Neuropsychology of creative writing

Hello, friends!

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR BRAINS WHEN WE WRITE?

I had come to the conclusion it's good to know a little bit about the neuropsychology of creative writing since I'm a writer, and I decided to share it with you!

Let's get into it!

Im going to point out only the things contributing to creative writing, so apologize my oversimplifying:

HEMISPHERES

The LEFT hemisphere plays a role in language generation. 

The RIGHT hemisphere contributes to creativity, aiding in novel and imaginative thinking.

DMN 

The default mode network (DMN) becomes more active when an individual is not focused and the brain is at rest - while daydreaming, mind-wandering, spontaneous thoughts. It's involved in: introspection, self-reflection, envisioning the future. It's essential for creativity and plays a role in idea generation. 

HIPPOCAMPUS

The act of writing engages the hippocampus, a key brain region associated with memory formation and consolidation. This activation strengthens synaptic connections, promoting the encoding of information into long-term memory.

AMYGDALA

Writing can modulate amygdala activity. This region is central to emotional processing, and writing has been shown to contribute to emotional regulation by influencing the amygdala's response to emotional stimuli.

PREFRONTAL CORTEX

Writing regularly contributes to the development of effective communication skills, like structuring ideas or choosing words carefully. It has to do with the prefrontal cortex. 

This structure is also responsible for decision-making and goal-setting. This involvement enhances cognitive control and the strategic processing of information.

DOPAMINE & SEROTONIN

Writing is linked to the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. These chemicals play pivotal roles in mood regulation, motivation, and emotional well-being, providing a neurochemical basis for the emotional benefits associated with expressive writing.

BROCA'S AREA & WERNICKE'S AREA

Regions associated with language processing:

BROCA'S AREA contributes to the organization of thoughts and the formation of coherent sentences.

WERNICKE’S AREA aids in understanding and interpreting words.

ANTERIOR CINGULATE CORTEX

The act of writing requires sustained attention, activating the brain's attention networks, such as the anterior cingulate cortex. This way, writing can lead to improved concentration and focus over time.