In the modern world, marked by a constant rush and urban lifestyle, stress has become an almost inevitable companion of everyday life. In the search for effective methods of relaxation and improving mental well-being, we are increasingly turning to nature. One of the most famous approaches, originating from Japan, is Shinrin-yoku, or "forest bathing". This practice, which does not refer to physical bathing but to the conscious and complete immersion in the forest atmosphere with all senses, has been scientifically proven to reduce the level of the stress hormone cortisol, lower blood pressure, and strengthen the immune system. But what happens when access to a real forest is limited or impossible? Can technology bridge this gap? This is precisely the question that prompted a team of scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Human Development (MPIB) and the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) to conduct an innovative study.

Exploring the boundaries of virtual nature

Their recent pilot study, the results of which were published in the prestigious Journal of Environmental Psychology, investigated whether a virtual walk through a forest could alleviate stress and improve emotional state. The research focused on a key question: is the effect stronger when the virtual environment simultaneously stimulates multiple senses? Inspired by the therapeutic applications of Shinrin-yoku in Japan, the German scientists decided to test whether the beneficial effect of being in nature could be replicated in the digital world. Their goal was to create the most convincing and comprehensive experience possible, one that goes beyond mere visual observation.

For the purposes of this ambitious project, a high-quality 360° video was filmed in Europe's largest Douglas fir forest, the Sonnenberg nature reserve near Parchim. This video was not only visually impressive but was also accompanied by authentic sounds recorded on site – the rustling of leaves, the singing of birds, and the crackling of twigs. To make the experience fully multisensory, the scientists introduced a third dimension – the sense of smell. Using essential oils derived directly from Douglas fir trees, they created an olfactory backdrop intended to immerse participants even more deeply into the virtual forest world. This approach is based on the understanding that our perception of nature is a holistic experience that involves all our sensory channels.

Methodology and experimental design

More than 130 subjects participated in the study. Before the virtual experience itself, each participant was exposed to an acute stress situation through carefully selected images proven to induce stress. After this stress induction phase, the participants, equipped with VR glasses, were divided into four different groups. The first group experienced the full, multisensory experience – a combination of visual stimuli, authentic forest sounds, and the smell of Douglas fir. The other three groups experienced only one of the sensory stimuli: one group only watched the video without sound and smell, another only listened to the forest sounds within a neutral virtual environment to minimize visual impact, and the third was exposed only to the smell, also in a visually neutral environment. This detailed experimental design allowed the scientists to precisely isolate and compare the effects of individual senses versus their combination.

The power of synergy: Results that open new possibilities

The results were clear and statistically significant. The group exposed to the combination of all three sensory stimuli – image, sound, and smell – showed a significantly greater improvement in mood compared to the groups that received only one stimulus. In addition, participants from the multisensory group reported a significantly stronger feeling of connection with nature, suggesting that it is precisely the synergy of the senses that is key to creating a convincing and therapeutically effective virtual experience. Interestingly, in addition to the positive effects on mood, limited improvements in working memory were also recorded. Working memory is a cognitive function that allows us to store, process, and retrieve information in the short term, and its improvement indicates that virtual nature can also have cognitive benefits. However, the researchers emphasize that these are the results of a pilot study and that the effects are specific to the tested area and cannot yet be considered universally valid. Further, more extensive studies with a larger number of participants are needed to confirm these findings and to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms behind the restorative effects of virtual nature experiences.

Scientific perspective and future applications

Leonie Ascone, the lead author of the study and a researcher in the Neural Plasticity working group at UKE, highlighted the importance of these findings: "We can already say that digital nature experiences can absolutely produce an emotional effect – even if they do not replace real nature." Her words emphasize the potential of technology as a complementary tool for improving well-being, rather than as a substitute for authentic contact with the environment. Dr. Simone Kühn, the study leader and director of the Center for Environmental Neuroscience at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, elaborated on the practical implications. "Especially in places with limited access to nature – such as clinics, waiting rooms, or urban interiors – multisensory VR applications or the targeted placement of nature scenes could support mental well-being. Images, sounds, and smells of nature offer a previously underestimated potential for improving mood and mental performance in everyday situations," adds Kühn. Her intensive research work in the field of the environment's impact on the human brain further confirms these theses. In collaboration with colleagues from the universities of Vienna, Exeter, and Birmingham, she recently proved that even just watching nature videos can lead to patients perceiving physical pain as less intense, a finding published in a study by Steininger et al. (2025). This knowledge opens the door to the application of virtual nature in a wide range of settings, from hospital rooms to stressful office spaces, offering an accessible and effective method for stress relief and improving quality of life.

The biophilia hypothesis and the broader context

These results fit perfectly into the broader scientific framework known as the "biophilia hypothesis," popularized by biologist Edward O. Wilson. According to this hypothesis, humans have an innate, genetically determined need to connect with nature and other forms of life. Our evolutionary history took place in a natural environment, so our brain and body react positively to stimuli from nature, such as greenery, the sound of water, or the smell of earth after rain. In today's predominantly urbanized world, this connection is often broken, which can contribute to an increase in stress, anxiety, and other mental health problems. The study on virtual forest bathing suggests that even simulated nature, if sufficiently rich and convincing, can activate these deeply rooted biophilic responses. The use of a multisensory approach is crucial because it creates an illusion of presence that is strong enough to "trick" our brain and induce a feeling of calm and connection, much like a stay in a real forest would. In this context, technology does not serve as a distraction from nature, but as a bridge that, in the absence of a better alternative, can reconnect us with its beneficial effects.