Looking at nature reduces pain, study finds

Viewing nature could help people feel less pain, a study has found.

The neuroimaging study, led by a team from the University of Exeter and University of Vienna, found that people who were looking at natural scenes experienced less pain than those viewing a city or indoor office.

Exeter University said 49 people were given minor electric shocks to simulate pain while watching the videos as part of the research in Austria.

Dr Alex Smalley, university co-author, said it was hoped the results would serve as "renewed evidence for the importance of protecting healthy and functioning natural environments".

Exeter University said the research, published in the journal Nature Communications, involved a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanner.

It said while watching videos of a natural scene, participants reported less pain and scans showed a change in specific bran responses associated with processing pain.

Dr Smalley added: "This study highlights how virtual encounters can bring the healing potential of nature to people when they can't get outside."

He said the study would open new avenues for research to better understand how nature impacts the mind.

University of Vienna PhD student Max Steininger, lead author of the study, said the findings suggested the pain-relieving effect of nature was genuine, but said it was about "half that of painkillers".

People in pain should certainly continue taking any medication they have been prescribed," Mr Steininger said.

"But we hope in future alternative ways of relieving pain, such as experiencing nature, may be used to help improve pain management."

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