FLOW
Many studies show that mind wandering helps get
our creativity flowing. But why? How can we not
pay attention and manage to hit on an idea that's
just right? Scientists believe that mind wandering
might distract you from your perceived obstacles or
it may allow your subconscious to keep working on
the problem without your higher cognitive functions
getting involved. Mind wandering may also promote
your brain’s ability to restructure the way you look
at a problem, perhaps you will make connections
between two seemingly unrelated things and come
up with novel, creative solutions. Everyone’s mind
wanders, but then why aren’t we all creative
geniuses? Well, our biology may play a part too: in
one study, families who collectively scored higher
on musical aptitude and creativity tests were more
likely to have an extra copy of the glucose
mutarotase gene. The gene is involved in the release
of serotonin a neurotransmitter that promotes
neural connections. The extra copy increases the
production of serotonin and the brain’s ability to
reuse it.