We have a Choice: Natural Stimulation or Synthetic Simulation?
Computer simulations can deliver a dopamine rush that can act as a "digital drug." Extended Nature is a better solution as it taps into certain primal algorithms that exist within each of us
Ancient nature spirits enveloped the beliefs belonging to our ancestors – as did the otherworldly mysteries that drove significant events over the eons. All of this remains steadfast within our ancestral memory.
There are beliefs that we carry deep within us that are thousands of years old. We each have memories that connect us with a “knowing” about the Cosmos that dates back to the beginning of human existence. Our inner soul is like an echo chamber of information.
This ancient wisdom bounces off the walls of what we have constructed within our present being and it can cause us to become confused. But don’t be confused, because all of it is in-formation – we carry within us. It is the collective memory that we carry, that includes all of those who have walked before us.
We are treasures of existence.
When we live in a world that constructs high levels of stress we will be subjected to painful experiences and our health will erode. This negativity will grow everyday and that pain it causes can become relentless.
This unhealthy social and physical landscape can become cultural and is often presented by design because when we are stressed and in pain we become dependent on outside forces.
We become controlled by others.
There are solutions. When we exercise, our body releases chemicals that we call endorphins. These endorphins interact with the receptors in our brain that reduce our perception of pain. When stress blocks endorphin activity it can cause us to feel pain more deeply.
So what we should be doing is seeking natural methods that trigger endorphins, which in turn will trigger a positive feeling in the body.
The outdoor camp lodge at and Medicine Wheel at the Wildcraft Forest. The lodge hosts the Cosmic Tree.
What we have learned is that the mind represents the most important tool for triggering endorphins. We can embrace different ideas about life and our role here on Earth by developing meaning and purpose in our lives which then will trigger more endorphin activity. When we exercise and connect with beauty found within the natural world, we will quite naturally produce more endorphin activity and thus our pain will become less apparent.
All of this can be done without the need of medication or other substances.
I get asked often...is the Wildcraft Forest really in a forest, or is it a brand that defines a school program?
The answer is that yes, we really are a forest. The Wildcraft Forest represents a destination that delivers nature-based teachings within the environments that inspired those teachings.
What we offer is unique to the world because we help people experience nature in deep philosophical ways.
The “extended mind” is an idea within the field of “philosophy of mind”, often called “extended cognition”, which holds that the reach of the mind need not end at the boundaries of skin and skull. Tools, instruments and other environmental props that we create to deliver certain key tasks, can under certain conditions also count as proper parts of our mind.
Similarly, there is “extended nature” which holds that the reach of natural systems not end at the boundaries of a forest or wetland.
Extended Nature can exist within the natural material gathered from nature, which then carries energy and memory that taps into certain primal algorithms that exist within each of us.
We just need to tune in.
Yasei Shinrin Yoku means “Wild Forest Bathing” and it’s a form of Forest Therapy that incorporates stewardship and wildcrafting, and includes a tangible understanding of the sentient forest.
Yasei considers the expansion of our health, purpose and well-being as being directly related to the work that we do for the benefit of the forest – the practice considers that we and the forest are “one” and that through this presence the true natural balance of energy can be achieved that benefits both the individual and the natural world.
If we invest in the health and growth of the forest then the forest will invest in us – the medium of exchange is “life-force”.
Yasei Practitioners training allows participants to deliver a 12 Session Forest Therapy Program to individuals, groups and into the public and private sectors. Training begins online when you register, you can complete your certification at one of our 5-day camps or online. This certification can assist you in both career and self-employment endeavors especially suited for counseling, alternative healthcare, the spiritual arts, theology, energy work, education, food, nutrition and outdoor recreation.
This is the Medicine Wheel at the Wildcraft Forest, it was placed at this site over 30 years ago and represents a conjunction where two Dragon Veins meet to create a valve or a vortex. This sacred circle has seen many people and holds many stories. It would be wonderful if it could remain in place for 300 years or longer.
Over the years I have witnessed that when we apply meaning, stories and ritual to the natural world we solidify a feeling of kinship with all of it. The experience provides a rush. Chemically this rush is most likely driven by a hit of dopamine.
Dopamine is both a neurotransmitter and a hormone, meaning it acts as a chemical messenger in the brain and also travels through the bloodstream to other parts of the body. This dual role allows it to influence a wide range of functions, including movement, mood, motivation, and reward.
