Nature Exposure Linked to Improved Mood & Brain Health, Study Finds

Brain Scans Link Nature Exposure to Improved Mood and Reduced Negative Emotions

You’ve likely heard the age-old advice—fresh air and sunshine are excellent for what ails you. Now, scientists at the University of Houston (UH) concur, measuring the impact of nature on the brain and finding that exposure to natural environments is associated with reductions in negative emotions.

With nearly 90% of the U.S. Population projected to live in urban areas by 2050, researchers emphasize the increasing importance of integrating nature into urban design and public health initiatives to support emotional well-being and long-term brain health.

Nature’s Impact on Brain Health

“Findings from this systematic review support the notion that nature exposure is a critical determinant of brain health and therefore brain capital. Promoting and maintaining healthy environments is critical to promote and grow the world’s brain capital,” said Jose Luis Contreras-Vidal, Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and director of the NSF IUCRC BRAIN Center at UH. He led a team in a systematic review and meta-analysis examining the impact of nature on wellness.

The team analyzed data from 2,101 participants across 33 studies, combining neuroimaging and psychological assessments during exposure to real, virtual, or imagined natural environments. Electroencephalography (EEG) was the most frequently used neuroimaging technique in the reviewed studies.

“Healthy populations showed a more balanced psychological response, with nature exposure being associated with both increases in positive emotions and reductions in negative emotions,” reports Contreras-Vidal in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. “Growing interest in how nature influences the brain has driven research toward understanding its neurophysiological impact. This interest has recognized that genetics alone cannot account for health risk factors and that environmental exposures play a substantial role in shaping brain health.”

How Nature Was Studied

The research team examined brain studies that utilized several different tasks:

• Imagery: The most common task, with images of nature consistently demonstrating significant positive effects on well-being. Eight studies reported increases in positive emotions, even as seven observed decreases in negative emotions.
• Virtual Reality: Eight studies used virtual reality (VR) to simulate nature exposure, all employing EEG. Six studies reported decreases in negative emotions, and five reported increases in positive emotions.
• Walking Outdoors: Five studies reported an increase in positive emotions, and four reported decreases in negative emotions.

Future Directions and the “Nature Rx” Concept

While studies combining psychological and neuroimaging techniques offer valuable insights into the neurophysiological impact of nature on brain health, Contreras-Vidal suggests further research.

“EEG studies should expand their scope to incorporate neural metrics like functional connectivity, while prioritizing standardization of real-world multimodal data for study comparisons and effective inclusion of AI,” he said.

“the goal is to design Nature prescriptions (Nature Rx) to promote brain health and treat mental illnesses across the lifespan.”

The BRAIN Center is currently conducting a study on the neural mechanisms underlying nature’s impact on brain health and wellness in Houston’s Third Ward neighborhood, along a green corridor, and within the University of Houston’s pollinator gardens.