Dreaming allows a daily disconnect from saturating sensory stimulation. The breaking and shrinkage of the
dendritic spines in our neurons is a slow task, one that can be nurtured by
sleep. Sleep induced forgetting can allow new connections that arise in
unexpected ways -- ways unconstrained by memory.
The playful dance of memories and
surprising interrelations of thoughts is an element of creativity that is
difficult to characterize. However, the benefits of sleep can be appreciated
when looking at cognitive decline induced by lack of sleep. Not only are we
less creative, but we have distorted perceptions and behavioral changes.
One insight into changes of
physiology and its affect on artistic abilities can be seen with the changes
in Willem de Kooning's paintings as he contended
with Alzheimer's disease. The paintings became less variegated and he embraced
simplicity. However, art experts considered his latter paintings to be
appropriate parts of his oeuvre. His disease had been migrating from his
hippocampi to the upper reaches of his cortical processing. However, his lower
cortical hubs, where colors and contours are processed, were thought to be
unaffected. He created in a different way.
Sleeping's effect
on dendritic spines is an interesting peek into the physiological encouragements
for creativity. Dream on!
