Researchers have found that greenspace exposure is associated with widespread patterns of structural brain development during early adolescence, which in turn are associated with better academic and mental outcomes. The findings of the study in Biological Psychiatry, published by Elsevier, emphasize the need to integrate natural environments into urban and educational settings and provide key insights for policymakers, parents, and educators to support adolescent well-being.
Previous research has shown that exposure to green spaces positively influences mental health and cognition. However, there is limited understanding of the underlying neurobiological mechanisms of brain development and its potential role in supporting mental well-being in children.
This is the first study to examine the influence of greenspace exposure on structural neurodevelopmental trajectories and which tests whether these trajectories mediate the relationship between greenspace exposure and positive academic or mental health outcomes.
A groundbreaking study has revealed how exposure to green spaces during early adolescence supports structural brain development, which in turn enhances mental health and academic performance. Researchers analyzed data from over 7,000 diverse youths in the US between ages 9–10 and followed up two years later.
Specifically, adolescents exposed to more greenspace showed healthier brain growth trajectories—marked by increased total surface area, slower decline in cortical thickness, and adjusted growth in cortical volume. This neurodevelopmental pattern correlates with improved mood, reduced symptoms of stress and anxiety, and stronger academic outcomes . By linking environmental exposure to tangible brain changes, the study offers the most compelling evidence yet that nature isn’t just calming—it’s fundamentally shaping young minds.
These findings emphasize the critical need to preserve and expand green environments in communities, schools, and urban planning. Fostering such environments is a powerful strategy for supporting young people’s mental resilience and academic success, particularly as urbanization accelerates and natural spaces shrink.
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