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Stress Cools Noses: New Study Reveals Surprising Link

10/14/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The University of Sussex study shows stress reduces nose temperature detected by thermal imaging.
Participants prepared a speech under stress, and noses cooled by three to six degrees.
The temperature change reflects stress-driven blood flow, an evolutionary response in primates.
Professor Gillian Forrester of the University of Sussex will present findings at New Scientist Live in London on October 18.
The approach could measure stress in humans and apes.

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Story summary

The University of Sussex study shows stress reduces nose temperature detected by thermal imaging.
Participants prepared a speech under stress, and noses cooled by three to six degrees.
The temperature change reflects stress-driven blood flow, an evolutionary response in primates.
Professor Gillian Forrester of the University of Sussex will present findings at New Scientist Live in London on October 18.
The approach could measure stress in humans and apes.