Pain as muse: How creative acts flourish in the shadow of struggle

1. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2026 Mar 19:106650. doi:
10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106650. Online ahead of print.

Pain as muse: How creative acts flourish in the shadow of struggle.

Khalil R(1), Frühholz S(2), Landry M(3).

Author information:
(1)School of Business, Social, and Decision Sciences, Constructor University,
Bremen, Germany. Electronic address: .
(2)Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Cognitive and
Affective Neuroscience Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich,
Zurich, Switzerland.
(3)University of Bordeaux, CNRS, Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, UMR
5293, Bordeaux, France.

Creative acts and pain involve complex sensory and emotional experiences
originating from diverse sources. These experiences suggest the possible
intersection of neural network models with learning roles and executive
functions (EFs) for both constructs. Identifying and characterizing these
commonalities may clarify the therapeutic potential of creativity in pain
management. However, several challenges impede our ability to reach definitive
conclusions on this matter. Therefore, we introduce these challenges, derived
from current research on each construct. Then, we highlight several components
relevant to each construct, including physiological mechanisms, neural network
models, learning rules, and the advantages of adopting a multilevel approach. We
also provide examples of how EFs’ impairments may relate to pain sensitization
in neurodevelopmental disorders and clinical conditions, such as attention
deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorders. Following these
outlines, we propose solutions to each identified challenge. Finally, we present
an overarching framework for future research that examines the relationship
between creativity and pain, building on these proposed solutions. This
framework, along with the proposed solutions, provides insightful guidance for
various therapeutic opportunities to manage chronic pain through creative acts.

Copyright © 2026. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106650
PMID: 41864252

Auteurs Bordeaux Neurocampus