Documentary Our brain loves wood The scientists behind the research What does wood do to the brain? Prof. Dr. Steven Laureys – The importance of wood in your environment Dr. Steven Scholte – What does a wooden interior do to our brain? Behind the scenes look

Wood affects us more than we think.

Our brain loves wood

For the first time in Belgium, it has been scientifically proven that an interior with a lot of wood truly benefits our brain. Under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Steven Laureys and Dr. Steven Scholte, fMRI scans were used to study how our brain responds to different materials. The answer is clear: wood makes us mentally and physically healthier. Want to find out why your brain loves wood?

Less stress, more creativity, better focus, and a stronger connection to others.

Minder stress - brein pagina

The scientists behind the research

Prof. Dr. Steven Laureys

Neurologist

Dr. Steven Scholte

Associate professor

What does the presence of wood in an interior do to our brain?

Wood truly makes a difference in our interiors

Commissioned by Fedustria, Neurensics used fMRI scans to study how people respond to different interior materials in various spaces such as living rooms, offices, hospitals, and classrooms. The results are clear: wood evokes more positive emotions, reduces feelings of stress, increases trust, and even stimulates creative and problem-solving thinking—especially in work and home environments. In contrast, plastics tend to provoke negative reactions, and concrete and stone increase stress levels.

Download a summary of the results here

Prof. Dr. Steven Laureys – The importance of wood in your environment

Take a moment to reflect on your surroundings. Do you feel at ease? Can you concentrate? In this video, neuroscientist Prof. Dr. Steven Laureys explores how materials influence your brain, mood, and performance. Through brain research, he demonstrates how natural elements—and wood in particular—positively affect our brain. Watch the video and be surprised: your environment matters more than you think.

“Natural materials have a positive impact on stress, focus, and cognitive performance.”

Steven laureys

Dr. Steven Scholte – What does a wooden interior do to our brain?

In this video, neuroscientist Steven Scholte explains how he uses fMRI and heart rate measurements to study the effects of different interiors on our well-being, cognitive ability, and creativity. How do materials like wood, concrete, or plastics influence our performance and emotions in homes, offices, and other spaces?

Download the full report here and discover all the insights.

“fMRI scans show how materials activate our brain in terms of well-being, thinking, and creativity.”