Neurobiology of Beauty

NeuroscienceThe human brain is one of the most complex and fascinating s... More highlights the importance of cultural participation for individual well-being, showing how cultural events influence brain activity, structure, and biochemistry, particularly in areas related to pleasure and reward. Neuroaesthetics studies the activation of specific neural structures and the regulation of neurotransmitters linked to beauty and well-being. Although beauty remains a subjective experience, neuroscience investigates the neural mechanisms involved in the aesthetic experience. Brain imaging techniques reveal the activation of the orbitofrontal cortex and caudate nucleus during the processing of pleasurable stimuli, linking beauty to romantic love. Furthermore, mirror neuronsMirror neurons represent one of the most important discoveri... More in the frontal lobe enable empathyEmpathy is a fundamental skill that allows us to connect wit... More and observational learningThe term learning—with the synonyms to learn, assimilate, ... More, contributing to social interaction and understanding of others’ emotions. These discoveries expand the understanding of brain processes related to aesthetic experience and social behavior.

The Contribution of Neuroscience to Cultural Welfare

The role of neuroscience is very important for raising awareness about the significance of cultural participation for an individual’s well-being. Scientific studies can demonstrate how regularly taking part in cultural events can influence the activity, structure, and biochemistry of brain structures responsible for pleasure and reward sensation. Investigation of neural data allows us to ascertain whether repeated exposure to artistic stimuli has particular effects on the brain. This could involve the activation of specific neural structures or increased connectivity, regulation of neurotransmitter release, or an increase in cortical volume in specific brain areas.

Neuroaesthetics

To date, neuroscientists have been able to delve into only some aspects concerning neural structures dedicated to beauty and the perception of well-being. These areas form the basis of the discipline known as neuroaesthetics, which

was born to understand more about how the brain works, not to define what beauty is, which is an abstract experience, let’s not forget. Neurobiology allows us to investigate the brain mechanisms responsible for what we feel when observing a beautiful painting, listening to passionate music, or even in more refined situations, as happens for mathematicians, facing the aesthetic pleasure of formulas and theorems. As neurobiology researchers, we cannot define beauty, because it is not something that can be formalized by conducting experiments and observing the results, as the scientific method requires. However, we can ask a simple question: what are the neural mechanisms involved in the experience of beauty. By doing this, new horizons open up in understanding the neuronal mechanisms involved in an experience that is enormously important for humans. For us, this is what matters. At the same time, however, we cannot exclude that the results we obtain may also tell us something about beauty, for those who have ears to hear[1].

Neuroanatomy of Enjoying Beauty

When a person attends a cultural event or enjoys a work of art, a series of stimuli are activated. These stimuli correspond to precise brain activity, changes in connectivity, and release of neurochemical substances. It is possible to analyze what happens in the brain using techniques generally employed for clinical diagnostics.

Thanks to these tools, it has been observed that the evaluation, processing, and choice of something pleasing stimulate brain centers of pleasure and reward, such as the orbitofrontal cortex and the caudate nucleus. When neuronal activity in a brain area is particularly high, blood flow and metabolism increase in that area. Therefore, brain imaging techniques provide an indication of the brain areas activated when a subject performs a certain action or is exposed to a specific stimulus. The orbitofrontal cortex is located in the frontal part of the brain and is very important as it is related to personality, emotions, and social conduct.

Being connected to the limbic systemThe limbic system is a key region of the brain, responsible ... More and the amygdala"The amygdala is a gray matter structure named after its cha... More, the orbitofrontal cortex articulates emotions related to social behaviors such as aggressiveness, lack of respect, and the ability to coexist while promoting appropriate interactions with others. Here, a sort of “monitoring system” also seems to be located. This allows the individual to behave appropriately based on the context in which they find themselves. Behaviors depending on rewards or punishments are also mediated by the orbitofrontal cortex. The caudate nucleus, on the other hand, is located near the center of the brain, and its functions are related to learning, memoryMemory is a fundamental cognitive function that consists in ... More, and motor control. During analyses, researchers observed that the caudate nucleus increased its activity proportionally to the perceived visual beauty of a painting.

Researchers previously discovered that the caudate nucleus was linked to romantic love, suggesting that there is a neural connectionConnection: the human need that precedes all technology Conn... More between beauty and love. Mention should also be made of mirror neuron activity, largely located in the frontal lobe. These neurons are involuntarily activated both when an individual performs a goal-directed action and when observing the same action performed by another. Mirror neurons allow empathy with the person performing the action and learning that action to later imitate it.

Neuroaesthetics and Neurodegeneration Prevention

In the AIDA – Alzheimer patients Interactions through Digital and Arts project, funded by the European Union, Fondazione Patrizio Paoletti is engaged in the social application of neuroscience research. The initiative aims to investigate how experiencing beauty acts as a protective and preventive factor against neurodegeneration. More information is available here: https://fondazionepatriziopaoletti.org/i-video-sulla-neurodegenerazione/presentazione-progetto-aida/

[1] DA ROLD, C., Brain and Beauty. Interview with Semir Zeki, Scienzainrete. Il gruppo 2003 per la ricerca scientifica, [https://www.scienzainrete.it/articolo/cervello-e-bellezza-intervista-semir-zeki/cristina-darold/2017-12-04]

Giorgia Marchionni is the Coordinator and Project Manager of CRHACK LAB. After a bachelor’s degree in Cultural Heritage and Activities (Università degli Studi di Perugia), she obtained a master’s degree in Cultural Heritage Management (Università degli Studi di Macerata) and a diploma at the School of Specialization in Historical-Artistic Heritage (Università degli Studi di Macerata). She works on national and international projects in Cultural Heritage, accessibility, and inclusion, such as ACCEASY – Easy to Read, Easy to Access, which aims to open cultural heritage to people with intellectual disabilities and use cultural heritage to promote social inclusion.

AIDA – Alzheimer patients Interaction through Digital and Art, which aims to create a methodology to help people with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers using art and digital tools. ArteMIA – Art as a Means for Inclusion and Accessibility, aiming to create a museum guide produced by people with cognitive disabilities. She is also actively involved in activities promoting Cultural Heritage.