health
March 13, 2026
‘Massive boost of serotonin!’: How a dose of nature is treating mental illness
A project in London is helping hundreds of people, providing a genuine alternative to traditional treatments
TL;DR
- Dose of Nature prescribes time in nature as a treatment for mental health, with a 64% recovery rate compared to the NHS's 50%.
- Clients are referred by GPs and paired with volunteer guides for eight weekly outdoor sessions, focusing on mindful connection with nature.
- Benefits include serotonin boosts from sunlight, phytoncides from trees, calming natural sounds, and mood-enhancing soil microorganisms.
- An independent assessment by the London School of Economics found significant benefits and estimated social welfare gains at eight times the cost.
- The program is expanding to new locations, aiming to prove its effectiveness in diverse settings and encourage wider adoption of nature prescriptions.
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