A new study from the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) reveals a possible link between depression and elevated body temperature hinting at innovative approaches for treatment. Researchers, led by Dr. Ashley Mason, gathered data from 20,880 people across 106 countries over seven months making this one of the largest studies to investigate the association between body temperature and depressive symptoms.
The study observed that some individuals with depression tend to have higher body temperatures. Although it does not establish a direct cause-effect relationship, the findings open doors for exploring heat-based treatments to potentially alleviate symptoms of depression. “Ironically, heating people up actually can lead to rebound body temperature lowering that lasts longer than simply cooling people down directly,” Mason explained, suggesting that this rebound effect might offer therapeutic benefits.
Preliminary research has already shown that hot tubs or saunas can reduce depressive symptoms, possibly by stimulating the body’s self-cooling mechanisms, such as sweating. According to Mason, the next steps may include using wearable sensors to monitor body temperature, allowing doctors to better time heat-based treatments for individuals with depression.
With depression rates on the rise, the UCSF team is hopeful that these findings may lead to simple and accessible treatments that could make a meaningful impact on mental health care worldwide. If further studies validate this approach, millions of people could benefit from an alternative way to manage depressive symptoms through temperature-regulation therapies.
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