A new study published in Biological Psychiatry has found that exposure to green spaces during early adolescence is associated with positive changes in brain structure, improved mental health, and better academic outcomes. The research underscores the potential public health value of incorporating natural environments into urban planning and educational settings.
The study, conducted by an international team of scientists, analyzed data from more than 7,000 participants in the U.S.-based Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. Researchers examined whether exposure to green spaces at ages 9 to 10 correlated with brain development and mental health outcomes two years later.
Structural Brain Changes Linked to Nature Exposure
The study is the first to investigate how green space influences the structural trajectory of adolescent brain development. Researchers reported that participants with higher exposure to greenery showed increased total cortical surface area and cortical volume. They also observed changes in specific regions of the brain—including the temporal lobe, insula, caudate, putamen, and nucleus accumbens—associated with learning, motivation, and emotional regulation.
Longitudinal data revealed that adolescents exposed to more green space experienced a faster rate of growth in cortical surface area and less reduction in cortical thickness, an indicator of healthy brain maturation. These effects remained consistent across different socioeconomic backgrounds.
Potential Benefits for Academic and Mental Health Outcomes
According to the authors, these structural brain changes mediated the relationship between green space exposure and improved academic performance and psychological well-being.
“We found that green space exposure was associated with both global and regional brain structural development,” said Qingyang Li, MSc, co-lead author from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London. “These changes were linked to better academic and mental health outcomes, independent of neighborhood and family socioeconomic status.”
Dr. Divyangana Rakesh, also of King’s College London and co-lead author, added that these findings are particularly relevant as youth mental health becomes an increasing global concern.
Urbanization and Mental Health Risks
The study arrives amid growing concerns about the mental health of children and adolescents, and as global urbanization accelerates. According to the United Nations, nearly 68% of the world’s population is projected to live in urban areas by 2050. This shift may limit young people’s access to green environments.
“Urbanization is transforming our living environments and often reducing access to nature,” said Dr. Rakesh. “Our findings highlight the importance of integrating green spaces into urban design and school settings as a potential strategy to support youth development and well-being.”
Policy Implications and Directions
The authors suggest that green space access should be considered a public health and equity issue. Communities with limited access to natural environments may be inadvertently contributing to developmental and mental health disparities among youth.
“Investing in green spaces is an investment in the future,” said Dr. Rakesh. “City planners, educators, and policymakers should prioritize nature access as part of efforts to address the growing youth mental health crisis.”
Enhancing greenery in schoolyards, building community parks, and creating urban green corridors are among the recommendations to ensure all children can benefit from natural environments. The researchers call for further studies to better understand the mechanisms involved and to support evidence-based interventions.
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