Nature Exposure Linked to Reduced Negative Emotions

UH BRAIN Center study finds nature's impact on brain health and wellness

Mar. 25, 2026 at 3:14am

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A study led by researchers at the University of Houston's BRAIN Center found that exposure to nature, whether real, virtual, or imagined, is associated with reductions in negative emotions and increases in positive emotions. The team examined the results from over 2,100 participants across 33 studies that combined neuroimaging and psychological assessments, with EEG being the most widely used neuroimaging method. The findings highlight the importance of integrating nature into urban design and public health initiatives to improve emotional wellbeing, especially as the U.S. population becomes increasingly urbanized.

Why it matters

With nearly 90% of the U.S. population projected to reside in urban areas by 2050, promoting access to nature is seen as a critical public health and economic priority for improving emotional wellbeing. The study's findings support the notion that nature exposure is a key determinant of brain health, underscoring the need to prioritize healthy environments to foster 'brain capital' - the collective cognitive abilities of a population.

The details

The researchers examined brain studies that used various tasks to assess the impact of nature, including imagery, virtual reality, and outdoor walking. Across these studies, they found consistent evidence that nature exposure was associated with decreases in negative emotions and increases in positive emotions. For example, eight studies using imagery of nature reported increases in positive emotions, while seven observed decreases in negative emotions. Similarly, six out of eight VR-based nature exposure studies found decreases in negative emotions, and five reported increases in positive emotions.

  • The study was published on March 25, 2026.

The players

Jose Luis Contreras-Vidal

The Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and director of the NSF IUCRC BRAIN Center (Building Reliable Advances and Innovation in Neurotechnology) at the University of Houston, who led the research team.

University of Houston

The university where the BRAIN Center is located and where the research was conducted.

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What they’re saying

“Findings from this systematic review support the notion that nature exposure is a critical determinant of brain health and therefore brain capital. Thus, promoting and maintaining healthy environments is critical to promote and grow the world's brain capital.”

— Jose Luis Contreras-Vidal, Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and director, NSF IUCRC BRAIN Center

“Ultimately, the goal is to design Nature prescriptions (Nature Rx) to promote brain health and treat mental illnesses across the lifespan.”

— Jose Luis Contreras-Vidal, Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and director, NSF IUCRC BRAIN Center

What’s next

The BRAIN Center is working on a study to further investigate the neural mechanisms underlying nature's impact on brain health and wellness, focusing on Houston's Third Ward neighborhood along the green corridor and the UH campus' pollinator gardens.

The takeaway

This study highlights the significant mental health benefits of exposure to nature, even in urban environments. As the U.S. population becomes increasingly concentrated in cities, integrating nature into urban design and public health initiatives will be crucial for promoting brain health and emotional wellbeing across the population.