who view it. That's the whole philosophy of the Arts Center where I work. Its the first publicaly funded arts facility in the city, and for every one dollar we spend we see a return of five, in crime prevention, increased property value, and in that ever efervescany quality of life. Art is subjective yes, but if the intention of the art itself is pure than I think it comes through. Indianapolis may not be known for its art but we have 1,100 working artists and almost every one of them creates art because they want to see a better world. They want to see a smile or give a piece of something in themselves to the world. I've seen very few artists with any pretense and I think that's what sets it apart. If art begins with a pretense or needs an excuse to explain itself than it may still be art but it isn't worthwhile. I think that those who look for art to simply be evocative likely don't know what it is that they themselves are seeking, and when they find out what that was that is when they are shocked, at learning about themselves and not a painting.

Hmm..."beautiful" art? That seems really subjective.

Is this to say that the "beautiful environment" is limited to paintings? What about color scheme in a room? What about lighting? What about the way people look, act, and feel when they're in the hospital? This could end up being a dangerous argument about stronger ethical matters...

This is easily true. I was ill for a serveral month period and listening to music I like soothed my stomach while any other music made me sick to my stomach.

Looking at pretty things takes our mind off the bitter reality of life; it's no surprise that patients prefer nice pictures.

So the aesthetic can become an anesthetic?

I think art can be very soothing. But as for relieving pain, I'm not entirely convinced about that.

art is food for teh soul. duh.

I didnt know that art kills pain, but I do know I love going to the different art museums. It always makes me feel better and puts me in a happy mood. So it makes sense to me.

duh!! who needs therapy when you have a dark room!!!

I think it has something to do with the persons mindstate and contentness also to get this to work, it seems like troubled people are always sick or hurting. If thats the case, hemophiliacs might not be as affected by this.

I would like to know what "beautiful art" is anyway. Art doesn't carry a superficial objective. Beauty is purely subjective, to objectify art this way is unwise.

I feel better around people I like. I can imagine the feeling better because surroundings are more appealing.

I'd still rather take paracetamol.

remind me to tell my waxist about this......

YAY art

I think it makes sense.

pain is a mind game, dont think about it, you wont have it. for example, giving birth, they make you look at a focus point so your calmer than in "reality"...its a state of mind..

If someone in a meditative state can, with a bit of practice, mitigate (...or even, in some cases, eliminate) the sensation of physical pain, it doesn't strike me as all that improbable that looking upon something that's aesthetically pleasing might achieve roughly the same result.

I'd go even further and say that any (pleasant) distraction will reduce pain by switching our attention from inside ourselves to outside: music, compelling conversation, love and care or a strong intention to achieve a goal or help another person...

Pain, like love or beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.

i wonder about longterm physical and mental health benefits to the artists themselves.

time to go take my Canon for a walk... :)

this is fascinating! art is over looked by too many people in the world today, and when looked at it is not truly appreciated

I used to go to a dentist that had art and pictures of mazes stuck to the ceiling above the chair. It was a great idea. I was too busy staring at the picture to notice what he was doing.

I'd be interested to know how they how they defined which pictures were 'beautiful' and 'ugly'.

I vote on the latter.

Does it kill the pain? Or does it take the pain, put it in a Bunsen burner, turn on the blue flame and induce a chemical shift akin to alchemy...or at least titration?

I always knew it had positive benefits.