New research shows that it is possible that nature scenes reduce pain and could reshape how we think about pain treatment.
Watching videos of forests, rivers, and green landscapes might do more than calm your mind; they could also help reduce how your brain processes pain.
Researchers from the University of Vienna and the University of Exeter used brain scans to show that nature scenes reduce pain by changing how the brain processes it. The results, published in the journal Nature Communications, provide hard evidence that nature, real or virtual, could become a helpful tool in managing pain without drugs.
In the study, 49 volunteers in Austria were subjected to a series of mild electric shocks while researchers tracked their brain activity with a functional MRI (fMRI) scanner. Their responses to the shocks were measured as they watched different video scenes, including office spaces, city streets, and lush natural environments.
When participants viewed nature scenes, they consistently reported feeling less pain. But the real breakthrough was in their brain scans. The images revealed that the regions responsible for processing the intensity and unpleasantness of pain were less active when people were watching nature.
In simple terms, nature scenes reduce pain by distracting us and changing how the brain receives and interprets pain signals.
To analyze the brain scans, the team used machine learning—computer systems trained to recognize patterns in data. These tools helped identify how pain signals moved through the brain during the experiment.
The results showed that raw pain input (how the brain receives and processes pain) was significantly reduced during exposure to high-quality, carefully designed virtual nature scenes. This isn’t just about mood or belief. It’s measurable, biological evidence that nature helps the brain dampen discomfort.
Max Steininger, lead author and PhD student at the University of Vienna, explained that while the pain relief wasn’t as strong as painkillers, it was still meaningful. He stressed that people should not stop their prescribed medications. But he hopes these findings can lead to better future pain management strategies, especially non-invasive and drug-free ones.
The idea that nature scenes reduce pain has been around for decades. In the 1980s, American researcher Roger Ulrich discovered that hospital patients with views of trees from their windows recovered faster and needed fewer painkillers than those staring at brick walls. His findings were groundbreaking, but no one knew exactly why they worked.
This new study offers the first scientific explanation using brain imaging to back up Ulrich’s observations. It confirms that natural visuals can actually change brain responses to pain, not just help us feel better psychologically.
This opens the door for new ways to apply nature in pain treatment, especially in hospitals, physical therapy centers, and at home.
One of the most exciting takeaways from the study is how easy it is to apply. Unlike medications that have side effects or treatments that require special facilities, nature-based pain relief can be as simple as pressing play on a screen.
The study participants benefited from virtual nature scenes, meaning no physical travel or outdoor access was necessary. That’s good news for people who are bedridden, live in urban areas, or struggle with chronic illness.
Today, high-definition nature videos are widely available for free on platforms like YouTube. Apps, VR headsets, and streaming services also offer immersive nature experiences. In seconds, you can create your own digital escape from waterfall sounds to slow-motion wildlife footage.
This makes it easy to experiment at home, in classrooms, or medical settings. Even a short break watching clouds roll over mountains or waves hit the shore could make a difference.
More than 50 million adults in the United States suffer from chronic pain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That’s one in five people living with constant discomfort.
While this study used short-term pain (electric shocks), researchers believe the findings may also apply to long-term conditions like arthritis, back pain, or fibromyalgia. Future research will need to test whether regular exposure to nature scenes can help people with chronic pain experience lasting relief.
For now, incorporating nature into your daily routine may be a simple, affordable way to manage pain alongside your regular treatment.
Beyond the health benefits, the study clearly communicates the value of preserving natural environments. Dr. Alex Smalley, a coauthor from the University of Exeter, emphasized that healthy ecosystems aren’t just good for the planet; they’re good for people, too.
By protecting forests, oceans, and green spaces, we also protect our ability to use them as tools for well-being. Although the study used digital nature, it suggests that spending time in real outdoor settings could be even more powerful.