Dopamine plays a central role in creativity by driving curiosity, motivation, and reward-seeking behavior. It is involved in the balance between cognitive stability (focus) and cognitive flexibility (switching between ideas), which is a key component of creative thinking. Higher dopamine receptor density and activity in certain brain regions are associated with higher creative potential and a personality trait called “openness to experience”.
Creative activities themselves can stimulate dopamine release, enhancing mood and the sense of accomplishment. At the same time spending time in nature can increase dopamine levels through exposure to sunlight, physical activity, and mindfulness. These activities boost the brain’s reward system, reduce stress, and improve overall mood.
When we exercise, our brain releases dopamine, along with other feel-good neurotransmitters like serotonin and endorphins. This is a natural motivational loop; dopamine drives you to perform rewarding physical activity. Exercise doesn’t have to happen in a gym. A simple walk, a hike, or gardening outdoors combines physical activity with the added benefits of nature.
Spending time in natural sunlight helps our body produce vitamin D, which plays a role in synthesizing dopamine. Getting at least 15 minutes of sun exposure daily is beneficial. Sunlight helps regulate our circadian rhythm, which in turn influences the body’s dopamine system. Exposure to morning light can help regulate your sleep-wake cycle and maintain healthy dopamine levels.
When we take a creative approach while being in nature we enhance our experiences through being present in a natural setting and taking in the sights, sounds, and smells is a form of mindfulness. Mindfulness practices, such as meditation, can increase dopamine by reducing stress and enhancing emotional regulation. Nature acts as a natural stress reducer. Studies show that spending as little as 15 minutes outside can lower cortisol (a stress hormone) and boost serotonin and dopamine; all of this can provide a calming effect that clears the mind and enhances cognitive function.
Today we are faced with certain choices: Natural Stimulation or Synthetic Simulation?
As humans we have an intrinsic need to maintain healthy dopamine levels. Low dopamine levels are associated with certain health conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, ADHD, and depression.
Symptoms can include difficulty with movement, lack of motivation, fatigue, and mood changes.
A dopamine deficiency can also make individuals more susceptible to risk-taking and addiction.
When we don’t have access to natural hits of dopamine we strive to create artificial hits.
While computer simulations like video games and social media can deliver a pleasurable dopamine rush, the effect is less healthy and more concentrated. The constant stream of notifications, likes, and in-game rewards acts as a “digital drug,” releasing high-intensity dopamine bursts. The brain adapts to these high and frequent dopamine hits by reducing its sensitivity. This means it takes more and more stimulation to feel satisfied, leading to a diminished ability to enjoy less stimulating, natural activities.
Excessive screen time can alter the brain’s reward circuitry in ways that resemble substance dependency. Over time, the activity may stop being fun, but the user feels unable to stop due to the altered neurochemistry. High-intensity screen time can lead to poor impulse control, fractured attention, and disrupted sleep patterns due to the suppressive effect of screen light on melatonin.
For those with limited access to the outdoors, virtual reality (VR) nature can offer some mood-boosting benefits and increase physiological arousal. However, studies show that it is not a complete substitute for real-world experience. While VR can be a useful tool, real nature is the superior option for maximizing the long-term benefits of dopamine release.
Enjoyable and relaxing activities, such as a walk in the woods, can trigger a gentle, steady release of dopamine. The sensory details of nature—the sound of rustling leaves, the smell of fresh Earth, the sight of a beautiful landscape—all contribute to a pleasant, immersive experience that naturally elevates mood. Increased dopamine from nature is healthier and more sustainable than a surge from computer simulations, which can desensitize the brain’s reward system over time. Nature provides a balanced, multi-sensory experience that promotes overall well-being, while computer simulations offer a high-intensity, immediate reward that can contribute to addictive behavior and negative health outcomes.
The dopamine boost from being in nature is part of a complex process that improves both mental and physical health. Nature engages all the senses, which can calm the mind and reduce stress. This differs from the monotonous or overwhelming sensory input of a screen. Viewing nature allows your brain to be directed towards relaxation and rest attention; unlike the constant demands of a screen, which can lead to mental fatigue and wake attention.
The rewards from nature—like the feeling of accomplishment after a hike or the simple pleasure of sunshine—are slower and more in tune with the brain’s natural rhythms. This promotes a sustained, positive mood rather than a brief, intense spike. Studies show that spending time in nature can lower blood pressure, reduce cortisol levels, and improve cognitive function. When we lose ourselves within a creative endeavour in nature we are then expanding the benefits substantially.
Learn more about what we do at the Wildcraft Forest School: www.wildcraftforest.com