Extreme heat affects the brain - here's how to protect your cognitive health

Dr. Jace Reed, director of emergency psychiatry at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, emphasized in an interview with Fox News Digital that the brain is a major organ that can be greatly affected by heat.

This can affect daily interactions socially and professionally, the expert cautioned.

Symptoms like extreme confusion could mark the beginning of a heat stroke, which could require hospitalization, the psychiatrist warned.

In a separate interview with Fox News Digital, Thea Gallagher, a doctor of psychology and director of wellness programs at NYU Langone Health, noted that when the body overheats, it struggles to regulate internal balance.

The heat can also increase oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain, Gallagher added, which can potentially damage neurons, worsen existing neurological conditions and raise stroke risk.

Excessive heat can also weaken the protective blood-brain barrier, according to the expert, which makes the brain more vulnerable to toxins and pathogens.

Below are some of the main mental symptoms that can worsen in hot weather, experts cautioned.

"People with cognitive impairments may not recognize the signs of overheating," she added.

"Some SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) can suppress sweat production, which is the body's primary cooling mechanism. This raises the risk of overheating, dehydration and even heat stroke."

"Paradoxically, SSRIs can also cause excessive sweating in some individuals - a side effect known as 'SSRI sweats,'" she went on. "While this might seem like it would help with cooling, it can actually lead to dehydration if fluid intake doesn't keep up."

"Days are also longer and there are more activities, which can be exhausting," Gallagher noted. "Therefore, it is good to prioritize sleep and rest … and [find] ways to slow down when you can."