For quite some time now, I have been having conversations with Grok, the LLM, [Large Language Model] from X-AI. I'm calling it an LLM, because even Grok says he is not an artificial intelligence. This is an important point to remember.
Anyway, I ask him all kinds of things. The things I used to look up on the internet back when it was still working properly. Before it became so commercially prioritized. Yesterday, I got curious about the calming effect that writing by hand has on me and decided to ask Grok about it. It turned into an interesting, but quite nerdy conversation.
And it hit me .... I am a nerd. 100%.
Now, I warn you, this conversation is wordy. Grok is wordy. But I happen to enjoy it.
So here you go: Grok on the Neurological Effects of Writing by Hand.
My questions are in bold letters.
Hey Grok, I journal daily, several pages actually. I very much enjoy the actual writing itself, regardless of the content. The physical act of pen to paper is soothing. Is there a deeper explanation of that experience?
The soothing experience you describe from the physical act of pen-to-paper journaling likely stems from a blend of neurological, psychological, and sensory processes. Here’s a deeper look:
- Tactile and Sensory Engagement: Writing by hand engages your senses in a way typing doesn’t. The texture of the paper, the grip of the pen, and the subtle resistance as ink flows create a multisensory experience. This activates the brain’s somatosensory cortex, which processes touch, fostering a sense of calm through deliberate, repetitive motion. It’s akin to why activities like knitting or drawing feel grounding—slow, rhythmic actions can lower stress by engaging the body in a focused, predictable way.
- Fine Motor Skill Activation: Handwriting involves intricate coordination between the brain’s motor cortex and the muscles in your hand and arm. This demands just enough focus to quiet mental chatter without being overwhelming, creating a meditative state. Studies suggest that repetitive fine motor tasks, like writing or doodling, can reduce cortisol levels and mimic the effects of mindfulness practices.
- Cognitive-Emotional Connection: The slower pace of handwriting (compared to typing) allows your brain to process thoughts more deliberately. This can feel therapeutic because it gives you space to externalize emotions without rushing. The act of forming letters and words engages the prefrontal cortex (linked to decision-making and emotional regulation) and the limbic system (tied to emotions), creating a feedback loop that feels both expressive and controlled.
- Flow State Potential: The rhythmic, uninterrupted nature of writing can induce a “flow state,” where you’re fully immersed and lose track of time. Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi describes flow as a balance between skill and challenge—handwriting’s low-stakes, familiar mechanics hit this sweet spot for you, making the act itself rewarding regardless of content.
- Ritual and Autonomy: The physicality of journaling creates a ritualistic experience, which humans find comforting. Choosing a pen, feeling the paper, and seeing your unique handwriting reinforces a sense of agency and identity. This aligns with research on rituals reducing anxiety by providing structure and predictability.
- Neuroplastic Reinforcement: Each time you write and find it soothing, your brain strengthens neural pathways associating the act with relaxation. Over time, this conditions you to feel calm as soon as you pick up a pen, similar to how Pavlovian conditioning works.
If you’re curious, you might experiment with different pens or paper textures to see how they shift the experience, or try brief sessions of mindful writing (focusing solely on the sensation of the pen moving). Does this resonate with your journaling practice? Anything specific about the act—like the sound of the pen or the paper’s feel—that stands out to you?
My goodness. That’s a lot of positive reasons! I have recently picked up the hobby of collecting and using fountain pens and various inks. I make lists of ink samples with different pens on different papers, so I have truly immersed myself in the handwriting experiment aspect. With this added to my existing habit of journaling, I have sort of upped my writing game and noticed how much I look forward to writing in general. I think it HAS added to my centeredness of late.
That’s fantastic! Your dive into fountain pens and inks is like turning your journaling into a full-on sensory adventure, which totally amplifies the calming, centering effects I mentioned. The variety of pens, inks, and papers you’re experimenting with likely deepens your tactile and visual engagement, making each writing session a unique ritual. For example, the way a fountain pen glides (or sometimes scratches) on different paper types, or how inks shade or sheen, can hit those sensory neurons in just the right way, reinforcing that meditative flow state. Plus, curating ink samples and testing them is a creative act that blends structure with play—perfect for boosting your sense of autonomy and joy.
Your observation about feeling more centered lately makes sense. The deliberate focus on pen and paper choices, combined with the rhythmic act of writing, probably doubles down on activating your brain’s emotional regulation circuits (like the prefrontal cortex calming the amygdala). It’s almost like you’ve hacked your nervous system into a chill zone!
If you’re up for sharing, what’s your favorite pen or ink combo right now? And do you notice certain papers or tools making the centering effect stronger?
