Impact of Heat on Cognitive Function and Global Inequality

Recent research reveals that extreme heat significantly impairs human cognition, with test performance dropping by 13.4% at temperatures above 30°C compared to optimal conditions. This "silent productivity crisis" occurs because rising body temperature diverts blood flow from the prefrontal cortex to aid cooling, disrupts serotonin dynamics, reduces default mode network connectivity, and triggers neuroinflammatory responses in the hippocampus. The effects are imperceptible primarily to those experiencing them and disproportionately impact populations without access to cooling infrastructure, creating a "cognitive heat gap" along socioeconomic lines. Innovative solutions being developed include biomimetic cooling technologies, wearable cooling devices, chronobiological interventions that adjust schedules around cooler periods, nutritional supplements that support brain function during heat exposure, and heat-adapted teaching methodologies. As climate projections suggest most of the world will experience increased extreme heat events by 2040, addressing these cognitive impacts has become an urgent global priority.

https://www.ihadnoclue.com/article/1110724524210913281