A new brain imaging study has revealed that watching nature scenes can help reduce pain by changing how the brain processes it.
Researchers from the University of Vienna and the University of Exeter found that when people viewed natural environments, their brains reacted less to pain signals, making the experience of pain feel less intense.
These findings, published in Nature Communications, provide strong evidence that nature exposure could be used as a non-drug method to help manage pain.
How the Study Worked
The research involved 49 participants in Austria who were placed in an fMRI scanner while receiving small electric shocks. While experiencing this mild pain, they watched different videos: some showing natural landscapes, others featuring urban settings or office interiors.
The participants reported feeling less pain when watching the nature videos, and brain scans confirmed that their pain-processing networks were less active.
To analyze the brain’s pain response, the team used advanced machine learning. They found that the brain processed pain signals differently when participants were exposed to nature. The raw sensory signals—the immediate, physical sensation of pain—were reduced when watching high-quality virtual nature scenes.
This study builds on previous research showing that people often feel less pain when surrounded by nature. However, this is the first clear evidence that the effect is not just psychological or based on expectations. Instead, nature exposure directly influences brain activity related to pain perception.
A Scientific Explanation for Nature’s Healing Power
The idea that nature helps with healing is not new. More than 40 years ago, American researcher Roger Ulrich discovered that hospital patients recovered faster and used fewer painkillers if they had a window view of trees rather than a brick wall. However, the biological reasons for this effect remained unknown.
This new study provides the first strong scientific explanation for Ulrich’s findings. It shows that nature changes how the brain reacts to pain, rather than just making people feel better emotionally.
How Big Is the Effect?
According to lead researcher Max Steininger, the pain-relieving effect of nature is about half as strong as that of standard painkillers. This means that while nature exposure should not replace prescribed medication, it could be a useful way to supplement pain management.
“This isn’t just a placebo effect,” Steininger said. “The brain is actually reacting less to pain when viewing nature. While people should still take any medications they need, experiencing nature may help improve pain management.”
Virtual Nature as a Non-Drug Treatment
One of the most promising aspects of the study is that the pain-relieving effect of nature can be achieved through virtual exposure. This could be especially useful for people who cannot easily access natural environments, such as hospital patients or those living in urban areas.
Dr. Alex Smalley, a co-author from the University of Exeter, emphasized the practical benefits of virtual nature. “This research shows that even watching nature videos can help people feel less pain. It’s an easy, accessible way to bring nature’s healing power to those who can’t get outside,” he said.
At the same time, Smalley hopes the findings encourage people to spend more time in real nature, not just virtual simulations. “Protecting healthy natural environments is important—not only for the planet but also for people’s well-being,” he added.
Why This Matters
This study opens new possibilities for non-drug pain treatments. With more research, virtual nature exposure could become a widely used method to help people cope with pain. Future studies may explore which types of natural settings are most effective, how long exposure needs to be, and whether other senses (such as sound or scent) play a role in pain relief.
For now, the message is clear: spending time in nature—or even just watching nature videos—can help reduce pain and improve well-being.
If you care about pain, please read studies about vitamin K deficiency linked to hip fractures in old people, and these vitamins could help reduce bone fracture risk.
For more information about wellness, please see recent studies that Krill oil could improve muscle health in older people, and eating yogurt linked to lower frailty in older people.
The research findings can be found in Nature Communications.
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