The Alchemy of Words: How Poetry Heals the Mind and Soul

Creative Therapeutic

Research Article

The Alchemy of Words: How Poetry Heals the Mind and Soul

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https://doi.org/10.54963/ct.v1i1.1328
Abbas, M. S. (2025). The Alchemy of Words: How Poetry Heals the Mind and Soul. Creative Therapeutic, 1(1), 21–34. https://doi.org/10.54963/ct.v1i1.1328
Volume 1 Issue 1 (2025)
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Sohail Abbas
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Authors

  • Muhammad Sohail Abbas

    CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystems and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
    Department of Chemistry, University of Malakand, Chakdara 18800, Pakistan

Received: 10 April 2025; Revised: 30 May 2025; Accepted: 7 June 2025; Published: 13 June 2025

Poetry is not only an attractive and illusional bunch of words, it is an effective power that can heal broken hearts, sooth despairing souls, bring smile on a gloomy face and ignite flame of emotion that can lead to conversion of one’s dream into practical reality. This article explores the transformative power of poetry as a form of healing, blending ancient wisdom with modern scientific insights. Rooted in historical traditions, poetry has long been recognized as a therapeutic tool, capable of mending the heart and soul. Through a deep dive into both the science of poetry and its emotional alchemy, the article highlights how poetry rewires the brain, stimulates emotional processing, and fosters healing. By examining poetic techniques such as metaphor, rhythm, and imagery, we reveal how poetry creates emotional resonance and activates neural pathways that promote psychological well-being. Additionally, the article explores contemporary developments in poetic medicine, such as AI-driven poetry therapy, EEG studies on poetic trance states, and the rise of global movements like poetry pharmacies and community healing workshops. As a result, this article advocates for the continued integration of poetry into therapeutic practices, showing its potential to transform lives and enhance mental health in both individual and collective settings.

Keywords:

Poetic Medicine Emotional Alchemy Neuroscience of Poetry AI Poetry Therapy Community Healing Workshops Poetry Pharmacies

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