Genetic connection uncovered between psychological disorders and artistic genius

In a groundbreaking study published in prestigious journals such as Nature Neuroscience, The Guardian, and The Verge, deCODE genetics has shed light on a fascinating connection between creative thinking and mental vulnerability. The research suggests a biological trade-off, challenging our preconceived notions about the relationship between creativity and mental health.

According to Kari Stefansson, CEO of deCODE, the study underscores the importance of thinking differently and embracing deviations from the norm. Stefansson notes that those who think differently are often labelled as strange, crazy, or even insane.

The study, conducted across Iceland, the Netherlands, and Sweden, analysed the genetic records of over 150,000 people. It found that individuals in artistic professions are up to 25% more likely to carry genes associated with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. In Iceland, this group was 17% more likely to carry those variants, while in the Netherlands and Sweden, the figure jumped to 25%.

However, it's important to note that the genetic markers in question only account for about 6% of schizophrenia risk and just 1% of bipolar disorder. The study also classified people as creative if they worked in the arts or belonged to a national artistic society. When explaining artistic ability, those same genes only cover 0.25%.

The study reframes mental illness not as a defect, but as a potential byproduct of a brain wired for novelty, abstraction, and divergent thinking. It suggests that the neurological flexibility that allows an artist to envision something new may make them more vulnerable to mental instability.

The implications of this research open doors for new kinds of treatment and support. For instance, using art therapy as a way to rewire certain neural circuits or using creative stimulation as a form of early intervention in at-risk individuals could be potential avenues for future research.

Moreover, the study calls for a rethinking of our approach to mental health. It suggests that we should nurture deviations from the norm instead of pathologizing them. The study also highlights that environment, culture, trauma, opportunity, and neurodiversity fill the gap in understanding the link between creativity and mental illness.

However, critics have contested that the study overstates the strength of the association between creativity and psychotic disorders. They suggest that the actual genetic connection is weaker than media headlines imply. Despite this, the study does not offer a definitive answer but challenges our assumptions, urging us to stop seeing mental illness and creativity as opposites on a spectrum and to start viewing them as different expressions of the same core trait: the ability to see the world differently.

In conclusion, the study by deCODE genetics offers a fresh perspective on the complex relationship between creativity and mental health. It underscores the importance of embracing diversity and nurturing unique talents, while also highlighting the need for further research into the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to mental health issues.