The University of Utah’s Applied Cognition Lab is leveraging cutting-edge electroencephalography (EEG) technology to explore the potential restorative effects of immersing oneself in natural environments.
EEG, employed extensively in neuroscience for purposes such as identifying abnormalities and monitoring brain function, is crucial to the lab’s investigations.
David Strayer, a professor of psychology and principal investigator at the Applied Cognition Lab, emphasizes the lab’s focus on real-time brain activity monitoring, even in outdoor settings.
“We primarily use EEG for our studies because it allows us to monitor brain activity in real time, even outdoors,” Strayer stated.
One of the main research projects investigates the impact of stepping away from digital screens to spend time outdoors.
Strayer explained, “Our research aims to go beyond the intuitive belief that ‘nature feels good’ and scientifically investigate how the brain responds to natural environments.”
As Americans average close to ten hours daily in front of screens, the phenomenon of digital saturation raises concerns about potential consequences tied to reduced outdoor time.
Participants in the Utah studies don a 32-channel, high-impedance EEG cap while engaging in walks.
One group strolls through Red Butte Garden, a serene botanical jewel situated in the foothills east of the campus, while the other group navigates an urban corridor near the medical campus.
Some of these walks include smartphone usage, whereas others are free from digital distractions entirely.
Elliot Smith, a professor of neurosurgery and team member, highlighted their objective to unravel the ways nature benefits the brain at its most fundamental level.
He remarked, “We hope that through the use of our cutting-edge human neuroscience employing VR and single neuron recordings from the human brain we can shed light on how nature benefits the brain at its fundamental unit, which could help bed-bound or nature-deprived populations.”
Initial findings reportedly indicate that exposure to nature enhances brain function.
However, these advantages can be hindered or completely reversed if individuals remain attached to their electronic devices while outdoors.
Strayer elaborated, “We can monitor how the brain responds before and after a walk.
And the data show that being in nature—without a phone—is significantly more restorative.”
Research conducted at the lab revolves around four distinct attentional networks in the brain: alerting, orienting, executive attentional network, and default mode.
Strayer’s focus tends to rest on the executive attentional network situated in the prefrontal cortex, a critical region linked to decision-making, planning, and creativity.
He pointed out that this network is particularly susceptible to fatigue due to multitasking and digital overload.
“In modern urban environments, the executive attentional network gets taxed,” he noted.
Conversely, he added, “But in nature, especially when you’re not multitasking, it gets a chance to recover.”
The lab’s studies reveal that experiences within a natural environment can lead to enhanced cognitive performance, increased creativity, and reduced emotional stress.
Notably, changes are observed in brain regions like the anterior cingulate cortex, aligning with age-old anecdotal claims regarding nature’s restorative properties.
The interdisciplinary team, including Smith, Rhiannon Cowan (neurosurgery), and Jeanine Stefanucci and Amy McDonnell (psychology), is also investigating patients with epilepsy who have deep-brain electrodes implanted for treatment purposes.
Due to their prolonged hospitalization, these patients use virtual reality equipment to engage with simulated urban and natural environments.
Strayer noted that while these patients cannot physically wander through Red Butte Garden, they can visually navigate a forest through VR.
“And because we know exactly where the electrodes are implanted, we can see which brain structures respond to nature,” he added.
Moving forward, the researchers aim to align their deep-brain recordings with EEG studies conducted in Red Butte Garden to confirm that time spent in nature invigorates important cognitive and emotional regions of the brain—even in virtual settings.
With mounting evidence supporting these findings, the team is now delving into more specific inquiries: What duration of exposure to nature is required to yield measurable benefits?
Do distinct types of natural settings elicit varying outcomes? How enduring are these cognitive enhancements?
Strayer expressed optimism, saying, “We’re starting to figure that out.
The data are pointing us toward a more nuanced understanding of how the brain recharges—and how we can design experiences and environments that support mental well-being.”
Recent scholarly articles authored by the Applied Cognition Lab, titled “The influence of a walk in nature on human resting brain activity” and “Immersion in nature enhances neural indices of executive attention,” have been published in the esteemed Nature family of journals.
image source from：attheu
