The Science of Forest Therapy
Forest Therapy is not built on belief.
It is built on evidence.
Over the past 40 years, a growing body of peer-reviewed research has documented the health effects of structured nature immersion. From early physiological studies in Japan to internationally funded research programs today, the science of Forest Therapy has moved from promising to established, and it continues to evolve.
This page provides an overview of the key research areas, the health outcomes studied, and FTHub’s direct contribution to the evidence base through the Forest Therapy Institute Lab.
THE FINDINGS
What does the research show?
Physiological Effects
Studies consistently demonstrate that structured forest immersion reduces cortisol (the primary stress hormone), lowers blood pressure, decreases heart rate, and shifts the autonomic nervous system toward parasympathetic dominance—the body’s “rest and restore” mode. These effects have been replicated across populations and geographies.
Immune Function
Research has shown that time spent in forests increases natural killer (NK) cell activity, a key component of the innate immune system. The effect has been attributed in part to phytoncides, volatile organic compounds released by trees, and appears to persist for days after exposure.
Mental Health and Mood
Forest Therapy has been associated with reductions in anxiety, depression symptoms, rumination, and emotional distress. Studies using validated scales (POMS, STAI, PHQ-9) show significant improvements in mood states following both single sessions and structured programs.
Cognitive Function
Exposure to natural environments has been linked to improvements in attention, working memory, and cognitive restoration, consistent with Attention Restoration Theory (ART). These findings have particular relevance for populations experiencing attention fatigue, burnout, or cognitive overload.
Nature Connectedness, Social Cohesion, and Well-being
Beyond individual clinical outcomes, research demonstrates that Forest Therapy strengthens nature connectedness, an independent predictor of subjective well-being, pro-environmental behavior, and life satisfaction. Forest Therapy interventions also promote interpersonal relationships, social cohesion, and community inclusion.
Our role
FTHub’s contribution to the evidence base
Forest Therapy Hub not only teaches the science, but produces it. The Forest Therapy Institute Lab (FTI Lab) has contributed to applied research since 2022, funded through international programs including Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, and Biodiversa+ Partnership.
FTI Lab’s research covers Forest Therapy, nature social prescribing, therapeutic landscape assessment, nature-based interventions, and citizen science, with collaborations across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.
Critically, the FTHub Method, the Liquid Interactions Model, and the FTHub 5 Components of Nature-Based Interventions are the only nature-based health frameworks being researched at scale through international public funding, making them the most rigorously tested approaches in the field.
FTI Lab’s findings are translated directly into FTHub’s Certification, Accreditation and Specialization training curricula and FTHub Academy courses. Practitioners trained by FTHub learn from the most current evidence available.
THE LITERATURE
Key research references
Click on each reference to access the official publication.
0. General health
1. Perceived health and well-being
2. Mental health
Meyer and Kotsch, 2017 | O’Brien et al., 2014 | Tyrväinen et al., 2014 | Martens and Bauer, 2013 | Morita et al., 2007 | Bratman et al., 2015 | Bowler et al., 2010 | Townsend, 2006 | Lee et al., 2014 | Park et al., 2010 | Triguero-Mas et al., 2017 | Berman et al., 2008 | Berto, 2005 | Hartig et al., 2003 | Laumann et al., 2003 | Keniger et al., 2013
3. Co-therapeutic effect
5. Interaction and social cohesion
6. Cardiovascular health
7. Morbidity and mortality rates
8. Overweight and obesity
how to apply it
From evidence to practice
Science is only valuable when it reaches the people who apply it. At FTHub, the pathway from evidence to practice is direct:
1
The FTI Lab generates evidence through funded research and field studies
2
Findings are integrated into training programs and FTHub Academy courses
3
FTHub Certified practitioners apply the latest evidence in their sessions
4
Practitioners contribute field data back to the FTI Lab, strengthening the research cycle
- This is not a one-way transfer. It is a continuous feedback loop between science and practice, embedded in the FTHub ecosystem.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Forest Therapy evidence-based?
Yes. A substantial body of peer-reviewed research supports the health benefits of structured Forest Therapy and nature-based interventions. The Forest Therapy Institute Lab at FTHub contributes directly to this evidence base through internationally funded research across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.
Where is Forest Therapy research published?
Forest Therapy research is published in peer-reviewed journals spanning environmental health, psychology, public health, and forestry. FTHub’s Forest Therapy Institute Lab contributes applied research through international programs and collaborates with universities and research centers worldwide.
Bring evidence into practice
Train with FTHub or partner with the FTI Lab
