Highs, Lows, and Mania: The Science of Creativity

Is the “mad genius” a myth??"or a scientific reality?

?From Ancient Greece to modern pop culture, creativity has long been linked to emotional extremes. But what does science actually say about the relationship between mood and creative thinking?

?Join Sheri Johnson, Distinguished Professor of Psychology at University of California, Berkeley and Director of the Cal Mania (CALM) Program, for a fascinating look at how our emotional lives shape creativity. Drawing on decades of research, Dr. Johnson explores how everyday mood shifts??"as well as experiences like depression and mania??"can influence different kinds of creative work.

?Along the way, she’ll share what this research reveals about nurturing creativity in real life??"from understanding your emotional rhythms to supporting well-being, sleep, and healthy habits. Whether you’re an artist, thinker, or simply curious about your own mind, this talk offers science-backed insights into how mood and creativity intertwine.