Las heat waves, intensified by climate change, have become a global challenge affecting not only physical well-being but also mental and neurological health.
With extreme temperatures exceeding usual levels for prolonged periods, these episodes increase the population’s vulnerability and generate risks that go beyond everyday discomfort.
The brain: a highly vulnerable organ
Recent studies warn that extreme heat does not only affect the heart or lungs, but the human brain, with its delicate thermal balance and high energy demand, is one of the most exposed organs.
- Prolonged exposure can lead to dehydration, exhaustion, and heat strokes that compromise critical neurological functions.
- The harmful effects include deep cognitive alterations, memory loss, and a higher risk of mental crises.
Impact on neurological diseases
Extreme heat intensifies symptoms in people with conditions such as:
- Epilepsy: increased risk of seizures.
- Multiple sclerosis: increased fatigue and cognitive deterioration.
- Migraine: more frequent and severe episodes.
- Stroke: risk of sudden complications.
Cognitive alterations in the general population
Even in healthy individuals, heat can:
- Reduce attention and vigilance by up to 67% in those working under direct sunlight exposure.
- Alter decision-making, favoring impulsive or aggressive behaviors.
- Compromise neuronal transmission, as neurons are sensitive to minimal temperature increases.
Research in Indonesia showed that nighttime temperatures above 25 °C led to irrational behaviors and poor economic decisions, especially in low-income households without access to air conditioning.
Older population and medications
In older adults, prolonged exposure can alter the function of the hippocampus, affecting memory and learning. Additionally, certain neurological and psychiatric medications interfere with thermal regulation, increasing the risk of hyperthermia and severe complications.
A report from the Red Cross and Red Crescent Climate Centre revealed that in 2024 extreme heat affected 6.8 billion people, equivalent to 84% of the world’s population, with an average of 31 days of extreme temperatures.
However, less than a third of the health and heat action plans recognize the effects of high temperatures on mental health, according to Current Environmental Health Reports.
Social and health consequences
The impact is reflected in:
- Increase in suicides during heat waves.
- Higher number of psychiatric hospitalizations.
- Epileptic crises and sudden cognitive deterioration.
The most affected groups are children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing mental disorders.
Recommendations and urgent measures
Specialists and international organizations insist on adopting comprehensive strategies:
- Awareness campaigns about the risks of alcohol and drug consumption during heat episodes.
- Community shelters in areas without access to air conditioning, to protect vulnerable groups.
- Enhanced monitoring of patients with mental disorders, increasing medical controls and social support.
The world is poorly prepared to face the consequences of climate change on mental health. Heat waves not only affect the body but also compromise the brain function and emotional stability of millions of people.
Preparation and implementation of strategies adapted to each social context are urgent to reduce the risk of neurological and cognitive emergencies on an increasingly warm planet.
