Forest soundscapes improve mood, restoration and cognition, but not physiological stress or immunity, relative to industrial soundscapes

Exposure to natural environments has consistently been shown to boost human health. However, population-level benefit is constrained by both inequitable access to high-quality natural spaces and the lack of medical prescriptions for nature-based therapy. Addressing these challenges requires an improved understanding of the mechanisms linking environmental attributes to positive health outcomes. A systematic, standardised experimental approach is needed to support this effort. This manuscript presents two complementary experiments—a randomised controlled trial (n = 100) and a counterbalanced crossover trial (n = 30)—designed to assess the effect of a 30-min exposure to forest and industrial acoustic environments on selected biomarkers. This is the first in a series of laboratory experiments which isolate and expose individual senses to natural and industrial stimuli, while measuring biological parameters previously shown to respond positively to whole-body, real-world, nature immersion. Forest acoustics (recorded in a UK temperate rainforest, featuring bird song, running water, wind and rainfall) significantly improved biomarkers of mood, restoration and cognition, relative to industrial acoustics (recorded in Liverpool and London city centre), but not heart rate, blood pressure, heart rate variability, salivary cortisol or secretory Immunoglobulin A. These findings suggest that acoustic elements of forest environments play a role in mediating enhanced psychological state and cognition but do not appear to influence physiological stress or immunological parameters. This work advances understanding of how nature influences human biology and takes steps towards addressing existing challenges to nature-based therapy. In the short-term, these findings highlight the potential of acoustic interventions for individuals with limited access to nature.