The Benefits of Forest Bathing

Forest bathing - known in Japan as shinrin-yoku - is the practice of spending time among trees with deliberate, open awareness. It is not hiking. It is not exercise. It is the act of being present in a forest environment and allowing the atmosphere to work on you.

Dr. Eric Fishman, founder of MONQ, explores the science behind this ancient practice - and how the terpenes naturally present in forest air are central to its effects.

Why Forests Make You Feel Better

Trees continuously release volatile organic compounds - primarily terpenes like alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, and limonene - into the air. These molecules interact with your olfactory system and, through it, with the limbic brain: the region that governs mood, memory, and physiological regulation.

Studies from Japanese researchers have documented measurable reductions in cortisol, heart rate, and blood pressure following forest exposure. The effect is not placebo. The terpene-rich air of a forest is chemically distinct from urban air - and your nervous system responds to the difference.

Terpene Deficiency and Why It Matters

Most people spend 90% of their time indoors - in environments largely stripped of the terpene signals that forest air provides. MONQ founder Dr. Fishman calls this terpene deficiency: a state in which the aromatic inputs your nervous system evolved to receive are simply absent from daily life.

Read more: Terpene Deficiency and Paleo Air

MONQ and Forest Aromatherapy

Forest MONQ was formulated to bring the core terpene profile of a forest environment into a portable diffuser. The blend centers on pine, fir, and sandalwood - delivering alpha-pinene and beta-pinene in a form you can carry anywhere.

Experience it: Forest MONQ

Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general wellness and educational purposes only. Please note that while individual essential oil ingredients may have been shown to exhibit certain independent effects when used alone, the specific blends of ingredients contained in MONQ diffusers have not been tested. No specific claims are being made that use of any MONQ diffusers will lead to any of the effects discussed above. Additionally, please note that MONQ diffusers have not been reviewed or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. MONQ diffusers are not intended to be used in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, prevention, or treatment of any disease or medical condition. If you have a health condition or concern, please consult a physician or your alternative health care provider prior to using MONQ diffusers. MONQ blends should not be inhaled into the lungs. Why? It works better that way. No Nicotine Ever in MONQ Pens. Inhale through the mouth, exhale through the nose. MONQ Diffusers are not intended for individuals under 18, or women who are pregnant or nursing.