Researchers have long believed that exposure to nature could help reduce people’s perception of pain, and recent studies may provide evidence to support this idea. A new study conducted by a team from the University of Vienna and the University of Exeter, published in the journal Nature Communications, has revealed that nature not only alleviates psychological symptoms of pain but also influences the brain’s pain centers, as reported by SWNS. This discovery could pave the way for exploring non-pharmaceutical pain treatments further.
In this study, 49 healthy adults underwent fMRI scans while receiving mild electric shocks. They were shown images of nature scenes, urban scenes, and control scenes in a nondescript room, with researchers monitoring their brain activity to assess the impact of each scene on their pain experience. The analysis revealed that exposure to nature scenes resulted in a reduction of brain signals associated with pain, suggesting that nature’s pain-relieving effects may involve more than just relaxation but could actually alter the brain’s pain-sensing pathways.
Lead author of the study, University of Vienna PhD student Max Steininger, emphasized that this research builds upon existing knowledge of how nature can influence pain symptoms. Previous studies have shown that people report feeling less pain when exposed to nature. The findings of this study are supported by earlier research, including a study by American researcher Roger Ulrich, which demonstrated that patients in hospitals had reduced pain perception and faster recovery when they had views of green spaces compared to those looking at brick walls.
The study suggests that the pain-relieving effect of nature is authentic, although not as potent as traditional painkillers. The researchers involved hope to incorporate nature-based alternatives into pain management strategies, recognizing the healing potential of nature even in virtual encounters for those unable to access natural environments.
Dr. Alex Smalley from the University of Exeter highlighted the importance of protecting natural environments and promoting time spent in nature for both environmental and personal well-being benefits. This study provides valuable insights into the genuine pain-relieving effects of nature and underscores the significance of integrating nature experiences into holistic pain management approaches.
A recent study suggests that experiencing virtual nature scenes could potentially help reduce pain. This finding has significant practical implications for non-drug treatments and offers new opportunities for research into the effects of nature on our mental well-being.
