Looking at original artworks can produce immediate, positive effects on the body, according to a new study led by King\u2019s College London and commissioned by the Art Fund, a British charity. The research, conducted in partnership with the Psychiatry Research Trust, claims to provide the strongest physiological evidence to date that art can lower stress while also stimulating emotional engagement.<\/p>\n
The study followed 50 adults aged 18 to 40 between July and September 2025, who viewed original works by \u00c9douard Manet<\/a>, Vincent van Gogh<\/a>, and Paul Gauguin<\/a> at The Courtauld Gallery in London. The same participants were also shown reproductions of the work in a controlled environment. Participants were monitored using digital wrist sensors and saliva samples to measure heart activity, skin temperature, and hormone and immune markers.<\/p>\n The results showed that cortisol\u2014the body\u2019s primary stress hormone\u2014fell by an average of 22% among the participants who viewed the original artworks, compared with 8% for those who saw reproductions. Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (stress-related proteins) dropped by nearly a third in the gallery group. <\/p>\n \u201cFrom a scientific perspective, the most exciting outtake is that art had a positive impact on three different body systems\u2014the immune, endocrine, and autonomic systems\u2014at the same time,\u201d Dr. Tony Woods, researcher at King\u2019s College London, said in a statement. \u201cThis is a unique finding and something we were genuinely surprised to see.\u201d<\/p>\n Researchers also found that participants demonstrated physiological signs of excitement as well as a reduction in stress when viewing art. Dips in skin temperature, more variation in heartbeat patterns, and higher overall heart rates were all observed in the trials, indicating bursts of what researchers called \u201cemotional arousal.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis study proves for the first time what we’ve long felt at Art Fund \u2013 that art really is good for you,\u201d Art Fund director Jenny Waldman said in a statement.<\/p>\n