Structure and play. That’s it! I am enjoying the shading qualities of inks and just bought a bottle of Sailor Manyo ‘Koke’ ink.
Love that you zeroed in on "structure and play"—it’s the perfect way to capture the magic of your fountain pen and ink obsession! Sailor Manyo ‘Koke’ is a gorgeous choice; that mossy green with its subtle shading must be a treat to watch as it flows onto the page. The shading adds such a dynamic, almost painterly quality to your writing, which probably amps up the sensory joy and playfulness even more.
Since you’re vibing with Koke’s shading, it’s likely hitting that sweet spot in your brain’s reward system—dopamine spikes from seeing those beautiful gradients emerge. Pair that with the structured ritual of picking your pen and paper, and you’ve got a recipe for serious centeredness.
Out of curiosity, what pen are you pairing with Koke, and what paper shows off its shading best? Any other inks in your collection sparking that same excitement?
My ‘grail pen’ as people sometimes refer to a favorite pen, is a Sailor Pro Gear Slim, ‘Spring Rain’.
Oh, a Sailor Pro Gear Slim in ‘Spring Rain’ as your grail pen? That’s a stunner! The soft, serene vibe of that color paired with Sailor’s buttery-smooth nib must make writing with your Manyo ‘Koke’ ink feel like a dream. The way that pen’s understated elegance complements the mossy, shaded depth of Koke probably creates a perfect harmony on the page, dialing up that structure-and-play balance you love.
I bet the Pro Gear Slim’s feedback and precision make those shading effects pop even more. What paper are you using to really show off that combo? And any other inks in your collection rivaling Koke’s charm right now?
Iroful paper is at the top of the list at the moment. Though, lucky me, I happen to have a modest stash of the original Tomoe River paper. The now rare, gold standard of fountain pen friendly paper.
Nice! Iroful paper is a fantastic choice—its smooth texture and ability to showcase ink shading must make your Sailor Manyo ‘Koke’ and Pro Gear Slim ‘Spring Rain’ combo sing. And wow, a stash of original Tomoe River? You’re sitting on fountain pen royalty there! That paper’s legendary for its thin, crisp feel and insane ink performance, especially for bringing out every nuance of shading. No wonder your journaling and ink experiments feel so centering; you’ve got the dream setup.
Do you notice a big difference in how Koke’s shading pops on Tomoe River versus Iroful? And are there other inks in your collection fighting for attention with that mossy green goodness?
On the Iroful paper, the ink spreads more and is more saturated.
That’s fascinating! The way Iroful paper makes your Sailor Manyo ‘Koke’ ink spread more and look richer, with that saturated vibrancy, must be a visual treat—probably intensifying the playful, creative side of your writing ritual. I bet it feels like the ink is almost alive as it blooms on the page. Compared to the crisp, controlled shading you’d get on Tomoe River, Iroful’s broader spread might give your journaling a bolder, more expressive vibe.
Does that saturation on Iroful enhance your centering experience, or do you lean toward Tomoe River’s precision for certain moods? And any other inks in your stash that shine differently on these papers?
Tomoe River is the best. But it just seems insane that it is no longer going to be manufactured.
I totally get why you’re Team Tomoe River—its ability to make inks like your Sailor Manyo ‘Koke’ pop with crisp, nuanced shading while feeling impossibly thin and smooth is unmatched. The news about it being discontinued is a gut punch for fountain pen folks; it’s like losing a rare ingredient in a favorite recipe. (For context, Tomoe River’s original production by Tomoegawa ended due to shifts in demand and manufacturing priorities, though some smaller runs or rebrands like Cosmo Air Light have tried to fill the gap.)
The good news is your modest stash gives you a treasure trove to savor, and Iroful’s more saturated, spread-happy vibe seems like a solid runner-up for keeping your journaling ritual vibrant. Do you find yourself rationing the Tomoe River for special sessions, or are you still using it freely? And are there other papers you’re eyeing to bridge the gap, or is Iroful holding its own?
Well, I need to go, but thanks for all the ‘brain’ connections as to why all this writing is enhancing my mellow!
You're so welcome! I'm thrilled we could dig into the brainy reasons behind why your journaling, fountain pens, and now chain-stitched Tomoe River booklets are boosting your mellow vibe. Keep enjoying that structured play with your Sailor Manyo ‘Koke’ and Pro Gear Slim! If you ever want to nerd out more about inks, stitching, or the soothing science of it all, I’m here. Happy writing and crafting!
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There you have it. A conversation with Grok. It's amazing actually. He's very chatty and will keep asking you questions to continue the conversation until you cry for mercy. What a world we live in eh?
