Gary BreckaHuman Biologist & Longevity Innovator

Your Brain Is Craving Nature: TJ Power

23 Jun 2026 · 0 min

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In this brief exchange, Gary Brecka asks about the role of serotonin in mood and emotional stability. The guest, identified as Speaker B (likely TJ Power), explains that serotonin levels are low in modern society because the neurotransmitter thrives on a connection with nature. He cites Japan’s urban mental‑health crisis, known as karoshi (death from overwork), as evidence of this disconnect. He then introduces shinrin‑yoku, or forest bathing, describing it as a medical‑like treatment that significantly raises serum serotonin when individuals spend time walking in natural environments, thereby improving mood and stability.

What bucket do you put serotonin in? Its influence on mood and emotional state.
On that joy you can experience in your mind, that stability of your mood. And our serotonin levels are very low in the modern world because it's a chemical that deeply wants a connection with nature. Japan has had significant challenges with mental health in the cities. They actually termed this karoshi, which meant like kind of burnt out, overworked. Shinrin-yoku, this forest bathing idea, is like a medical treatment almost. With this serotonin chemical that there's this significant increase in what we call serum serotonin when an individual walks in nature and has alignment with nature.