The serotonin boost
The predominant reason may be that rain releases negative air ions – oxygen molecules with an extra electron, which form as raindrops collide or hit a surface and split apart. In high levels, these are known to boost serotonin and alpha waves in the brain, leading to a happier, more relaxed state.
When raindrops hit the ground, they can splatter and release negative ions into the air – a process called the Lenard effect. So if you’re hoping to get a sizeable dose of serotonin-boosting negative ions, try taking a walk in a rainstorm. Just make sure to get inside if you see lightning – for safety’s sake.
Some scientists believe these positive effects may be due to negative air ions increasing oxygen levels in the blood, resulting in a mood boost akin to what you experience from intense exercise.
However, there still isn’t conclusive evidence to explain exactly what mechanism is going on to produce these effects. Pam Dalton, a cognitive scientist at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Pennsylvania in the US, notes it is still not well understood why negative ions have effects such as changes in mood as well as fatigue, cardiovascular status and blood pressure. “While intriguing, there just isn’t much consensus on the physiological benefits, and there is even less understood about possible mechanisms by which negative ions would elicit these effects,” she says.
Studies have shown notable mood benefits from exposure to negative air ions, which are also produced by rain
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