New Study Finds Link Between Body Temperature and Depression

New Study Finds Link Between Body Temperature and Depression
—————————–
A recent large-scale study led by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) reveals a surprising connection between body temperature and depression, Earth.com reported. Analyzing data from over 20,000 volunteers across 106 countries, the study found that higher depression scores consistently correlated with slightly elevated body temperatures.

Participants measured their temperature daily using household thermometers and wore smart rings that tracked skin temperature continuously. The results showed that those experiencing more severe depressive symptoms had body temperatures just under one degree Fahrenheit higher than those with milder symptoms. This pattern held true across different ages, climates, and seasons.

The study also observed that people with stronger depression symptoms exhibited smaller daily temperature fluctuations, particularly a less pronounced drop in temperature at night. This may indicate disruptions in the internal circadian clock, which regulates sleep and hormone release. Since poor sleep is linked to mood disorders, this finding suggests body temperature could be a key factor in depression.

Lead author Dr. Ashley Mason highlighted the potential of heat-based treatments, such as whole-body hyperthermia or saunas, which may trigger beneficial temperature rebounds that improve mood. With depression rates rising and many patients not responding well to traditional treatments, temperature monitoring and thermal therapies could offer affordable, accessible options.

Published in Scientific Reports, the study opens new avenues for early detection and innovative treatment of depression using simple temperature tracking tools.