Photo by Jason Gooljar on Unsplash
What if one of the most powerful tools for your health has been hiding in plain sight? In this episode, I talk with world-renowned scientist Dr. Daisy Fancourt about the astonishing research behind her new book, “Art Cure.” From neonatal intensive care units to dementia wards, from immune function to longevity, the evidence is stunning: there is virtually no physiological system the arts don’t touch. If a drug delivered these results, we’d call it a miracle. So why are we treating the arts like a luxury? This conversation may completely reshape how you think about music, creativity, and your daily health habits.
Guest
Today we’re diving into the brand-new book from award-winning scientist Dr. Daisy Fancourt, called Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Save Lives. In this book, Dr. Fancourt distills the science that has mesmerized her for the past 15 years – scientific evidence for how arts can improve your health, stave off illness and disease, and help you live a longer and fuller life. Dr. Fancourt is Professor of Psychobiology and Epidemiology at University College London where she heads the Social Biobehavioural Research Group; and she’s Director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre on Arts and Health.
Notes
We discuss:
- Why the arts may be the “fifth pillar” of health alongside sleep, nutrition, exercise, and social connection
- Dr. Daisy Fancourt’s journey from hospital arts programming to leading global scientific research on arts and health
- The powerful clinical moments that sparked her research
- The science behind how the arts affect brain function, stress, immunity, cardiometabolic health, and longevity
- Why the arts aren’t a luxury – and what happens when societies treat them that way
- The decline in arts engagement and what it means for adult well-being and child development
- The concept of “active ingredients” in the arts — what actually drives health benefits
- Why screen-based arts may not deliver the same impact as live, participatory experiences
- Practical strategies to build a sustainable “arts diet” into your daily life
- How small, consistent engagement with music and the arts can become your own “daily dose” of medicine
Connect/Other Resources
Other episodes we mentioned or that you may enjoy:
- Ep. 223: The Science of Burnout & the Musical Tools That Heal It; with Amelia Nagoski, DMA
- Ep. 222: The Miracle “Dementia Pill” That Isn’t a Pill… But IS Lowering Costs and Improving Outcomes
- Ep. 192: Beyond surviving to thriving with the essential elements of well-being; with Julia Hotz
- Ep. 185: Loving Life… all of it – a journey with cancer, music, and healing; with Amy Camie, CTM-CCM
- View all episodes related to Science & Health
In-Episode Promo
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Coda
I ask all my guests to close out our conversation with a musical ending (Coda), and I’m switching up the question in 2026! For this year’s musical ending, I’m asking guests to share a musical tool that they wish more people knew about. This could be a book or blog, an app, therapeutic tool, or anything that enables them to enhance their life with music.
Dr. Fancourt shares her appreciation for listening to live concerts on the radio and what this means to her.
Closing Words
Thank you so much to Dr. Fancourt for joining us for this discussion and for putting all this research into a practical guide for all of us – whether we consider ourselves musicians or artists (or scientists), or not! As Daisy said, “[R]emember that the very act of reading this book for pleasure is an engagement in the arts. So by doing so, you will, at the very least, be doing your health some good.”
You can always connect with me on email (mindy@mpetersonmusic.com), Facebook, Instagram, X, or LinkedIn; and by signing up for my monthly e-Newsletter.
Thank you so much for joining me today. Until next time, may your life be enhanced with music.
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