Why BlissThera Works
Human beings are biophilic. We were created to live in the natural environment which provides the resources essential to the optimal functioning of the mind and body.
Forests and natural plant environments produce a wide variety of aerosol essences into the surrounding atmosphere that are crucial for maintaining optimal physiological health. These airborne essences are found in low concentrations within the air of natural environments, requiring extended exposure to reach therapeutic levels. This prolonged exposure to nature was how all humans lived throughout history.​
In the wake of modern urbanization and the adverse consequences of our increasingly technological and toxin-laden world, most individuals are unable to spend time in natural settings amidst trees, where the air is filled with these precious plant essences. As a result, deficiencies in exposure to natural environments often lead to physiological imbalances, impacting modern humanity's overall well-being.
Re-establishing this harmonious connection with nature enables the body and mind to heal, returning to a state of well-being that our ancestors once considered the norm.
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This is the power of Forest Medicine; esteemed by institutions such as Johns Hopkins, Harvard Medical, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the National Institute of Health.
BlissThera utilizes the health modality of Forest Medicine, harnessing the natural health benefits of the world's forests through its Virtual Nature Therapy technology- administering specific combinations of natural forest essences in concentrations sufficient to produce focused wellness benefits - all within a VR (virtual reality) nature simulation experience. The beneficial effects that typically result from days or weeks spent in a natural forest environment can now be achieved in minutes with BlissThera.
The BlissThera Breeze Device Technology
Inside each BlissThera™ Breeze device are cartridges that contain specifically formulated Forest Medicine essences. These cartridges of BioMedia™ become the therapeutic “Forest Atmosphere” delivered to the patient through the assistance of a BlissThera practitioner.
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When the practitioner uses the BlissThera™ therapy software, air is circulated through the device and into the BioMedia™, which is cold-diffused and experienced by the patient as a cool and enjoyable aromatic airstream, similar to breathing natural forest air.
BlissThera™ delivers targeted Forest Medicine Therapy through its unique delivery of Forest essence programs via the BlissThera Breeze Technology, enabling therapeutic combinations, resulting in unique targeted therapy effects.
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BlissThera Virtual Nature & Forest Medicine Therapy is like having Your Own Private Portal Into a Forest Dimension.
Medical Research & Clinical Details:
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BlissThera™ Forest Medicine and Virtual Nature Therapy: Enhancing Health via Phytochemical Synergy using Computer Assisted Administration of Cold-Diffused Botanical Essences Within a Virtual Nature Simulation
Abstract:
The health benefits of exposure to natural environments have long been observed by humans, and contemporary scientific research has substantiated these advantages. Forest Medicine practices, such as Shinrin-Yoku or "Forest Bathing," have been linked to enhancements in overall well-being, reduction of subjective symptoms, and improvement of objective health parameters. These benefits have been attributed to the high atmospheric concentration of forest phytochemical aerosols, including plant essences and terpenes. Forest Medicine is associated with reduced stress levels, improved mood, enhanced immune function, and lowered blood pressure, leading to cumulative health benefits. Research not only demonstrates the clinical efficacy of natural phytochemical inhalation but also supports the use of phytochemical aerosols as therapeutic agents for addressing a wide range of psychological and physical pathologies.
Introduction:
BlissThera™ Forest Medicine Therapy, facilitated through a computer-controlled multi-cartridge aromatherapy diffusion device, represents a novel therapeutic modality rooted in Forest Medicine principles. It offers versatile applications across various healthcare and allied health practices. The Therapy includes optional add-on Virtual Natural therapy experiences, immersing patients in virtual forests and scenic nature locations, thus aligning with the growing field of digital therapeutics. The precise dispensing of tailored combinations of phytochemicals is governed by sophisticated software algorithms drawing upon a wealth of evidence-based, peer-reviewed literature. This knowledge base, derived from pure/basic science research, clinical studies, and in-house clinical practice, contributes to continuously refining therapy programs to maximize therapeutic responses while minimizing potential side effects.
The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is one of the largest homeostatic systems in the human body, encompassing elements scattered throughout the brain and present in every major organ. This intricate system comprises endocannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors, and enzymes responsible for inactivating the endocannabinoids. Its primary role lies in functioning as a homeostatic mechanism that oversees a plethora of physiological functions, including but not limited to pain and motor pathways, memory and learning processes, immune system modulation, inflammation regulation, lipid and glucose metabolism, neuroprotective mechanisms, synapse plasticity, neurogenesis, and brain remodeling, arousal and reward centers, appetite regulation, sleep patterns, and mood modulation.
Endocannabinoids, such as anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), are endogenous neurotransmitters utilized by the ECS to maintain system homeostasis. These molecules interact with endocannabinoid receptors (CB1R and CB2R) to produce effects, with AEA primarily binding to CB1R and 2-AG exhibiting strong agonistic activity at both CB1R and CB2R. While phytocannabinoids are well-known ECS modulators, terpenes also play a crucial role in ECS physiology through various mechanisms. Each terpene produces specific effects, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anxiolytic, and memory-enhancing properties, among others.
Enhanced Understanding of Phytochemical Synergy
Mechanisms of Action:
The biochemical pathways through which phytochemicals exert their therapeutic effects are critical to the efficacy of BlissThera™ therapy. Terpenes, for instance, modulate ECS activity by interacting with endocannabinoid receptors, enhancing the effects of phytocannabinoids. Flavonoids indirectly affect the ECS by modulating enzyme activity and receptor signaling, while alkaloids like caffeine and nicotine influence neurotransmitter systems, indirectly affecting ECS function and overall well-being.
