The Neurology of Performance
In this blog post, we’ll look at how the act of performing impacts neural makeup.
When I think about the development of confidence and what impacted me the most there is one common denominator: performance. For me, performance started when I was barely able to walk and we would have Bollywood dance parties in our family room. It went on to mean reading my work in front of the school as a kindergartner to dancing at Carnegie Hall. All of these opportunities made me vulnerable, gave me a chance to fail, and try again: growing my confidence.
Whether it was performing Frosty the Snowman or a classical Bharatanatym piece all of my performances were deeply rooted in my second generation Indian-American culture. I believe performance is a big part of culture, culture is closely tied to the study of anthropology and deeply connected to neural activity. Many studies have shown that the cultural experience can actually cause structural brain changes. (Neuroanthropology: a humanistic science for the study of the culture–brain nexus Juan F. Domínguez Duque, corresponding author 1, 2 Robert Turner, 3 E. Douglas Lewis, 2 and Gary Egan1, 4) I know that dancing to a live orchestra where you are constantly asked to improv has definitely impacted my ability to think on my feet. I believe that the neuronal connections made in those moments have affected my response to stress and ability to pivot.
It is fascinating to think that every culture has a variety of performing arts. Often, those that are ‘good’ at the performing arts later come into positions of power and influence. (Even some former presidents) The study of neuroanthropology and cultural neuroscience has examined this intersection between culture and the brain. I believe that as we examine the impact performance has on the brain and the role it has in culture, we will find that it actually impacts cognitive structure and neuronal connections.
I think as we consider mental health, especially anxiety and depression, performance could also play a big role here. I wonder whether cultures placed an emphasis on the performing arts because they were related to happiness and these individuals could handle stress. During performances, neurons are drenched in serotonin allowing for both the performer and the audience to feel energy and joy. After reviewing the literature, it is clear to me that performance, confidence and brain activity are all connected. I hope I will have a chance to further my thesis as I approach my college career.
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-culturalanthropology/chapter/performance/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2894669/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0079612309178032#preview-section-abstract
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.884929/full
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