Study Finds Odd Link Between Depression and Body Temperature

To improve the treatment and prevention of depression, a deeper understanding of the underlying brain and body mechanisms is essential.

Interestingly, several studies have suggested a connection between depressive symptoms and body temperature, but their limited sample sizes raise questions about their reliability.

In a recent study published in February, researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) analyzed data from 20,880 individuals over seven months, finding that those with depression generally exhibit higher body temperatures.

Potential of Body Temperature Regulation in Depression Relief

While this extensive study—spanning participants from 106 countries—doesn’t prove that elevated body temperature causes depression or vice versa, it highlights a connection worth exploring. If simply staying cool could alleviate depression symptoms, it might benefit millions globally.

“This is the largest study to date examining the association between body temperature—assessed using both self-reports and wearable sensors—and depressive symptoms in a geographically diverse sample,” said UCSF psychiatrist Ashley Mason upon the publication of the results.

The researchers suggest several possible reasons for the link: depression may be related to metabolic processes that generate excess heat or involve malfunctioning cooling mechanisms.

Alternatively, a shared factor like mental stress or inflammation might affect both body temperature and depressive symptoms independently.

Exploring Body Temperature’s Role in Depression

This is an area for future research. Currently, we recognize that depression is a complex condition with numerous potential triggers, and body temperature might be one of them.

Earlier studies have suggested that hot tubs and saunas can reduce depression symptoms, possibly due to the self-cooling effect from sweating.

“Ironically, heating people up can cause a rebound effect where body temperature lowers for longer than simply cooling directly, like with an ice bath,” Mason said.

“What if we could monitor the body temperature of those with depression to optimize heat-based treatments?”

The study found that as self-reported depression symptoms increased, average body temperature also rose. There was also a link between higher depression scores and lower daily temperature fluctuations, though this was not statistically significant.

With approximately 5 percent of the global population affected by depression, understanding and treating the condition is increasingly urgent. Each new finding offers more hope in addressing the issue.

“Given the rising depression rates in the U.S., we’re excited about the potential of this new treatment approach,” Mason said.

Read the original article on: Science Alert

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