Why we love nature: Essay on the human experience of ‘nature’ and the related cognitive and neurobiological mechanisms affecting our health and well-being

Meyer, Melanie (2023) Why we love nature: Essay on the human experience of ‘nature’ and the related cognitive and neurobiological mechanisms affecting our health and well-being. Master's Thesis / Essay, Biomedical Sciences.

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Abstract

An extensive amount of research found that experiencing nature is beneficial for our health and well-being. However, the mechanistic pathways behind these effects are not fully understood yet. According to the Biophilia Hypothesis we have an evolutionary and ontogenetic tendency to affiliate with nature, based on weak innate learning rules, that causes us to be fascinated by and emotionally connect to nature. Fascination triggered by the properties of natural elements, such as fractals, allows our directed attention to rest which relates to a reduction of our stress response (Attention Restoration Theory, top-down perspective). Moreover, our initial emotional response to nature mediated by the vmPFC is positive, also leading to a reduction of our stress response (Stress Reduction Theory, bottom-up perspective). Next to the direct effects of the experience of nature on our stress response, it is becoming increasingly clear that health at all levels: person, place and planet, is interdependent. A conceptual model called the Lovebug Effect explains how human-microbe coevolution can lead to human-microbiota feedback mechanisms that increase our biophilic drive and positive response to nature in terms of health and well-being. A holistic approach to our relation with nature is necessary to elucidate cross-talks between different systems and to foster opportunities for interventions to multifactorial health problems related to urbanization.

Item Type:	Thesis (Master's Thesis / Essay)
Supervisor name:	Zee, E.A. van der
Degree programme:	Biomedical Sciences
Thesis type:	Master's Thesis / Essay
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	10 May 2023 07:51
Last Modified:	10 May 2023 07:51
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/29727

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