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Precision Modulation of ECS Physiology with the BlissThera System:
The BlissThera system delivers precisely calibrated combinations of plant essences, including "minor" phytocannabinoids and terpenes, to harness the advantages of phytochemical synergy. This approach allows for targeted modulation of ECS pathways and clinical responses, with therapy programming tailored to individual patient responses and symptom intensity.
Cumulative Improvement in Symptoms with Regular BlissThera Therapy:
Patients undergoing BlissThera therapy report gradual improvement in symptom intensity, frequency, and duration over time. The natural botanical essences used in BlissThera therapy operate through various physiological mechanisms to alleviate symptoms and address underlying pathology, underscoring the importance of phytochemical availability for optimal physiological functioning.
Summary:
BlissThera™ Therapy offers a holistic approach to promoting well-being and supporting the body's innate healing mechanisms by utilizing advanced technology to deliver tailored combinations of phytochemicals. The integration of phytochemical synergy into this therapeutic modality enhances its potential to address a wide range of psychological and physical pathologies, representing a promising avenue for enhancing health through personalized and effective therapeutic interventions.
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For a deeper explanation of the science, read our White Paper
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References: ​
Forest Medicine / “Forest Bathing”
Li, Q. (2010). Effect of forest bathing trips on human immune function. Environmental health and preventive medicine, 15(1), 9-17. - This study found that forest bathing trips, which involve spending time in a forest environment, had a positive impact on human immune function by increasing the activity of natural killer cells and the expression of anti-cancer proteins.
Park, B. J., Tsunetsugu, Y., & Miyazaki, Y. (2010). The physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing): evidence from field experiments in 24 forests across Japan. Environmental health and preventive medicine, 15(1), 18-26. - This study conducted field experiments in various forests and discovered that forest bathing led to a decrease in stress hormones, blood pressure, and heart rate, indicating its potential to promote relaxation and reduce the risk of stress-related diseases.
Tsunetsugu, Y., Miyazaki, Y., & Park, B. J. (2010). Physiological effects of visual stimulation with forest imagery. International journal of environmental research and public health, 7(3), 828-843. - This research explored the physiological effects of viewing forest imagery and revealed that it produced similar benefits to actual forest bathing, lowering stress levels and enhancing parasympathetic nervous activity.
Lee, J., Park, B. J., Tsunetsugu, Y., Ohira, T., Kagawa, T., & Miyazaki, Y. (2011). Effectiveness of forest therapy for chronic widespread pain: randomized, controlled trial. International journal of environmental research and public health, 8(8), 3432-3442. - In this randomized controlled trial, forest therapy (another term for forest bathing) was shown to be effective in reducing chronic widespread pain and associated symptoms, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic intervention for chronic pain management.
Li, Q., Otsuka, T., Kobayashi, M., Wakayama, Y., Inagaki, H., Katsumata, M., ... & Miyazaki, Y. (2011). Acute effects of walking in forest environments on cardiovascular and metabolic parameters. European journal of applied physiology, 111(11), 2845-2853. - The study observed the acute effects of walking in forest environments on cardiovascular and metabolic parameters, finding that forest bathing led to decreased blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels, as well as improved insulin sensitivity and lipid profiles.
Kyoung Sang Cho, Young-ran Lim, Kyungho Lee, Jaeseok Lee, Jang Ho Lee and Im-Soon Lee. (2017). Terpenes from Forests and Human Health.Toxicol. Res. Vol. 33, No. 2, pp. 97-106 (2017)
This review categorizes various terpenes easily obtained from forests according to their anti-inflammatory, anti-tumorigenic, or neuroprotective activities. Moreover, potential action mechanisms of the individual terpenes and their effects on such processes, which are described in various in vivo and in vitro systems, are discussed. In conclusion, the studies that show the biological effectiveness of terpenes support the benefits of forest bathing and propose a potential use of terpenes as chemotherapeutic agents for treating various human diseases.
Stephen D. Skaper, and Vincenzo Di Marzo
Endocannabinoids in nervous system health and disease: the big picture in a nutshell
Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B (2012) 367, 3193–3200
Among other functions, the ECS is involved in neuroprotection, modulation of nociception, regulation of motor activity, neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity and the control of certain phases of memory processing. In addition, the ECS acts to modulate the immune and inflammatory responses and to maintain a positive energy balance.
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Cannabinoid Receptors and the Endocannabinoid System: Signaling and Function in the Central Nervous System
Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Mar; 19(3): 833.
The CB1R is the prominent subtype in the central nervous system (CNS) and has drawn great attention as a potential therapeutic avenue in several pathological conditions, including neuropsychological disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, cannabinoids also modulate signal transduction pathways and exert profound effects at peripheral sites. Although cannabinoids have therapeutic potential, their psychoactive effects have largely limited their use in clinical practice. In this review, we briefly summarized our knowledge of cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system, focusing on the CB1R and the CNS, with emphasis on recent breakthroughs in the field.
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Pertwee, R.G. (2008). The diverse CB1 and CB2 receptor pharmacology of three plant cannabinoids: THC, CBD, and CBN. British Journal of Pharmacology, 153(2), 199-215.
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Russo, E.B. (2011). Br J Pharmacol 2011 Aug; 163(7): 1344–1364. Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid phytochemical synergies