Nature Nurtures Brain Health
Our subconscious stress response can wreck our health if we aren’t paying attention. I am a firm believer that our environment shapes us, and an occasional power down is crucial to maintain balance.
Intrinsic factors are things we cannot really control like sex hormones and chromosomes while extrinsic factors like environmental exposure and the gut biome are within our realm of manipulation. Environmental triggers like toxins can have a significant effect upon our immune response that can lead to immune dysfunction and inflammation. Additionally, carrying inflammation with a struggling immune system longer term can negatively impact your brain health. This is where the nature connection to brain health begins.
A study in Molecular Science examined a causal relationship between our brain health and environmental exposures. The study observed links between brain health and function within an urban setting and a natural setting.
The study specifically focused upon stress related brain regions during an hour walk in an urban vs nature environment. To validate and codify observations, functional MRI studies were used to measure participants pre- and post-walk brain function.
Results revealed amygdala activation decreased after walks in nature where in urban settings it remained static. The amygdala is part of the core neural system that processes fearful and threatening stimuli. This is your “stranger danger” response system.
Essentially there were no calming effects from the stimulus experienced in an urban setting. To further support the calming effects, immune, and brain health boosting properties of nature walks, Colorado State University published a study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science which observed the effects of nature sounds upon brain health. Water, Animal, and Wind sounds were studied and correlated with brain health outcomes.
The study showed reduced physical pain, enhanced mood, improved cognitive performance, and lower stress with nature sounds. Further teased out were specific responses to a particular sound. Water sounds were best at enhancing positive mood and reducing emotional stressors while bird sounds were best at reducing irritability. The stress response globally effects immune function and brain health.
These environmental studies found a causal extrinsic effect upon overall stress response. On a grander scale, these findings support the Salutogenic Model which postulates health status is the outcome of a person’s everyday interactions in life. Social, cultural, physical, mental, and biochemical exposures influence our level of health and wellbeing. The stress response globally effects immune function and brain health.
The moral of the story here is to take that nature walk, soak in the sun, listen to the birds, and smell the roses from time to time. It does a body good!