Sting’s brain on music offers scientists clues to what fuels creativity

November 11, 2017

Poets and philosophers have pondered the quiet, contemplative times of reflection in our lives. Now neuroscientists are finding our brains are really on fire during these restful periods when the brain daydreams. People had assumed that since we’re not doing anything during daydreams, the brain would be on idle.

In fact, a network of activity takes place during daydreams.

Dr. Kalina Christoff is drawn to the study of how the default brain network fuels creativity. Christoff is a professor of psychology and Peter Wall scholar at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.

Christoff first became interested in daydreams during her childhood growing up in Bulgaria. She spent the summers wandering through orchards and fields, where she found that letting her mind wander was extremely enjoyable.