What the Heck is Neurographica? (And Why You Might Just Love It)

Krystal Mills Author

Learn what Neurographica is and why it may be the perfect creative hobby you didn't know you needed.

Ever had one of those days where you're feeling stuck, stressed, or just need a little mental break?
Yeah, me too.
That's actually one of the reasons I fell completely in love with Neurographica.

But what is Neurographica, exactly?

Neurographica is like art meets mindfulness meets neuroscience. It's a creative method developed by Russian psychologist Pavel Piskarev that uses specific drawing techniques to help rewire neural pathways in your brain. You've heard of those apps that build "neuroplasticity". Well, Neurographica works on some of those same principles around how neurons work, but while you're drawing. 

Here's the super simple version. 

You draw lines, curves, and shapes following the algorithm that I guide you through (the one that Piskarev created). The process helps your brain create new connections. It's kind of like giving your mind a chance to work through stuff while your hand is busy creating something beautiful. While you're drawing, you give your subconscious the chance to tell you what's been on your mind, just below the surface. And then it's up to you to listen. 

And yes, I know I'm an art teacher. But the cool thing is you don't need to be "artistic" at all. 

Like, at all. Seriously lol. 

The lines we draw most often are based on what actual neurons look like:

And so if you've ever said, "I can't even draw a straight line. Great - most of the lines we draw in Neurographica are squiggly, anyway. So you're golden."  

What makes Neurographica different from "just doodling" or other art methods, like NeuroArt is that it follows specific algorithms.

And by algorithms, I just mean steps designed (by Piskarev) to help your brain process information differently.

NeuroArt is also amazing and can help you with the mindfulness side of things. 

But when you're drawing with Neurographica, you almost always have a theme you're drawing about and you're literally creating new neural pathways while you draw about that theme. 

It's like your brain tries to find new ways of doing things you may not have thought of, at the conscious level. 

I teach visual arts (Math, too) and I came across NeuroArt searching for lessons for my students. After finding and loving NeuroArt I found Neurographica, but I had no idea what it was. I did some research, bought some workshops, and tried it out on my own. 

I was instantly hooked. 

It's not something I'd do with my students, but I thought it would be perfect with coaching clients and to provide in live classes, and online because of the amazing shifts I knew people could have because of it.

One of the things I loved about it most was the flow state I found myself in when I drew. 

Total ME time. 

I love making time for art as much as I can. But with Neurographica I wasn't just creating art, I was creating new neural pathways to work through things in my life- perfectionism, and building stronger habits with nutrition and exercise, for example. 

The more I drew, the more I came to see it as a way to visually manifest what I wanted. When you put something that's important to you - front and center...you focus on it.

You think about it. 

You talk to your people about it. You start to take action in different ways.

And over time, you create the changes you want to see. 

I loved the art I was making, but the insights, personal development, and transformation part is why I kept drawing AND why I decided to become a Neurographica Specialist- to be able to share the modality with others. 

In my next post, I'll break down exactly how Neurographica works in your brain (again, we'll keep it simple). 

Curious to read more? Awesome. 

That's exactly what you need to get started. 

Categories: : Neurographica Basics