What's happening?

Magicians do not like to tell their secrets. But now scientists have found a possible link between magic and mental health.

Scientists at a universityWhen people leave school, they can go to university to study more and get a degree. in WalesWales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is part of the island of Great Britain. studied 195 magicians. They were less anxiousWorried. than average. Fewer of them had certain mental health issues.

This is unusual. Scientists know that mental health problems are more common in creative people.³

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So could doing magic make us happy?

Magician Sara Crasson believes it has a positive impact. It helps young performers "overcome" difficulties and build confidence.

Writer Peter Ormerod thinks magic is special because it includes both a "sense of wonder" and a strong "graspHold. on reality".⁶ Magicians know what they can and cannot do.

Yes! Everyone wants to believe in magic. Magicians have a gift and a skill that comes from an understanding of reality, and they make other people happy.

No! Magic is all about tricking people. The audience enjoys it for half an hour, but it has no effect after the show. And magicians have to repeat the same tricks over and over again.