PodcastsHuberman LabAMA #10: Benefits of Nature & “Grounding," Hearing Loss Research & Avoiding Altitude Sickness

AMA #10: Benefits of Nature & “Grounding," Hearing Loss Research & Avoiding Altitude Sickness
Huberman LabTue Aug 29 2023
Benefits of Nature:
- Getting sunlight in one's eyes early in the day is supported by dozens, if not hundreds, of quality peer-reviewed studies.
- Sunlight exposure early in the day helps set the circadian rhythm and improves daytime mood, focus, alertness, nighttime sleep, and metabolism.
- Viewing morning sunlight has positive effects on mental health, physical health, and performance.
- It is important to get sunlight directly from the source and not through windows or screens.
Grounding:
- Grounding is a practice of putting bare feet on the earth to exchange electrons with the earth's surface.
- There are theories about how grounding can improve mental and physical health, such as ion exchange or tactile touch sensation.
- Studies have explored grounding but there isn't strong evidence to draw firm conclusions about its benefits.
- While grounding may feel good and some studies show positive effects, it is difficult to isolate variables in nature that contribute to overall well-being.
Scientifically Supported Benefits of Nature:
- Spending 10 to 30 minutes outdoors in nature for three to seven days per week has demonstrated significant reductions in blood pressure, resting heart rate, improvements in sleep and mood.
- Being near moving bodies of water like waterfalls or running streams may have positive health benefits due to negative ionization created by those bodies of water.
- Negative ionization machines used indoors have shown some positive health benefits but do not reach the same level as being outdoors near moving bodies of water.
- Calming sounds, observing wildlife, green colors, etc. all contribute to the overall experience of being in nature but isolating specific variables is challenging.
Value of Getting Out into Nature:
- There are numerous positive effects on mental health and physical health from getting out into nature.
- The value of nature goes beyond isolated variables studied in laboratories because there are so many factors at play when experiencing natural environments.
- Isolating individual variables diminishes the overall value and benefits of being in nature.
- While there may not be specific scientific explanations for all the benefits, getting out into nature feels good and has positive effects on serotonin, dopamine, hormones, oxytocin, etc.
Conclusion:
- Getting out into nature as often as possible is valuable for mental health, physical health, and performance.
- Exercise outdoors can provide additional physical benefits.
- Nature is beautiful visually and auditorily.
- There are some studies on grounding but more research is needed to fully understand its benefits.
- The scientific method may not be able to isolate all variables associated with the benefits of nature due to the complexity and gestalt experience it provides.