New research has found that extreme heat can impact cognition and increase anxiety. A study conducted in Boston during a heatwave examined young adults living in college dorm rooms. Participants who slept in rooms without air conditioning, where the temperature reached around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, performed worse on tests compared to those who had central AC and slept in cooler rooms. The tests included simple math and a color-word test, both of which require attention and reaction time. The study author, Jose Guillermo Cedeño Laurent, noted a significant reduction in response times and accuracy in the hotter dorm rooms. Interrupted sleep due to the heat may partially explain these findings, but there is evidence to suggest that the heat itself interferes with cognition. Another study published in 2021 observed a decrease in cognitive performance at temperatures of 79 degrees. It found that elevated temperatures lowered activity in the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps us stay calm, and decreased oxygen saturation levels in the blood, resulting in reduced cognitive performance. Other studies have also shown the impact of heat on office workers’ productivity and students’ standardized test scores. The evidence indicates that heat can affect thinking and efficiency when the body is too hot. Additionally, heat can contribute to mood disturbances and irritability by raising cortisol levels and inducing a stress response. While the body can acclimate to heat over time and has built-in mechanisms to cool down, the increasing prevalence of extreme heatwaves necessitates a better understanding of how heat exacerbates mood and anxiety-related problems. A study published in JAMA Psychiatry in 2022 even found a rise in hospital emergency room visits for mental health issues during extremely hot days. Factors beyond stress hormone changes and sleep disturbances likely contribute to the risks associated with heat, including social issues such as homelessness. Strategies to prevent or manage these challenges include staying well-hydrated, as dehydration can impair cognitive performance. Participants in the college dorm study who drank less than 6 glasses of liquid per day and slept in hot rooms performed worse on tests. Therefore, simply remembering to drink plenty of water can help protect both physical and mental health.
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