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When I was asked to give an impromptu short talk and then calculate in reverse in intervals of 17 – all in front of a panel of three strangers – the acute stress was written on my face.

The reason was that scientists were documenting this somewhat terrifying situation for a research project that is analyzing anxiety using infrared imaging.

Stress alters the blood flow in the face, and scientists have discovered that the drop in temperature of a person's nose can be used as a measure of stress levels and to track recuperation.

Heat mapping, based on researcher findings behind the study could be a "revolutionary development" in stress research.

The Experimental Stress Test

The experimental stress test that I participated in is precisely structured and purposely arranged to be an unpleasant surprise. I visited the academic institution with little knowledge what I was about to experience.

First, I was asked to sit, relax and listen to ambient sound through a audio headset.

Thus far, quite relaxing.

Afterward, the researcher who was conducting the experiment invited a panel of three strangers into the room. They collectively gazed at me silently as the researcher informed that I now had a brief period to prepare a brief presentation about my "dream job".

When noticing the temperature increase around my throat, the researchers recorded my skin tone shifting through their thermal camera. My nose quickly dropped in temperature – showing colder on the heat map – as I considered how to manage this impromptu speech.

Study Outcomes

The researchers have conducted this equivalent anxiety evaluation on multiple participants. In every case, they noticed the facial region dip in temperature by several degrees.

My nasal area cooled in temperature by a couple of degrees, as my nervous system pushed blood flow away from my nasal region and to my visual and auditory organs – a bodily response to enable me to observe and hear for threats.

Nearly all volunteers, like me, bounced back rapidly; their noses warmed to normal readings within a short time.

Head scientist noted that being a journalist and presenter has probably made me "quite habituated to being placed in tense situations".

"You are used to the filming device and conversing with unknown individuals, so it's probable you're somewhat resistant to social stressors," she explained.

"Nevertheless, even people with your background, experienced in handling anxiety-provoking scenarios, exhibits a physiological circulation change, so this indicates this 'nose temperature drop' is a reliable indicator of a changing stress state."

Stress Management Applications

Stress is part of life. But this revelation, the researchers state, could be used to help manage negative degrees of tension.

"The length of time it takes someone to recover from this cooling effect could be an objective measure of how effectively somebody regulates their stress," explained the lead researcher.

"If they bounce back unusually slowly, might this suggest a risk marker of psychological issues? Is it something that we can do anything about?"

Since this method is non-intrusive and measures a physical response, it could furthermore be beneficial to monitor stress in newborns or in those with communication challenges.

The Mathematical Stress Test

The second task in my stress assessment was, from my perspective, more challenging than the opening task. I was instructed to subtract sequentially decreasing from 2023 in steps of 17. A member of the group of three impassive strangers stopped me every time I made a mistake and instructed me to start again.

I admit, I am bad at doing math in my head.

As I spent uncomfortable period striving to push my mind to execute arithmetic operations, all I could think was that I wished to leave the increasingly stuffy room.

In the course of the investigation, merely one of the multiple participants for the tension evaluation did actually ask to depart. The remainder, comparable to my experience, finished their assignments – probably enduring assorted amounts of embarrassment – and were compensated by an additional relaxation period of background static through audio devices at the finish.

Non-Human Applications

Maybe among the most unexpected elements of the technique is that, as heat-sensing technology record biological tension reactions that is natural to numerous ape species, it can also be used in other species.

The investigators are presently creating its implementation within habitats for large monkeys, such as chimps and gorillas. They want to work out how to lower tension and enhance the welfare of primates that may have been rescued from distressing situations.

Scientists have earlier determined that presenting mature chimps recorded material of young primates has a relaxing impact. When the investigators placed a visual device close to the protected apes' living area, they noticed the facial regions of animals that watched the footage increase in temperature.

Therefore, regarding anxiety, observing young creatures engaging in activities is the opposite of a unexpected employment assessment or an impromptu mathematical challenge.

Future Applications

Using thermal cameras in ape sanctuaries could prove to be useful for assisting protected primates to become comfortable to a different community and strange surroundings.

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