A study by Drexel University’s Creativity Research Lab demonstrates that achieving a creative flow state, or “being in the zone,” depends on having extensive experience in a domain and the ability to release control, allowing the brain to operate with minimal conscious oversight. This was evidenced by neuroimaging of jazz musicians improvising, revealing that high levels of experience and reduced executive control activity in the brain are key to entering flow states. Inner views of the left and right sides of the brain showing areas of reduced brain activity when the high-experience musicians were in a high-flow state (compared to a low-flow state). These areas include key nodes of the brain’s default-mode network. Credit: Image provided by John Kounios, PhD, of Drexel University Drexel University postdoctoral researcher Yongtaek Oh playing the guitar while his electroencephalograms (EEGs) are recorded in Drexel University’s Creativity Research Laboratory. Credit: Image provided by John Kounios, PhD, of Drexel University Front-view of the brain. The jazz musicians showed reduced activity in these frontal-lobe areas when in a high-flow state. Credit: Image provided by John Kounios, PhD, of Drexel University
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