Depression And Higher Body Temperature Are Linked, Confirms Study

The study was conducted over seven months, starting in early 2020, with data from 106 countries.

Enhancing the treatment and prevention of depression requires a deeper understanding of the intricate relationship between the brain and body where it manifests. Several studies have previously suggested links between depressive symptoms and body temperature, but the credibility of these findings was hindered by their limited sample sizes.

Now, a team of researchers led by experts from the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) has conducted a study and found that people with depression have higher body temperatures, suggesting there could be a mental health benefit to lowering the temperatures of those with the disorder.

Published in Scientific Reports, the study, involving over 20,000 participants worldwide, investigated the connection between depression and elevated body temperature. It remains unclear whether depression contributes to higher body temperature or if increased temperature leads to depression. The study, conducted over seven months starting in early 2020 with data from 106 countries, revealed a correlation between higher depression symptom severity and elevated body temperatures. While less temperature fluctuation throughout the day showed a trend toward higher depression scores, its significance wasn't conclusively established. The research prompts further exploration into the complex relationship between body temperature and depression.