Scorching temperatures are sweeping the country, but the heatwave may be doing more than just making you sweat. According to experts, sizzling summer days can mess with your mind, too.
When the mercury rises, your brain works overtime to maintain your body’s balance. Dr. Jace Reed, director of emergency psychiatry at Cedars-Sinai, warns that heat can significantly impair mental sharpness. “You might notice you’re forgetting things, struggling to focus, or just not as quick on your feet,” Reed told Fox News Digital. Left unchecked, extreme heat can even lead to heat stroke, where confusion and delirium become serious warning signs.
Thea Gallagher, a psychologist at NYU Langone Health, explains that when your body overheats, your brain suffers. High temperatures disrupt sleep, drain your energy, and impair your memory and decision-making skills. Heat also ramps up inflammation in the brain, potentially harming neurons and worsening conditions like depression or dementia. In severe cases, it can weaken the brain’s natural defenses, leaving it more susceptible to toxins and infections.
If you already manage mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, or schizophrenia, the summer sun can be extra risky. Some psychiatric medications make it harder for your body to cool down, while others might cause excessive sweating that leads to dehydration.
So what can you do? Stay hydrated, avoid the midday sun, and make sure your home stays cool with fans, AC, or blackout curtains. Doctors also recommend taking cooling showers, managing stress through deep breathing, and consulting your doctor to determine if any prescribed medications might increase heat sensitivity.
Above all, slow down and listen to your body. Protect your brain — because when the heat is on, thinking clearly is no sweat if you plan ahead.
