How Does Our Environment Shape Our Mental Health Throughout Life

Mental health depends not only on our genes but also on everything that surrounds us from birth through adulthood. Understanding this link is essential because, unlike our genetic heritage, our environment can often be modified to prevent or mitigate psychological disorders. However, studying the overall impact of the environment remains a challenge. Researchers have long struggled to measure all external influences and relate this environmental burden to health problems.

A recent approach proposes studying the exposome, which is the totality of non-genetic exposures a person experiences throughout their life. This includes both internal factors such as metabolism or inflammation and external factors such as lifestyle, pollution, stress, or social relationships. The exposome also allows exploration of how these exposures affect the body through biological mechanisms. For example, chronic stress or poor diet can alter gene activity or promote persistent inflammation, directly influencing the risk of depression, anxiety, or cognitive decline.

Certain periods of life are particularly sensitive. During pregnancy and early childhood, maternal stress, nutrition, or exposure to toxic substances can have lasting consequences on brain development and future mental health. In adolescence, social interactions, school, or the use of social media play a key role in emotional balance. Later, work-related stress, loneliness, or air quality in cities accumulate and weigh on psychological well-being. With age, isolation and physical illnesses further exacerbate these effects.

The exposome offers a more comprehensive view than traditional studies, which often focus on one factor at a time. By simultaneously analyzing multiple exposures, this approach reveals unexpected associations and highlights protective elements often overlooked. It also shows that each individual reacts differently based on their history and biology. Some people are more vulnerable to negative influences, while others benefit more from the positive aspects of their environment.

To move forward, it is now necessary to collect precise and varied environmental data over long periods. Integrating this information with medical records and genetic research would enable more targeted interventions. For example, identifying the most harmful pollutants or stress factors could help tailor public policies or individual advice. The goal is to shift from reactive medicine to personalized prevention, taking into account each person’s social and environmental realities.

In clinical practice, this knowledge could transform care. Doctors could assess risks based on their patients’ lifestyle, neighborhood, or digital habits. They could also inform them about modifiable factors and guide them toward concrete solutions, such as stress management workshops or accessible green spaces. Such an approach would make mental health more equitable, as it acknowledges that social and environmental inequalities heavily impact psychological well-being.

The exposome does not solve all mysteries, but it paves the way for a finer understanding of the causes of mental disorders. By combining these data with other biological information, it becomes possible to offer more tailored care and reduce disparities among populations. Mental health is not just about treating symptoms; it also involves creating a healthier and fairer environment for everyone.

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Reference Document

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-026-02333-1

Title: Exposome and mental health across the lifespan: research and clinical perspectives

Journal: Neuropsychopharmacology

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Ran Barzilay; Dilip V. Jeste