Neurophenomenology, psychoneuroendocrinoimmunology and epigenetics: towards an integrative framework for understanding the health benefits of art and aesthetic experiences.

Abstract

The fields of neurophenomenology, psychoneuroendocrinoimmunology (PNEI) and epigenetics provide innovative and complementary perspectives on understanding the positive effects of art and aesthetic experiences on human well-being and health. Neurophenomenology integrates subjective experiential reports with neuroscientific data, offering valuable insights into how aesthetic experiences elicit positive emotional responses, alleviate stress and enhance cognitive and emotional development. PNEI, by contrast, examines the bidirectional communication among the nervous, endocrine and immune systems, providing the basis for investigating how specific psychological experiences, including positive ones, influence physical health. Epigenetics, in turn, can serve as a bridge between these domains, as the biological translator that connects environmental and experiential factors to gene expression. This paper presents a conceptual perspective as it proposes an integrative framework linking neurophenomenology, PNEI and epigenetics, aimed at elucidating how art and aesthetic experiences can promote health and well-being. By examining the shared mechanisms and pathways across these fields, we aim to outline their collective implications for scientific research, health promotion/disease prevention and clinical applications.