Mental heat, with Alessandro Massazza Artwork

Your Brain On Climate

Psychology vs climate change: what we think, why we think it, and how it all adds up to a planet-sized emergency. Each episode host Dave Powell interviews experts in how our brains work - from PhDs in psychology to writers, activists and beyond. They'll talk about how their brains and our brains do (and don't) work, and how all of that might help make sense of the climate crisis - and possibly what to do about it.

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Your Brain On Climate

Mental heat, with Alessandro Massazza

September 30, 2024 • Episode 34

When it gets hot, we all get a bit stroppy: think 'shouting at people on the internet' stroppy. But that's only the tip of the (melting) iceberg. Too much heat can trigger or make worse a range of mental health conditions. And what does climate change bring? More heat. So what are the mental health implications of rising global temperatures?

Joining Dave this episode is Dr Alessandro Massazza (X / LinkedIn) - Policy Advisor for United for Global Mental Health. Ale tells Dave all about what the science has to say about the very many ways getting too hot can fry your state of mind - and why it's time to give mental health a proper seat at the climate table.

Owl noises:

06:38 - Whole Body Hyperthermia as a treatment for depression - a metareview.
07:57 - I meant the wet bulb, and we didn't explain what it is.
08:38 - Schizophrenia as a key factor in heat deaths.
11:00 - more on temperature vs asylum judges.
13:31 - the links between poverty, depression and anxiety.
16:51 - a review of ambient temperature (including humidity) and mental health
17:46 - the Lancet Countdown set of indicators on climate & health.
18:53 - you must read Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker. it will radicalise you
20:00 - more on the relationship between sleep loss and heat.
22:26 - Looky at what trees do to cool streets down.
35:04 - We've come across hyperobjects before, like in my chat with Jonathan Rowson.
36:22 - How health framing boosts support for climate policies.
42:35 - South Australian heat warning system & mental heath.

I also mentioned at the end the study I'd read about a piece in the Times that conservative voters have larger fear centres (the amygdala). That's here.

Your Brain on Climate is a podcast about human psychology vs the climate crisis. Contact the show: @brainclimate on Twitter, or hello@yourbrainonclimate.com.

Support the show on Patreon: www.patreon.com/yourbrainonclimate.

The show is hosted and produced by me, Dave Powell, who you can find @powellds on Twitter. Original music by me too.

Show logo by Arthur Stovell at www.designbymondial.com.