Unravelling Stendhal syndrome: the intersection of art, emotion and neuroscience.

Stendhal syndrome represents a compelling psychosomatic response, characterised by intense emotional and physiological reactions to viewing art, that intersects the fields of psychiatry, neurology and aesthetics. Despite lacking formal diagnostic recognition, a confluence of historical anecdotes and contemporary research underscores its validity as a unique neuropsychiatric phenomenon. This review endeavours to integrate insights from various scholarly domains to elucidate the syndrome's clinical manifestations, neurobiological foundations and its cultural and psychological relevance. Through an examination of historical contexts, clinical case studies and the underlying neurological mechanisms, this article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Stendhal syndrome, thereby contributing to the broader discourse on neuroaesthetics and the profound impact of art on human emotion and cognition.