Key Points

Spending time in nature improves mental health, but its effects on the brain are still not fully understood.

Nature reduces the activity of stress networks in the brain and restores focus.

Nature changes the brain’s structure in a beneficial way.

Nature is relaxing, but what is its effect on the brain?

Have you ever gone camping or hiking in a national park and felt happier and more relaxed than you did at home or work? You’re not alone. Over the past few decades, numerous studies have shown that spending time in nature has many positive effects on mental health, such as reducing stress and increasing relaxation and happiness.

However, it is still not fully understood how nature produces these positive effects on us. One of the most important steps in this regard is understanding how being in nature affects the brain, the organ responsible for processing negative and positive emotions. In recent years, many psychological studies have been published on the effects of nature on the brain, but so far, their results have not been compiled to clarify the most important effects.

A New Comprehensive Review of Nature’s Influence on the Human Brain

In a recent paper published in the journal Neuroscience and Biological Behavioral Reviews, findings from biological and psychological studies on nature’s influence on the brain were systematically integrated (Acquainted et al., 2026). In the article, “Your Brain in Nature: A Comprehensive Review of the Neuroscience of Nature Exposure,” a research team led by Costanza Acquainted from the Department of Psychology at Adolfo Ibáñez University in Chile conducted a comprehensive review. A comprehensive review is a type of literature compilation that integrates psychological studies from a wide range of different methodologies to answer important questions in psychological research.

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In the cross-sectional review, researchers combined the results of studies that used different micromanaging techniques to assess the impact of nature on the brain. The micromanaging techniques used in the study included:

Electroencephalography (EEG): A method for measuring electrical activity in the brain.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI): A method for indirectly measuring the activity of active neurons in the brain.

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS): A method for measuring changes in blood oxygen levels in different brain regions, an indirect measure of brain activity.

Stretchmarks magnetic resonance imaging (SIM): A method for measuring brain structure, such as the size or thickness of brain regions.

In total, the results of 108 different studies were combined in the cross-sectional review. The three most important findings of this study are:

First finding: Spending time in nature reduces the activity of brain networks responsible for the stress response.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging studies showed that spending time in nature reduces the activity of the amygdala, a key structure in the brain networks responsible for the stress response.

The second finding: Being in nature refocuses on self and increases positive emotions.

Electroencephalography (EEG) studies have shown that being in nature alters the brain’s electrical activity, with an increase in alpha and theta waves. These waves are typically associated with relaxation and self-focus. Being in nature also reduces beta waves, which are associated with cognitive workload. Furthermore, EEG pattern correlation analysis showed an increase in networks associated with positive emotions and cognitive control.

The third finding: Being in nature changes brain structure in a beneficial way.

Living in nature or being in nature regularly is associated with an increase in both gray and white matter volume in the brain. The brain features observed with nature exposure have been linked to higher IQ levels and fewer attention problems.

The bottom line:

Based on the findings of the 108 scientific studies included in this comprehensive review, it is clear that being in nature is very beneficial for brain health. So next time you’re hesitant about going for a hike or camping trip, don’t hesitate!

Your brain will thank you!