Wired for Wonder: Neuroscience of Creativity

Welcome to the Creativity episode, part of Science Savvy with Carmen. In this episode, I explore the science behind creative thinking and how the brain fuels imagination. With my background in pharmacology and biomedical engineering, I break down the science behind creativity and unpack how it shows up in your daily life.

This episode covers the roles of the prefrontal cortex and default mode network, the surprising impact of dopamine on creative flow, and how certain brain states enhance idea generation. Joined by my friend Alicia, an artist and entrepreneur with a background in psychology, we look at how both science and lived experience shape creative expression. Whether you’re an artist, a science enthusiast, or just curious about where great ideas come from, this episode offers clear and engaging insights grounded in real research.

Science Savvy helps you understand the systems shaping your thoughts, health, and behavior. If you're ready to explore your body and brain with a little more clarity, you're in the right place.

Further reading and references:

Adnan, A., Beaty, R., Silvia, P., Spreng, R. N., & Turner, G. R. (2019). Creative aging: Functional brain networks associated with divergent thinking in older and younger adults. Neurobiology of Aging, 75, 150–158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2018.11.004
Kulisevsky, J., Pagonabarraga, J., & Martinez-Corral, M. (2009). Changes in artistic style and behaviour in Parkinson's disease: Dopamine and creativity. Journal of Neurology, 256(5), 816–819. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-009-5001-1
Weinberger, A. B., Green, A. E., & Chrysikou, E. G. (2017). Using transcranial direct current stimulation to enhance creative cognition: Interactions between task, polarity, and stimulation site. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 11, 246. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2017.00246
Chi, R. P., & Snyder, A. W. (2012). Brain stimulation enables the solution of an inherently difficult problem. Neuroscience Letters, 515(2), 121–124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2012.03.012