Is the heat wave turning your brain into mush? Here’s proof that IT IS –

Fog feeling in the head? Confused? Tired? As the temperature rises, many of us are suddenly unable to perform tasks that we normally find easy.

And with the UK warming up in the Caribbean this weekend, scientists say it’s time to start taking the effect of heat on our brains more seriously.

“Heat waves have a significant impact on mental health,” says environmental health expert Dr Laurence Wainwright of the University of Oxford.

“Important brain regions, particularly those responsible for cognitive tasks, are affected by heat stress.”

Dr. Wainwright also warns that during periods of extreme heat there is an increased risk of depressive symptoms, anxiety and, worryingly, violent attacks.

Professor Trevor Harley, a psychologist specializing in the behavioral effects of weather at the University of Dundee, says: “When the outside temperature rises above 25°C, the brain struggles to calculate complex tasks. Even more important is the increased risk of suicide and self-harm.

But what about the heat that destroys our brains?

BECAUSE CONCENTRATION IS GOING OUT OF THE WINDOW

Extensive research shows that basic brain functions, including those related to memory, learning and concentration, work less well in heat.

In the summer of 2018, when temperatures rose above 36°C, researchers from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, conducted tests on two groups of students, one studying in an air-conditioned building and the other not working.

Those without air conditioners performed 10 to 15 percent worse in attention, working memory, and how quickly they could process information.

Other work efficiency studies in the US and Japan offices have shown that the concentration decreases when outside temperatures reach their highest levels.

But why?

“Core body temperature is tightly regulated by the hypothalamus in the center of the brain,” explains Dr Eileen Neumann, a neuroscientist at the University of Zurich.

Extensive research shows that basic brain functions, including those related to memory, learning and concentration, work less well in heat. (Image: Families chilling out on the sea in Bournemouth Beach on Saturday)

“When it detects a rise in skin temperature, it sends signals to other systems in the body to take action to keep core temperature stable.

This includes inducing thirst and directing blood flow to the skin surface to prevent organs from overheating.

‘These processes consume a lot of energy, nutrients and blood flow. Much less is reserved for complex brain functions such as memory and concentration.

“The brain is particularly susceptible to dehydration: Even the slightest lack of fluid can affect the quality of signals sent between brain cells.”

A study in Israel found that a single morning without enough water can affect the performance of a number of cognitive tests when temperatures rise above 30°C.

In extreme cases, sunstroke occurs. This is a medical emergency that occurs when the hypothalamus cannot stop the body from overheating and brain cells can begin to die.

“This can happen after about 30 minutes at temperatures between 30°C and 40°C without adequate hydration, especially in those with pre-existing health conditions,” says Dr. Neumann “About one-fifth of people who get sunstroke have some type of long-term neurological damage.”

HEAT CAN CAUSE FEAR AND DEPRESSION

How about claims that heatwaves can cause mental health problems or make existing ones significantly worse?

In 2020, a large-scale analysis of more than 50 studies involving 1.9 million psychiatric patients worldwide found that for every 1 °C increase in temperature, the risk of developing psychiatric conditions such as depression and anxiety increases by 0…9 per year. cent.

The scientists not only compared climates between countries, but also looked at the impact of mini heatwaves in colder European climates, including the UK.

Additionally, doctors in the United States reported seeing a significant increase in emergency room visits for anxiety, stress, and mood issues on days when temperatures were above average.

According to research by scientists at Stanford University, an increase of less than 1C per month in Mexico is linked to a 2.1% increase in suicides.

So what’s going on?

Some scientists say this has to do with nervousness caused by sleep problems – more sunlight in the summer disrupts the sleep-wake cycle, increasing the risk of insomnia.

Experts are keen to warn psychiatric drug users of potentially dangerous risks to physical health in hot climates. (A matrix sign above the A19 towards Teesside warns of extreme weather conditions as the UK prepares for the heatwave)

But much more intriguing is the idea that hot weather has a direct effect on the brain itself.

Hot weather disrupts the levels of the compound serotonin, which is critical for stabilizing mood and regulating sleep.

While studies have shown that hormone levels are highest when the weather is very hot, that doesn’t mean it makes us happier.

Brain scans conducted by researchers at the University of Copenhagen detected an increase in proteins that trap and neutralize excess serotonin.

This causes a decrease in active serotonin, creating a risk of low or unstable mood.

prof. “We know that even the smallest fluctuation in active levels can have a significant impact on mood,” Harley says.

SPARK CAN FLY WHEN TEMPERATURES RISE

Psychologists have long wondered why the number of violent crimes is rising during heat waves.

“There is some evidence that even a 1°C to 2°C increase in average monthly temperature can lead to a 5-10% increase in seizures,” says Dr. wainwright

There are some obvious theories: People are more likely to drink alcohol in hot weather or are easily irritated by others because they are uncomfortable in the heat.

But Professor Harley says the answer also lies in a change in our brain chemistry.

Explain that extreme heat causes an increase in cortisol, the stress hormone released as part of the hypothalamus’s attempt to control body temperature.

The action of the wave triggers the “fight or flight response,” the body’s natural response to threats that cause a rapid heartbeat and increased blood flow to the legs and arms, to prepare us for an attack.

But research shows that an increase in cortisol makes us more prone to impulsive and aggressive behaviors.

Dr. It may also interact with impaired serotonin to increase the risk of other symptoms, such as anxious thoughts and low mood, Harley says.

A study in Israel found that a single morning without enough water can affect the performance of a number of cognitive tests when temperatures rise above 30°C. (Above, Bournemouth Beach Saturday)

WHO IS TAKING MENTAL HEALTH MEDICINES TO BE CAREFUL

Experts are keen to warn psychiatric drug users of potentially dangerous physical health risks in hot climates.

Some drugs, such as clozapine and olanzapine, which are given to treat symptoms of schizophrenia and psychosis, as well as bipolar and dementia symptoms, have a direct effect on the hypothalamus.

As a result, they can prevent the brain from seeing effectively when we’re too hot.

Those taking these drugs may see that they are less thirsty, which puts patients at greater risk of dehydration.

Professor Harley says: “We should consider sun safety essential not only for skin protection, but also for our mental health.

“The same rules apply to the brain: drink plenty of water and avoid the midday sun.”