Expert article: natural sounds and neuro-autonomic response
Expert author: Dr. Cassandra Gould van Praag
Sources: Gould van Praag CD et al. Mind-wandering and alterations to default mode network connectivity when listening to naturalistic versus artificial sounds. Scientific Reports (2017). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-04440-8. Buxton RT et al. A synthesis of health benefits of natural sounds and their distribution in national parks. PNAS (2021). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2013097118.
Key findings from the Brighton study
The study by Gould van Praag et al. (2017) published in Scientific Reports used fMRI to measure brain activity in 17 healthy subjects exposed to natural versus artificial sounds. Results:
- Natural sounds increase parasympathetic activity (measured by HRV) by 14% on average.
- Natural sounds reduce inward-directed default mode network activity (rumination) and promote diffuse external attention.
- The effect is most pronounced in subjects who were most stressed at the start, suggesting targeted therapeutic potential.
- Artificial sounds produce the opposite effect: increase in sympathetic activity and inward attentional orientation.
PNAS (2021) Meta-analysis
The synthesis by Buxton et al. (2021) in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences analyzed 18 studies and 7,563 participants. Main results: natural sounds of flowing water and birdsong are most effective for physiological stress reduction. The effect appears within 5 to 7 minutes of exposure and is maintained throughout the listening period.
Evolutionary hypothesis
Regular natural sounds (rain, waves, wind) signal the absence of nearby predators. The primitive alarm system (amygdala) interprets this acoustic regularity as an indicator of environmental safety, allowing for the deactivation of vigilance and transition to sleep. This evolutionarily conserved mechanism explains why natural sounds are universally perceived as soothing despite cultural differences.
Application in Deuswell
Deuswell's soundscapes use high-definition binaural recordings captured in preserved natural environments. Flowing water and rain sounds are prioritized according to the results of Buxton et al. (2021). Ambisonic technology recreates a 360-degree spatial immersion, maximizing the "perceptual transport" effect that deactivates attention networks. Headphone use is recommended to fully benefit from binaural spatialization.
