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After being requested to deliver an unprepared short talk and then subtract sequentially in intervals of 17 – while facing a group of unfamiliar people – the sudden tension was visible in my features.

The reason was that researchers were recording this quite daunting experience for a research project that is studying stress using infrared imaging.

Anxiety modifies the blood flow in the face, and scientists have discovered that the cooling effect of a person's nose can be used as a measure of stress levels and to track recuperation.

Heat mapping, as stated by the scientists leading the investigation could be a "game changer" in stress research.

The Experimental Stress Test

The research anxiety evaluation that I underwent is meticulously designed and intentionally created to be an unexpected challenge. I visited the university with no idea what I was about to experience.

Initially, I was instructed to position myself, relax and hear background static through a pair of earphones.

Thus far, quite relaxing.

Then, the researcher who was conducting the experiment brought in a group of unfamiliar people into the space. They all stared at me quietly as the researcher informed that I now had three minutes to create a brief presentation about my "dream job".

While experiencing the warmth build around my throat, the experts documented my skin tone shifting through their thermal camera. My facial temperature immediately decreased in heat – turning blue on the heat map – as I contemplated ways to navigate this unplanned presentation.

Research Findings

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

My nasal area cooled in heat by a small amount, as my physiological mechanism pushed blood flow away from my face and to my visual and auditory organs – a bodily response to assist me in observe and hear for danger.

The majority of subjects, comparable to my experience, recovered quickly; their nasal areas heated to pre-stressed levels within a short time.

Principal investigator stated that being a media professional has probably made me "somewhat accustomed to being put in stressful positions".

"You're accustomed to the camera and talking with strangers, so it's probable you're relatively robust to interpersonal pressures," the researcher noted.

"Nevertheless, even people with your background, accustomed to being anxiety-provoking scenarios, demonstrates a bodily response alteration, so this indicates this 'nose temperature drop' is a reliable indicator of a shifting anxiety level."

Anxiety Control Uses

Anxiety is natural. But this finding, the scientists say, could be used to assist in controlling negative degrees of tension.

"The period it takes a person to return to normal from this cooling effect could be an objective measure of how effectively a person manages their anxiety," explained the head scientist.

"If they bounce back unusually slowly, could that be a warning sign of anxiety or depression? Is it something that we can tackle?"

As this approach is non-intrusive and monitors physiological changes, it could also be useful to observe tension in infants or in people who can't communicate.

The Mathematical Stress Test

The second task in my stress assessment was, in my view, even worse than the first. I was asked to count sequentially decreasing from 2023 in intervals of 17. A member of the group of expressionless people halted my progress every time I calculated incorrectly and instructed me to start again.

I confess, I am inexperienced in doing math in my head.

As I spent awkward duration attempting to compel my mind to execute subtraction, all I could think was that I wanted to flee the increasingly stuffy room.

In the course of the investigation, just a single of the multiple participants for the stress test did truly seek to depart. The others, comparable to my experience, completed their tasks – probably enduring different levels of embarrassment – and were compensated by a further peaceful interval of white noise through earphones at the finish.

Primate Study Extensions

Possibly included in the most surprising aspects of the method is that, since infrared imaging record biological tension reactions that is innate in numerous ape species, it can furthermore be utilized in animal primates.

The investigators are currently developing its implementation within sanctuaries for great apes, comprising various ape species. They aim to determine how to reduce stress and improve the wellbeing of primates that may have been saved from harmful environments.

Researchers have previously discovered that displaying to grown apes recorded material of young primates has a relaxing impact. When the researchers set up a display monitor close to the rehabilitated primates' habitat, they saw the noses of animals that watched the footage increase in temperature.

Therefore, regarding anxiety, observing young creatures playing is the contrary to a surprise job interview or an on-the-spot subtraction task.

Future Applications

Using thermal cameras in monkey habitats could turn out to be beneficial in supporting protected primates to adapt and acclimate to a new social group and unknown territory.

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