{"id":19572,"date":"2025-03-17T06:00:51","date_gmt":"2025-03-17T06:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/interhospi.com\/?p=19572"},"modified":"2025-03-13T17:55:32","modified_gmt":"2025-03-13T17:55:32","slug":"nature-therapy-shown-to-reduce-pain-signals-in-the-brain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/interhospi.com\/nature-therapy-shown-to-reduce-pain-signals-in-the-brain\/","title":{"rendered":"Nature therapy shown to reduce pain signals in the brain"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>

<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>
\n

Nature therapy shown to reduce pain signals in the brain<\/h1>\/ in Analgesia<\/a>, E-News<\/a>, Editors' Picks<\/a>, Neurology<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/header>\n<\/div><\/section>
\n

New research demonstrates that exposure to nature scenes significantly reduces both pain perception and associated brain activity. This groundbreaking study provides neurological evidence for nature\u2019s analgesic effects, suggesting that even virtual nature experiences may serve as an effective complementary approach to traditional pain management strategies.<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Nature<\/p>\n

A pioneering study published in Nature Communications<\/em> has revealed compelling evidence that exposure to natural environments can alleviate acute physical pain by directly modulating pain-related neural signals in the brain. Led by researchers at the University of Vienna, the study demonstrates that simply watching videos of nature scenes can significantly reduce both the perceived intensity and unpleasantness of pain.<\/p>\n

Neurological basis of nature\u2019s analgesic effects<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The research team, headed by doctoral student Max Steininger from the University of Vienna, employed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to explore how nature exposure influences pain processing at the neurological level. Participants experiencing acute pain were shown three different types of videos: natural scenes, indoor environments, and urban settings.<\/p>\n

\u201cPain processing is a complex phenomenon,\u201d explains Steininger. \u201cIn order to better understand it and identify treatment options, Steininger and his colleagues investigated how nature exposure influences pain: participants suffering from pain were shown three types of videos: a nature scene, an indoor scene, and an urban scene.\u201d<\/p>\n

The results were remarkable. When viewing nature scenes, participants not only reported experiencing less pain but also showed measurably reduced activity in brain regions associated with pain processing. This reduction in both subjective pain ratings and objective neural responses provides strong evidence for nature\u2019s analgesic effects.<\/p>\n

Affecting the fundamental pain signal<\/strong><\/h3>\n

What makes this study particularly significant is that it reveals how nature exposure influences pain at its most basic neurological level. Unlike placebo effects, which primarily alter our emotional response to pain, the researchers found that viewing nature scenes actually changed how the brain processed the raw sensory signals of pain itself.<\/p>\n

\u201cPain is like a puzzle, made up of different pieces that are processed differently in the brain,\u201d Steininger elucidates. \u201cSome pieces of the puzzle relate to our emotional response to pain, such as how unpleasant we find it. Other pieces correspond to the physical signals underlying the painful experience, such as its location in the body and its intensity.\u201d<\/p>\n

The study found that nature exposure altered the processing of these early, raw sensory signals rather than just modifying the emotional components of pain perception. This suggests that the analgesic effect of nature is less influenced by participants\u2019 expectations and more fundamentally connected to changes in the underlying pain signals themselves.<\/p>\n

Consistent pain relief across environments<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Claus Lamm, head of research in the group, noted that these findings align with observations from other ongoing research: \u201cFrom another ongoing study, we know that people consistently report feeling less pain when exposed to natural environments. However, the underlying reason for this has remained unclear \u2013 until now. Our study suggests that the brain reacts less to both the physical source and the intensity of the pain.\u201d<\/p>\n

This research represents the first collaboration between neuroscientists and environmental psychologists at the University of Vienna, bringing together diverse expertise to explore the intersection of natural environments and human health.<\/p>\n

Virtual nature offers accessible pain relief<\/strong><\/h3>\n

One of the most promising aspects of this research is that the pain-relieving effects were observed through simple video exposure to natural scenes. This finding has significant implications for practical applications in pain management, suggesting that physical presence in natural environments may not be necessary to derive analgesic benefits.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fact that this effect was observed by simply watching nature videos suggests that taking a walk outdoors may not be necessary,\u201d the researchers point out. \u201cVirtual nature \u2013 such as videos or virtual reality \u2013 appears to be effective as well. This opens up a wide range of possible applications in both the private and medical sectors, providing people with a simple and accessible way to relieve their pain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Such accessibility could be particularly valuable for individuals with mobility limitations or those in clinical settings where direct access to natural environments is restricted.<\/p>\n

Implications for pain management strategies<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The study provides compelling support for the integration of nature-based therapeutic approaches as complementary strategies in pain management protocols. The findings suggest that exposure to natural environments\u2014whether real or virtual\u2014could serve as a non-pharmacological intervention to help mitigate pain perception.<\/p>\n

For healthcare providers and individuals dealing with chronic or acute pain conditions, these results offer an evidence-based rationale for incorporating nature exposure into comprehensive pain management strategies. The non-invasive, readily available, and cost-effective nature of this intervention makes it particularly attractive as a complementary approach to existing pain treatments.<\/p>\n

This research was conducted through international collaboration involving researchers from the University of Vienna, the Universities of Exeter and Birmingham (UK), and the Max Planck Institute for Human Development. The interdisciplinary team brought together expertise from neuroscience and environmental psychology to investigate this phenomenon comprehensively for the first time.<\/p>\n

Claus Lamm and Mathew White, key researchers on the project, are also members of the Environment and Climate Research Hub at the University of Vienna, an interdisciplinary initiative focused on addressing pressing environmental challenges through collaborative scientific research.<\/p>\n

Reference:<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Steininger, M. O., White, M. P., Lengersdorff, L., Zhang, L., Smalley, A. J., K\u00fchn, S., & Lamm, C. (2025). Nature exposure induces analgesic effects by acting on nociception-related neural processing. Nature Communications<\/em>. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-025-56870-2<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>
\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>
\n