Extreme heat can negatively impact cognition and mood, with research indicating slower reaction times and increased anxiety during hot conditions. A study on young adults during a heatwave found those in warmer dorm rooms showed a significant reduction in test scores, while evidence suggests that the heat itself, rather than sleep deprivation caused by it, interferes with cognitive abilities.
  

Key Points: 

1. Research conducted during a heatwave revealed that individuals living in warmer environments performed worse in tests involving simple mathematical problems and color-word jumbling, with up to 10% reductions in response times and accuracy.
2. Heat impacts cognitive function by lowering activity in the parasympathetic nervous system and reducing oxygen saturation in the blood, both of which help maintain calmness and focus.
3. Productivity in workplaces and scores on standardized tests among high school students have been found to decrease in warmer conditions, suggesting heat’s influence on mental clarity and efficiency.
4. Heat can induce mood changes, potentially by raising cortisol levels and stimulating a stress response. Further research is needed to understand how heat might exacerbate or trigger mood and anxiety-related issues.
5. Staying well-hydrated is a key strategy to offset the cognitive impairment caused by heat, as dehydration was found to negatively affect the performance of participants in the college dorm study.

Source: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/07/31/1190627995/heat-wave-brain-mood-anxiety