How the smells of nature can affect human well-being

Abstract

While the health benefits of spending time in nature—such as reduced stress and improved mood—are well documented, the role of olfactory stimuli in shaping these effects remains under explored. In a recent interdisciplinary paper, lead author Greg Bratman and colleagues call for expanded research into how the rich, often subconscious, scents of natural environments influence human well-being. The authors propose a conceptual framework to investigate three key olfactory pathways: non-conscious processing of plant-emitted volatile organic compounds (VOCs), immediate affective responses to odors, and culturally informed olfactory experiences. They highlight evidence suggesting that certain tree-emitted VOCs, like terpenes, may reduce inflammation in the human body, even without conscious detection. As biodiversity loss and pollution threaten natural scentscapes, the authors urge integration of olfactory considerations into environmental research, urban planning, and conservation policy—paralleling efforts to protect soundscapes and reduce light pollution. This emerging field offers promising insights into the subtle yet powerful ways nature supports human health through smell.