Do you really know? How can heatwaves impact our mental health?
Aug 4, 2025
Extreme heat impacts our mental health far more than we realize. Anxiety and irritability spike during heatwaves as physiological changes kick in, affecting heart rate and hormone levels. Interestingly, everyone feels it, not just those with existing mental health issues. The discussion delves into who is most vulnerable and highlights alarming trends like eco-anxiety among youth facing climate change. In under three minutes, the podcast delivers key insights on how heat influences our psyche.
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Heat Raises Anxiety and Irritability
- Heatwaves increase anxiety and irritability for almost everyone, not just people with mental illnesses.
- Physiologically, heat raises heart rate, blood pressure, cortisol, and disturbs serotonin and dopamine balance.
Vulnerable Groups Suffer Most
- The elderly, people living alone, and those with pre-existing health issues suffer most mentally during heat waves.
- They may experience depression, fear, mood dips, anxiety, or sleep problems.
Heat Links to Severe Mental Health
- High temperatures correlate with increased manic episodes in bipolar disorder and increased suicides and attempts.
- Mental health impacts extend beyond those with psychiatric conditions to the general population.