The Biophilia Effect:

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A Scientific and Spiritual Exploration of the Healing Bond Between Humans and Nature. 

Clemens G. Arvay

 

The term ‘biophilia’ was originally created by the German-American philosopher and psychoanalyst Erich Fromm. Derived from ancient Greek, it means ‘love of life’.

Edward O. Wilson, Professor of Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University, was the first to introduce Fromm’s idea into the biological sciences. It supposes that our attraction to nature is genetically predetermined and that most people ’ have an urge to affiliate with other forms of life’.

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This book is about the reunification with our roots and the need to understand good health and causes of poor health and disease. The psychological impacts of nature as well as many bioactive substances of the natural world are very important for all our well-being. Arvay cites for example the forest air which contains bioactive substances that trees use to communicate to each other. When we breath in, it increases our immune function and our natural anti-cancer mechanisms.

While the concept of biophilia is debatable, the effects of the phenomenon appear not to be. Spending time in a forest activates the vagus nerve, which is responsible for inducing

calm and regeneration. Research shows that spending just one day in a wooden area increases the number of natural killer cells in the blood by almost 40 per cent on average.

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Recent studies have shown that even minimal connection with nature –such as staring at an image of natural scenery for 40 seconds- was enough to trigger the brain into a more relaxed state. Other studies have demonstrated that exposure to natural sensory experiences, like the sound of running water or the smells of the forest, have marked effects on stress and heart rate and blood pressure reduction.

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Arvay presents a variety of scientific research and examples in this book to underpin his arguments but actually not enough scientists have taken biophilia seriously to gather more data. Studies will continue to find that nature affects aspects of some people’s mental and physical functioning but won’t necessarily prove that we are wired to thrive by connecting to the natural world.

In the personal case of this article’s author, astounding health benefits can be reported as a result of a prolonged stay in and around forests. Were the benefits a result of simple peace and quiet or getting away from it all or indeed an innate desire to connect with nature?

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Whether scientifically proven or not, this book makes a good case for believing in the restorative power of extended exposure to nature.