The last few days here in Berlin – in addition to the glorious sunshine – it has rained again and again.
And if it were up to me, that could continue for a while longer.
Not out of pure romanticism.
But because you notice – because I notice – that something is changing.
You probably know that feeling too.
The air.
The mind.
The perception.
And that's not just a feeling.
More than just weather
When rain hits the ground, much more happens physically than just "getting wet."
So-called negative ions are created.
Charged oxygen molecules that are released when water droplets impact – an effect described as the Lenard effect.
Sounds technical at first.
But it's relevant.
Because these very ions are linked in studies to changes in the brain:
- More alpha waves – i.e., calm, alert states
(and here they are again, the alpha waves. We already discussed them in the article about green tea and L-theanine) - Evidence of increased serotonin activity
Exactly that,
which many describe as "clearer in the head".
Clean air, less pressure
At the same time, the air changes.
Rain binds particles:
fine dust, pollen, pollutants.
The stronger the rain, the stronger this effect.
The result is measurably better air quality.
And that directly affects the body.
Poor air is associated with stress, irritability, and even anxiety.
Clean air doesn't automatically make you happy.
But it relieves pressure.
I am well aware of this fluctuation in air quality and its effects –
from my family's commute between Berlin and the Croatian Adriatic coast.
The smell of rain
Then there's that smell.
As soon as rain hits dry earth, petrichor is created.
A mixture of plant matter, soil particles, and microorganisms,
which is released into the air by the drops.
The special thing:
Smells go directly to the emotional center of the brain.
To the amygdala.
Into the limbic system.
That's why they can immediately activate memories –
without bypassing conscious thought.
(A small note: We will dedicate a special place to the profound effect of scents in the future expansion of our product range. We will soon illuminate the essence of individual scents in more detail here – it's worth staying tuned.)
By the way, people are extremely sensitive to the smell of rain.
Some even claim:
more sensitive than sharks to blood.
And honestly –
for me, that feels quite right.
An intense scent of rain often makes it impossible for me to simply stay indoors.
The thought of missing something –
this refreshing moment outside in the wonderful rainy air – presses on me too strongly.
Unobtrusive treat for the ears
And then the obvious, which is often underestimated:
the sound.
Rain is even.
Without peaks.
Without surprise.
That's why you find it everywhere –
in ASMR, sleep aids, meditation.
Studies show
that steady rain can lower cortisol levels.
Precisely the hormone
that increases with stress.
At the same time, the parasympathetic nervous system is activated –
the part responsible for recovery.
The body doesn't shut down –
it winds down.
Why it feels different
None of these factors are overwhelmingly effective on their own.
But in combination, something arises
that many immediately perceive:
Fewer stimuli.
Less inner restlessness.
More clarity.
Rain doesn't change the world.
It reduces it to the essentials.
What remains
Perhaps that's exactly what
makes it so special.
It demands nothing.
It doesn't accelerate anything.
It doesn't distract.
It only takes away the excess.
And sometimes that's exactly
the difference.
A different perspective
I've left the window open more often in the past few days.
Longer than usual – as I now realize.
"Now realize" in this case means:
right now, consciously, as I write this text.
And perhaps that's the simplest way to understand it:
You notice it
before you can explain it.
And now I feel like
turning up the radio.
Earworm? – You're welcome.
Michael
Sources & Scientific Classification
The following sources serve for transparency and factual classification.
They do not constitute a recommendation or a substitute for medical advice.
- Perez, V. et al. (2013). Air ions and mood outcomes: a review and meta-analysis. BMC Psychiatry.
- Goel, N. et al. (2005). Bright light, negative air ions and auditory stimuli produce rapid mood changes in a student population. Psychological Medicine.
- Charry, J. M. & Hawkinshire, F. B. (1981). Effects of atmospheric ions on serotonin responsiveness in rat brain. Biochemical Pharmacology.
- Jiang, S. Y. et al. (2018). Negative air ions and their effects on human health and air quality improvement. International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
- Wang, J. et al. (2015). Exposure to air ions in indoor environments: Experimental study and evaluation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
- Harrison, R. G. & Carslaw, K. S. (2003). Ion–aerosol–cloud processes in the lower atmosphere. Reviews of Geophysics.
- Bear, I. J. & Thomas, R. G. (1964). Nature of argillaceous odour. Nature.
