We’re all familiar with the harsh impact of climate change on weather, wilderness, wildlife, the economy, technology, and human migration, but what is often overlooked is its impact on individual human behavior and mental processes: Who is most affected by increased temperatures, and what are those impacts?
Scientists from several disciplines have investigated these topics and found evidence that global warming is affecting human behavior. An August 2023 New York Times article titled “Heat Singes the Mind, Not Just the Body” cited the following findings: Every 1°C increase in temperature correlates with a 0.7% increase in suicides and a 4% to 6% increase in violent behavior, including homicides.
While increasing temperatures affect all of us either directly or indirectly, certain groups are most at risk: the poor, the elderly, and those with specific psychological disorders. For example, scientists have noted increasing temperatures are associated with an almost 5% increase in the risk of death for those suffering from psychosis, dementia, or substance abuse. People with no insurance or who are homeless are affected even more.
There are health concerns for humans who are exposed to wildfire smoke, which was produced abundantly by this year's fires in Canada. Older adults with Alzheimer's disease or its downstream effect, dementia, are at greater risk as neuro-inflammation builds up the plaques associated with these health conditions. In August, Neurosciencenews.com reported findings that rodents exposed to wood smoke experienced brain inflammation affecting learning and memory.
It is known that high temperatures affect brain functions. A 2018 article in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health reviewed the effect on our brains of increasing temperatures. Sweating requires the body to pump more blood to our skin. This may cause decreased blood flow to other organs, including the brain. In turn, our body’s ability to regulate its temperature and to take steps to reduce the impact of heat, such as drinking water, can be negatively affected.
Sleep deprivation and disturbances due to heat waves are related to difficulties in paying attention, stronger emotional reactions, and aggravation of psychological disorders. In addition, mental health medications raise body temperature and may make patients more vulnerable to heat. Such drugs include antipsychotics and antidepressants.
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) may also be compromised by climate change. Traditionally, this type of therapy addresses the patient’s thought processes. But climate change is real and, therefore, anxiety associated with it is difficult to control. Similarly, therapists may also feel the same anxiety as their patients, altering the classic therapist “detachment” in patient relationships.
On an individual level, increasing people’s awareness of the potential impacts of rising temperatures is an important first step in reducing the impact of climate change. Those with family or friends in the groups most impacted can prepare to intervene when heat waves or wildfires are anticipated. Further, mental health professionals need to be aware of these impacts and more research into this topic needs to be conducted.
Resources
NY Times Article: https://shorturl.at/anpP4Neuroscience News: https://shorturl.at/cdR34
IJERPH Study: https://shorturl.at/bjrSY