What do trees, the moon, and thunderstorms have to do with your brain chemistry?

Turns out - quite a lot!

Episode one of The Great Green Escape is live. It’s a new podcast from Aristaios, where we explore how humans and nature are wired to thrive together (in some surprisingly clever ways).

In this first episode, we look at:

• why a walk in the bush actually clears your head
• how lunar cycles can influence sleep, mood and more
• what nature might awaken in us — biologically and emotionally

If you’re into nature, neuroscience, or just want something uplifting to listen to, tune in.

Studies referenced

1. Dr. Suzanne Simard’s Research – Mycorrhizal Networks ("Wood Wide Web")
   https://suzannesimard.com/research
2. Mother Tree Project
   https://mothertreeproject.org
3. Phytoncides and Forest Bathing
   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2793346
4. Urban Greening and Crime Reduction (2012 Chicago study)
   https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0169204612000133
5. University of Basel Study – Lunar Cycle and Sleep
   https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(13)00754-9
6. University of Washington Study – Sleep Timing and Moon Phases
   https://www.washington.edu/news/2021/01/27/moon-sleep
7. Blue Mind Theory – Psychology of Being Near Water
   https://www.newbeauty.com/blue-mind-theory
8. Heat and Aggression Study – Anderson et al.
   https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0065260100800040
9. Rain and Decision-Making – SSRN Working Paper (2024)
   https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5105705
10. Barometric Pressure and Headaches
    https://www.healthline.com/health/headache/barometric-pressure-headache
11. Morning Sunlight and Melatonin Regulation – Ayurvedic Perspective
    https://lifespa.com/ayurvedic-lifestyle/circadian-rhythm/sun-exposure-melatonin
12. Birdsong and Mental Health – Natural History Museum
    https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/how-listening-to-bird-song-can-transform-our-mental-health.html

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