Depression and body heat: New research reveals surprising connection

A groundbreaking international study led by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) has found a surprising connection between depression and small increases in body temperature.

Analysing data from over 20,000 volunteers across 106 countries, the research revealed that individuals experiencing higher levels of depressive symptoms consistently showed slightly elevated core body temperatures — often less than one degree Fahrenheit above normal, Caliber.Az reports, citing Earth.com.

Participants measured their body temperature daily using household thermometers and wore smart rings that continuously tracked skin temperature throughout the day and night. The study’s unprecedented scale and diverse participant pool confirmed that this subtle temperature increase accompanies depression across different ages, climates, and seasons.

In addition to a mild temperature rise, researchers noticed that people with more severe depressive symptoms had a flatter daily temperature rhythm, with less cooling during nighttime hours. This disruption may reflect disturbances in the body’s internal clock, which regulates hormone release and sleep patterns. Poor sleep and mood disorders are closely linked, suggesting that impaired temperature regulation could deepen emotional distress.

The study also highlights biological reasons behind these temperature changes. Depression-related stress hormones, inflammation, and neurotransmitter shifts can reduce sweating and narrow blood vessels near the skin, hampering the body’s ability to cool down efficiently. Over time, even a half-degree rise can affect heart rate, energy, and restorative sleep, creating a feedback loop that worsens mood.

Interestingly, controlled heat exposure—such as sauna sessions, hot yoga, or whole-body hyperthermia—may trigger a rebound effect, lowering body temperature and lifting mood for extended periods. This low-tech approach, requiring simple equipment commonly found in fitness centres, could become a valuable adjunct treatment for those who find traditional therapies inaccessible or ineffective.

Lead author Dr. Ashley Mason emphasises the potential for temperature tracking to become an early warning tool in managing depression. With wearable sensors becoming more affordable and widespread, continuous monitoring of body temperature may help identify mood shifts before symptoms escalate.

Next steps involve clinical trials to test different heat-based therapies and explore whether synchronising treatments with individuals’ temperature rhythms improves outcomes.

While temperature alone won’t cure depression, this research opens a promising new avenue that blends biology, technology, and accessible interventions — offering hope for millions seeking relief from mental health struggles. For those experiencing persistent sadness alongside even slight warmth or flushed feelings, consulting a healthcare professional may be an important early step.

By Vugar Khalilov