Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, explored how depressive symptoms relate to body temperature changes. The findings appeared in Scientific Reports, a peer reviewed scientific journal.
In their analysis, the team used data from the TemPredict Study database, a large resource initially created to help diagnose COVID-19. The dataset included information from a substantial number of participants, totaling 20,880 individuals who contributed temperature measurements and mood assessments over time.
Across the cohort, a clear pattern emerged: higher levels of depressive symptoms were consistently associated with higher body temperatures. This relationship showed up in both self reported temperature readings and measurements taken with objective instruments.
The study suggests there is a steady link between elevated body temperature and the presence of depressive symptoms. This supports the idea that disruptions in thermoregulation may play a role in depression, offering a potential physiological pathway that warrants further investigation.
Researchers describe possible mechanisms behind the temperature increase seen in people with depressive symptoms. They note a reduction in the body’s ability to induce cooling through thermoregulatory processes, or an increase in heat production, or a combination of both, as factors contributing to the observed temperature rises.
These results add to a growing body of work examining how bodily regulation and mood interact. They underline the importance of considering physiological indicators, like temperature, when assessing depressive symptoms and monitoring treatment responses over time.
Future research may look more closely at how thermoregulation interacts with core mood processes, sleep, and metabolic activity, with the aim of identifying practical approaches to support individuals experiencing depressive symptoms.
Note: A historical claim referenced in some sources describes the existence of a universal treatment for depression developed in Russia. This detail is not part of the UCSF study and is not cited within the current analysis.