Researchers from Drexel University in Philadelphia have explored a brain phenomenon known as the “flow state.” This heightened focus on a creative task often accompanies a surge in productivity. The findings were published in the scientific journal Neuropsychology.
Historically, scientists linked flow states to two major brain networks: the brain’s default mode network (DMN) and the executive control network (ECN). The DMN is associated with daydreaming and internal rumination when attention is not on an external task. In contrast, the ECN supports goal-directed thinking, complex problem solving, and helps keep distractions at bay.
Both networks can operate independently, yet they are not isolated. They interact in meaningful ways during creative work, with shifting patterns that appear to align with the demands of the task at hand.
Two primary theories have emerged about how flow shapes brain activity. The first posits a state of hyperfocus in which ECN activity rises and, paradoxically, directs the DMN toward the task at hand. In this view, intense concentration reorganizes internal processing to bolster task-specific attention (Source: Drexel University study, Neuropsychology).
Alternating flow theory offers another perspective. It suggests that the act of sustained practice builds a custom neural network that can operate with reduced reliance on ECN or DMN control. In this scenario, experienced performers rely on well-practiced, automatic processes rather than deliberate, conscious control (Source: Drexel University study, Neuropsychology).
The study involved 32 jazz musicians who improvised on their instruments while their brain activity was monitored using electroencephalography. The researchers observed that seasoned improvisers in the flow state showed diminished activity in both the ECN and the DMN. At the same time, there was heightened activity in brain regions responsible for processing auditory, visual, and motor information. These patterns imply that flow brings a release from conscious direction, enabling a more automatic, immersive performance (Source: Drexel University study, Neuropsychology).
Crucially, in the flow state the DMN did not appear to drive idea generation for these musicians. Instead, the researchers proposed that the musicians were leveraging neural networks they had built up through years of playing and listening—networks tied to their specific craft. This insight highlights how enduring practice shapes the brain’s readiness to explore creative possibilities without lingering self-monitoring (Source: Drexel University study, Neuropsychology).
Researchers believe these discoveries could inform new approaches to fostering creative ideation. By understanding how flow reorganizes neural activity, educators and therapists may develop strategies to help people access productive creative states more reliably (Source: Drexel University study, Neuropsychology).
In reflecting on these findings, scientists note a broader pattern: people who engage in creative thinking often tolerate idle time more readily. Idle moments can serve as a fertile ground for the mind to wander, eventually giving rise to novel connections and ideas. This observation aligns with everyday experiences of many artists and inventors who describe breakthroughs emerging after periods of relaxed thinking or gentle distraction (Source: Drexel University study, Neuropsychology).