The world is getting hotter – this is what it is doing to our brains

As the world gets hotter due to climate change, scientists are discovering that extreme heat can have a big impact on our brains. For some people, like Jake, a boy who started having seizures as a baby, hot weather can make their health problems much worse. Jake has Dravet Syndrome, a rare condition that causes seizures, and his mother noticed that these seizures happened more often during hot, humid days. The family has to work hard every summer to keep Jake cool and try to prevent more seizures. This is just one example of how rising temperatures are making life harder for people with certain brain conditions.

Neurologists, like Dr. Sanjay Sisodiya from University College London, have found that many brain diseases get worse during heatwaves. These include epilepsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and migraines. During the 2003 European heatwave, many people had serious brain problems, and similar things have happened during other heatwaves. But it is not just people with brain diseases who are affected. Hot weather can make anyone feel more tired, angry, or sad. It can also make it harder to think clearly or remember things. Our brains use a lot of energy and create heat, so our bodies have to work hard to keep them cool. If the brain gets too hot, it does not work as well, and this can cause problems for everyone, especially those who are already sick.

Some people are more at risk than others. Older people, for example, have a harder time keeping their bodies cool, and they may forget to drink water or stay out of the sun. People with dementia or other brain problems may not realize they are getting too hot. Studies have shown that more people have strokes and die from them during heatwaves, especially in countries that are already very hot. Pregnant women are also at risk, as heatwaves can cause babies to be born too early, which can lead to learning and brain problems later in life.

Scientists are also worried about how heat affects the brain's protective barrier, which can let in germs or toxins when it gets too hot. This could make it easier for diseases like Zika or West Nile virus to spread, especially as mosquitoes move into new areas because of warmer weather. Some medicines make it harder for people to stay cool, and some people may be more at risk because of their genes. Scientists are still trying to figure out who is most at risk and how to help them. They hope to create warning systems and other ways to protect people during heatwaves. As the world continues to warm, it is important to learn how to keep our brains safe from the heat.