Back to Mental
Mental

Nature ExposureEvidence & Dosage

Forest bathing, green space — cortisol reduction, mood effects.

Evidence at a glance

Total studies
77
With abstract
43
Meta / Systematic / RCT
2
Highly cited
5
Publication years
2010–2026

Nature Exposure in the context of Mental

This topic is part of our "Mental" world. There you'll find methodology, evidence and the highest-impact levers — plus the order in which they sensibly build on each other.

Go to Mental

Top studies on Nature Exposure

Ranked by influential-citation count and publication year.

  1. A systematic review of evidence for the added benefits to health of exposure to natural environments.

    BMC public health2010200 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>There is increasing interest in the potential role of the natural environment in human health and well-being. However, the evidence-base for specific and direct health or well-being benefits of activity within natural…

  2. The Effects of Green Exercise on Physical and Mental Wellbeing: A Systematic Review.

    International journal of environmental research and public health2019n=25118 influential citations

    We aimed to examine the evidence for the proposed additive effect of exercise in the presence of nature (green exercise) by systematically reviewing studies that investigated the effects of outdoor or virtual green exercise compared with…

  3. Efficacy of non-invasive brain stimulation combined with antidepressant medications for depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

    Syst Rev2024n=135Meta-Analysis67 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>Antidepressants, noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS), and their combination are commonly used in routine clinical practice. Nevertheless, there is a continuous dispute regarding whether the effectiveness of NIBS in…

    Finding: In this meta-analysis of 18 randomized controlled trials, combination treatment with non-invasive brain stimulation and antidepressants was significantly more effective than antidepressant monotherapy for improving depressive symptoms.

  4. Proactive psychological programs designed to mitigate posttraumatic stress injuries among at-risk workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

    Systematic reviews2021n=4258 influential citations

    Background Public safety personnel and frontline healthcare professionals are at increased risk of exposure to potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTE) and developing posttraumatic stress injuries (PTSI, e.g., depression,…

  5. Mental, physical and social health benefits of immersive nature-experience for children and adolescents: A systematic review and quality assessment of the evidence.

    Health &amp; place201913 influential citations

    In this systematic review, we summarised and evaluated the evidence for benefits of immersive nature-experience on children and adolescents' mental, physical and social health. An electronic search was performed for English language…

  6. Effectiveness of training programs based on mindfulness in reducing psychological distress and promoting well-being in medical students: a systematic review and meta-analysis

    Systematic Reviews20234 influential citations

    Background Medical schools have used mindfulness meditation as a strategy to assist students in stress management. This study aimed to seek evidence regarding the effectiveness of mindfulness-based training programs in reducing…

  7. The effect of short-term exposure to the natural environment on depressive mood: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

    Environmental research20193 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>Research suggests that exposure to the natural environment can improve mood, however, current reviews are limited in scope and there is little understanding of moderators.<h4>Objective</h4>To conduct a comprehensive…

  8. The effects of chronic and acute physical activity on working memory performance in healthy participants: a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

    Systematic Reviews20173 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>Understanding how physical activity (PA) influences cognitive function in populations with cognitive impairments, such as dementia, is an increasingly studied topic yielding numerous published systematic reviews. In…

  9. Nature imagery's influence on ERN amplitude: an examination of Attention Restoration Theory using EEG.

    Frontiers in human neuroscience2025n=633 influential citations

    Empirical research on the mental health and cognitive benefits of nature immersion has expanded significantly in recent decades, building support for Attention Restoration Theory. However, the field still faces interpretive challenges due…

  10. The effect of virtual immersion in nature on hospitalization stress in psychiatric patients: A randomized controlled trial.

    Journal of affective disorders20253 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>Stress is not only a transdiagnostic risk factor for depressive and anxiety disorders but is also closely associated with disease relapse and treatment compliance in psychiatric care. The lack of access to nature in…

Frequently asked

What dosage was studied?
• Non-invasive brain stimulation combined with antidepressant medications (rTMS or tDCS plus antidepressants) (Not reported)
Are there safety considerations for Nature Exposure?
• Not reported

More topics in Mental

5-HTP

Serotonin precursor, mood, and Carbidopa safety.

Anxiety

Acute anxiety vs. an anxiety disorder, the neurobiology, interventions.

Ashwagandha (Stress)

Adaptogen — cortisol lowering, sleep, anxiety reduction.

Breathwork

Box breathing, 4-7-8, Wim Hof, pranayama — autonomic regulation.

Burnout Early Signs

Exhaustion, cynicism, dropping performance — spotting it before the crash.

Caffeine & Anxiety

Adenosine antagonism, individual sensitivity, cut-off strategies.

CBT

Cognitive behavioral therapy — the gold standard for anxiety and depression.

Co-Regulation

Nervous-system regulation within relationship — attachment, therapy, parent-child.

Cold Exposure (Mood)

Norepinephrine, depression, and mood effects of cold.

Depression

Symptoms, the monoamine hypothesis, lifestyle interventions, professional help.

Depth Psychology

Psychodynamic therapy, transference, long-term change.

Doomscrolling

Algorithm-driven negative info consumption — mood effects, limits.

EMDR / Trauma Therapy

PTSD, eye movements, and study effectiveness.

Exercise as Antidepressant

Aerobic exercise — efficacy comparable to SSRIs in mild depression.

Fight/Flight/Freeze

Stress-response patterns, somatic manifestation, regulation.

Glucose & Mood

Glucose swings, reactive hypoglycemia, mood stability.

Gut-Brain Axis

Vagus nerve, short-chain fatty acids, the microbiome's influence on mood.

Journaling (Mental)

Expressive writing, gratitude — reducing stress, anxiety and depression.

L-Tryptophan

Serotonin/Melatonin, amino‑acid competition and outcomes.

Lavender

Silexan studies, oral and olfactory — anxiolysis with a good safety profile.

Related topics from other worlds