A new study found that seeing authentic, original art can help drop cortisol levels and reduce inflammatory load, among other positive effects on the nervous system. Fifty adults between 18 and 40 participated in “The Physiological Impact of Viewing Original Artworks vs. Reprints: a Comparative Study,” which was conducted by researchers at King’s College in London working in collaboration with the Courtauld Institute of Art. Half of the participants viewed five authentic paintings with their wall labels in a gallery setting for a 20-minute period, while the other half was shown high-quality reproductions of those paintings in a similarly curated setting. The data showed that those who viewed original artwork had higher heart rate variability patterns than the reproductions group, indicating that authentic viewing experiences contribute to a more receptive and adaptable nervous system. Post-viewing saliva samples also yielded a 22% cortisol decrease among the original art group, as we...