Dr. Alberto Costa on Wool for Health
Last weekend, we were invited to attend European Wool Day 2026, co-organised by the European Wool Exchange (EWE), Catherine Phibbs (Irish Grown Wool Council), and Sharon Wells (Feltmaker, Textile Artist, and Educator).
The main goal was to record an interview with Sharon for a short documentary we are currently producing. However, when I received the conference programme, one particular panel caught my eye: Wool4Health. Having read about it on the EWE website prior to arriving, I was excited to hear from representatives from Cyprus, Croatia, Italy, and Spain.
Dr. Alberto Costa, EWE’s President and a world-renowned neurologist and breast cancer surgeon, introduced each speaker with unexpected warmth and humour. I was able to record a snippet of his introduction to “Wool for Health” (video below).
I was overjoyed to hear about the research – published just last year in the prestigious journal Scientific Reports – which utilised advanced MEG (Magnetoencephalography) to map the brain during the act of making. The study revealed that knitting and crochet produce brain connectivity patterns nearly identical to those achieved through deep meditation and yoga.
According to the clinical findings championed by Dr. Costa and his team, engaging with wool offers three distinct neurological advantages:
- Increased Global Connectivity: The brain becomes more “integrated,” allowing different regions to communicate more efficiently.
- The Flow State: The rhythmic, repetitive motion of stitching triggers the parasympathetic nervous system, lowering cortisol levels and reducing the “fight or flight” response.
- Enhanced Attention: Unlike passive relaxation, the “alertness” and “orienting” networks of the brain are sharpened, aiding in better decision-making and cognitive reserve.
Deep Dive Resources:
- The Science: Read the full study: Crochet increases attention through a requiring motor skill learning (Rossi Sebastiano et al., 2025).
- The Foundation: Explore the work of the European Wool Exchange (EWE).
- The Charity: Learn about Gomitolorosa Onlus and the “Lanaterapia” movement in Italy.
