Van Gogh paintings Can Boost Your Health, Study Finds

Published: 28 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Van Gogh’s paintings recent study has revealed that experiencing art firsthand can have significant health benefits, reducing stress and positively influencing the body’s physiological systems. Researchers at King’s College London (KCL) have found that viewing original works of art by masters such as Vincent van Gogh and Édouard Manet can lower stress hormone levels, stimulate the immune system, and engage the nervous and endocrine systems. These findings provide compelling evidence that cultural experiences may have tangible effects on physical well-being, alongside their long-recognized emotional and psychological impact.

The study involved 50 participants between the ages of 18 and 40, who were divided into two groups. One group visited the Courtauld Gallery in London, where they observed a selection of five paintings, while the second group viewed high-quality photographs of the same works. The research team employed a variety of scientific measures to monitor the participants’ physiological responses during a 20-minute session, including sensors that recorded heart rate, skin temperature, and saliva samples taken before and after the viewing.

Among the artworks included in the study were Vincent van Gogh’s Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s Jane Avril in the Entrance to the Moulin Rouge, Putting on Her Gloves, Édouard Manet’s Bar at the Folies-Bergère and Banks of the Seine at Argenteuil, and Paul Gauguin’s Te Rerioa (The Dream). These works, spanning late 19th-century European art, were chosen for their visual and emotional richness, providing a diverse range of stimuli for the participants.

The results revealed a stark difference between the two groups. Participants who viewed the original works in the gallery experienced an average 22% reduction in the stress hormone cortisol, compared with just an 8% decrease among those who looked at photographs. In addition, markers linked to the immune system and associated with stress and disease dropped by 30% for gallery visitors, whereas no significant changes were observed in the photo-viewing group. This suggests that direct interaction with original artworks can produce measurable physiological benefits beyond simple visual appreciation.

Dr Tony Woods, a leading researcher at KCL, highlighted the broader implications of the study. “Our research clearly demonstrates the stress-reducing properties of viewing original art, as well as its ability to excite, engage, and stimulate the viewer,” he said. “Stress hormones and inflammatory markers such as cortisol, IL-6, and TNF-alpha are associated with a wide range of health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, anxiety, and depression. The fact that viewing original art reduced these markers indicates that cultural experiences may play a genuine role in protecting both the mind and body.”

The study also examined how art engages multiple body systems simultaneously. Participants in the gallery group showed physiological signs of excitement, including decreased skin temperature, elevated heart rates, and variations in heartbeat patterns, indicating activation of the autonomic nervous system. The research suggests that art can have a profound effect on the endocrine system, responsible for hormone regulation, as well as on the immune system, which plays a central role in overall health.

“This is an entirely unique finding,” Dr Woods explained. “Art had a positive impact on three different physiological systems at the same time – the immune, endocrine, and autonomic systems. We were genuinely surprised to observe such a widespread effect. In essence, art does more than move us emotionally; it also calms the body, reduces stress, and may support long-term physical health.”

Jenny Waldman, director of the Art Fund, emphasized the significance of these findings for the wider public. “For a long time, we have believed that engaging with art has profound benefits for mental and emotional well-being,” she said. “This study provides scientific evidence that these benefits are universal and accessible to anyone. Visiting a museum or gallery is not only an enriching cultural experience but also a practical way to support one’s health.”

The study’s methodology underscores the importance of seeing art in person rather than digitally. While photographs of artworks can provide visual information, they do not replicate the immersive experience of standing before an original painting. Subtle details, texture, scale, and color nuances are lost in reproduction, limiting the potential physiological impact. According to the researchers, these sensory differences may explain why cortisol and other stress markers dropped more significantly among participants who experienced the works directly in the gallery.

Beyond stress reduction, the study’s findings suggest that art engagement may have broader implications for public health. Chronic stress has been linked to a variety of medical conditions, including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. By lowering stress markers and promoting relaxation, visiting art galleries could serve as a preventative measure against such conditions.

The KCL study adds to a growing body of research exploring the intersection of art, culture, and health. Previous studies have suggested that creative expression, music, and theatre can positively influence mood, cognitive function, and overall well-being. The current research builds on this knowledge, providing quantifiable evidence that visual art, in particular, has the power to impact physiological processes and contribute to holistic health.

Public engagement with the findings has already been enthusiastic. Cultural institutions across the UK are considering how to leverage this research to encourage greater participation in the arts. Local museums and galleries may use the study as a platform to highlight the health benefits of visiting exhibitions, potentially expanding outreach programs to attract broader and more diverse audiences.

Dr Woods emphasized that the research also highlights the importance of making art accessible to all. “Everyone should have the opportunity to experience the health benefits of viewing original artworks,” he said. “Whether through local museums, national galleries, or community initiatives, these cultural experiences should be considered an essential part of public life, not a luxury for the privileged few.”

The study also has implications for healthcare and wellness practices. Hospitals, care facilities, and mental health programs may incorporate art viewing as a complementary therapy to reduce stress and improve patient outcomes. By integrating cultural engagement into wellness initiatives, institutions can enhance both emotional and physical health, creating environments that support recovery, relaxation, and resilience.

While the KCL study is yet to be peer-reviewed, it offers a strong case for the physiological benefits of art exposure. The findings suggest that original artworks have a unique capacity to affect the human body, from calming stress-related hormones to stimulating the immune system. The research provides a scientific basis for the longstanding belief that art nurtures the human spirit and now demonstrates that its effects extend to physical well-being as well.

In conclusion, the King’s College London study confirms what many art lovers have long suspected: encountering original masterpieces in person is more than an aesthetic experience. Van Gogh, Manet, Gauguin, and Toulouse-Lautrec do not merely captivate the eye—they engage the body and mind, reducing stress, boosting the immune system, and positively influencing hormone regulation. As Dr Woods notes, “Art doesn’t just move us emotionally—it calms the body, too.” These findings underscore the value of cultural experiences and provide a compelling argument for making art galleries and museums accessible to everyone, as part of a broader approach to public health and well-being.