Physical and mental health are co-related but new studies suggest a link between depression and body temperature. While previous studies hinted at a connection between depression symptoms and body temperature, they lacked convincing evidence due to small sample sizes.
However, researchers from the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) took a deeper dive, studying data from over 20,000 people for seven months. They found that individuals with depression often have higher body temperatures, suggesting a significant link worth exploring.
“This is the biggest study so far looking at the link between body temperature and depression symptoms in a diverse group of people,” explained UCSF psychiatrist Ashley Mason, co-author of the study published in Scientific Reports.
Several factors may contribute to this connection. It could involve bodily processes generating excess heat or issues with cooling mechanisms. Mental stress and inflammation may also play roles affecting both body temperature and depression symptoms.
While further research is needed to explore these possibilities, the study highlights the complexity of depression and the potential role of body temperature.
Previous studies hinted that activities like hot tubs and saunas might alleviate depression symptoms. The self-cooling effect, through sweating, could positively impact mental health. Interestingly, heating individuals up may lead to longer-lasting decreases in body temperature than directly cooling them down.
Tracking body temperature in people with depression could help time heat-based treatments effectively. The study data revealed that as depression symptoms worsened, average body temperatures increased. Additionally, higher depression scores correlated with less daily temperature fluctuation, though not significantly.
With around 5% of the global population affected by depression, understanding and treating it are crucial. Each new discovery offers hope for addressing this widespread issue.
“Given the increasing rates of depression, we’re excited about the potential of a new treatment avenue,” added Mason.
