08/09/2024
Discover how moments of awe and wonder can transform your brain, improve your health and enhance your everyday life.
By Paul Wright, MD, Senior Vice President and System Chair of the Neuroscience Institute, Nuvance Health
Experiencing awe and wonder can transform an ordinary moment into something truly magical. Whether it’s seeing a breathtaking sunset, witnessing an unbelievable athletic feat or marveling at the vastness of the ocean, these moments can profoundly impact your brain and well-being.
Wonder why?
Let’s explore the neuroscience of awe and wonder, the benefits to your brain and overall health and how to experience these daily. Plus, find out how Nuvance Health is harnessing these powerful feelings to help brain surgery patients.
The neuroscience of awe and wonder
The prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex light up
When we experience awe and wonder, several key areas in the brain light up. The prefrontal cortex, which controls executive function, becomes highly active. Executive function controls our ability to plan, focus and make decisions to name a few important processes. This part of the brain helps us process the significance of what we are witnessing and integrate it into our understanding of the world.
Experiencing an awesome moment triggers the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), which plays a role in emotion regulation and cognitive function. During moments of awe, the ACC helps modulate our emotional response, fostering a sense of calm and wonder.
The brain releases dopamine
Awe and wonder trigger the release of dopamine in the brain, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. Dopamine has many important roles in addition to helping you feel joy and satisfaction; this hormone is involved in movement, coordination and thinking functions.
The insula becomes active
Additionally, the insula becomes active, which is linked to bodily awareness and pain pathways, creating a profound connection between our physical sensations and emotional experiences.
Feel connected to something great
Research shows experiencing awe can reduce activity in the default mode network (DMN), a brain network linked to daydreaming and mind-wandering. This reduction can make us feel more connected to something greater than ourselves. In psychology, this state is often described as a “small self,” where our concerns and stresses are momentarily set aside.
The benefits of experiencing awe and wonder on brain health and overall health
Experiencing awe and wonder isn’t just about feeling good in the moment; it has long-lasting benefits for your brain and overall health. Studies have shown these emotions can reduce stress and anxiety, enhance creativity and improve mood. The release of endorphins and other neurochemicals during these moments can also boost your immune system, lower blood pressure and reduce inflammation.
Awe and wonder can also enhance cognitive function. By engaging with something vast and beyond our understanding, we expand our perspective and improve our ability to think critically and solve problems. This broadened outlook can lead to greater life satisfaction and resilience.
There are also cardiovascular benefits to experiencing awe. Lower stress levels mean reduced cortisol production, which helps maintain healthy blood pressure and heart function. This can lead to a decreased risk of heart disease and improved overall cardiovascular health.
Ways to experience awe and wonder daily
You can easily incorporate awe and wonder into your daily life. Here are some simple ways to experience these extraordinary feelings:
Walk in nature: Spend time in nature, whether it’s a park, a beach or your backyard. Notice the details — the colors, the sounds and the smells.
Mindful observation: Take a few moments each day to observe something beautiful or intriguing. It could be a vibrant flower unfolding its petals in bloom, a colorful bird effortlessly gliding through towering, green trees or the twinkling stars in the night sky.
Engage with music and art: Listen to music that moves you or visit a museum. Allow yourself to be fully immersed in the experience. As a photographer, I find awe and joy in capturing the world through my camera lens.
Ellen Griesedieck, artist and founder of the American Mural Project (AMP) in Winsted, Conn., believes awe is a powerful force that can unite and inspire. AMP is the largest indoor collaborative artwork in the world — a three-dimensional, 120-foot-long and five stories high mural. Nothing like it exists in the world.
Reflecting on her experiences at AMP, Ellen shared:
“Every noteworthy artist’s first motivation is to produce a sense of awe in their audience, and I’ve seen this power firsthand at AMP. Whether it’s through the towering five-story mural that honors American culture or a live concert that has everyone out of their seats, awe connects us — it creates a sense of comrades in arms with strangers walking in and becoming lifelong friends. The entire space comes alive and everyone leaves with a rare sense of possibility and hope. That’s the gift of awe.”
Learn something new: Reading about new topics or exploring different cultures can ignite a sense of wonder and curiosity.
Stay present: There are many unknowns, and simply experiencing life can be awe-inspiring. Stay present to experience the wonder of each moment and the amazement of life.
Related content: What happens in your brain when you experience love?
Practice gratitude: Reflect on the things that bring joy and wonder into your life. Writing them down can help solidify these feelings.
Nuvance Health uses VR technology to improve experiences and outcomes for patients having brain surgery
Nuvance Health recognizes the power of awe and wonder in enhancing patient care. In first-of-its-kind research at Vassar Brothers Medical Center, we are exploring the use of Virtual Reality (VR) to reduce anxiety in patients undergoing brain surgery.
“Anxiety can significantly impact patient outcomes, increasing stress hormones like cortisol, which can impair wound healing, elevate blood pressure and worsen postoperative pain and infections,” said Dr. Jordana Sandy, who is leading the study.
Study participants engage in VR meditation sessions before brain surgery. These sessions involve wearing a VR headset and experiencing guided meditation and visuals designed to evoke feelings of awe and relaxation. Researchers are measuring subjective anxiety reduction in this phase. They intend to measure objective changes in inflammatory markers and vital signs, such as heart rate, in the next phase of the study.
“Early results are promising, showing a decrease in anxiety levels among participants,” Dr. Sandy said.
Previously, we conducted a smaller study with neurology residents, where over 85% of participants reported reduced anxiety and recommended VR as a relaxation tool. This research has been presented at national and international conferences, and we are excited to expand its application to brain tumor patients.
The bottom line: Experiencing awe and wonder can be a powerful tool for enhancing brain health and overall well-being. By understanding the neuroscience behind these emotions and incorporating them into your daily life, you can enjoy numerous cognitive and emotional benefits. At Nuvance Health, we are pioneering ways to use awe to improve patient outcomes, demonstrating that even in medical settings, the wonders of life can be a crucial part of healing and recovery.
Dr. Paul Wright is a neurologist and stroke specialist at the Nuvance Health Neuroscience Institute. He is also the Endowed Chair for Advanced Technology in Neuroscience.