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Upon being told to give an impromptu short talk and then count backwards in intervals of 17 – while facing a group of unfamiliar people – the sudden tension was evident in my expression.

The reason was that researchers were recording this rather frightening experience for a scientific study that is studying stress using infrared imaging.

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

Heat mapping, as stated by the scientists conducting the research could be a "revolutionary development" in stress research.

The Research Anxiety Evaluation

The research anxiety evaluation that I underwent is meticulously designed and intentionally created to be an unexpected challenge. I came to the university with minimal awareness what I was in for.

First, I was instructed to position myself, calm down and experience white noise through a set of headphones.

Thus far, quite relaxing.

Subsequently, the investigator who was overseeing the assessment invited a trio of unknown individuals into the room. They collectively gazed at me quietly as the scientist explained that I now had a brief period to prepare a five minute speech about my "dream job".

When noticing the temperature increase around my neck, the experts documented my complexion altering through their heat-sensing equipment. My nasal area rapidly cooled in warmth – appearing cooler on the heat map – as I contemplated ways to bluster my way through this spontaneous talk.

Research Findings

The researchers have performed this equivalent anxiety evaluation on numerous subjects. In all instances, they saw their nose dip in temperature by a noticeable amount.

My nasal area cooled in temperature by a small amount, as my nervous system redirected circulation from my face and to my visual and auditory organs – a physical reaction to enable me to observe and hear for hazards.

The majority of subjects, like me, recovered quickly; their nasal areas heated to normal readings within a short time.

Lead researcher noted that being a media professional has probably made me "quite habituated to being put in anxiety-provoking circumstances".

"You are used to the camera and conversing with unknown individuals, so it's probable you're somewhat resistant to interpersonal pressures," she explained.

"Nevertheless, even people with your background, experienced in handling anxiety-provoking scenarios, shows a physiological circulation change, so that suggests this 'nose temperature drop' is a robust marker of a shifting anxiety level."

Stress Management Applications

Anxiety is natural. But this discovery, the researchers state, could be used to aid in regulating harmful levels of tension.

"The period it takes a person to return to normal from this temperature drop could be an quantifiable indicator of how well an individual controls their anxiety," said the principal investigator.

"Should they recover unusually slowly, might this suggest a potential indicator of psychological issues? Is this an aspect that we can do anything about?"

Because this technique is non-invasive and measures a physical response, it could additionally prove valuable to observe tension in infants or in individuals unable to express themselves.

The Mathematical Stress Test

The second task in my stress assessment was, in my view, more difficult than the opening task. I was instructed to subtract sequentially decreasing from 2023 in increments of seventeen. One of the observers of expressionless people stopped me every time I made a mistake and asked me to recommence.

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

As I spent awkward duration trying to force my brain to perform mathematical calculations, my sole consideration was that I wished to leave the increasingly stuffy room.

In the course of the investigation, only one of the multiple participants for the anxiety assessment did genuinely request to depart. The remainder, comparable to my experience, accomplished their challenges – probably enduring different levels of humiliation – and were rewarded with another calming session of background static through headphones at the end.

Primate Study Extensions

Perhaps one of the most unexpected elements of the method is that, because thermal cameras record biological tension reactions that is natural to many primates, it can furthermore be utilized in other species.

The investigators are actively working on its application in habitats for large monkeys, such as chimps and gorillas. They seek to establish how to decrease anxiety and enhance the welfare of animals that may have been removed from traumatic circumstances.

Researchers have previously discovered that presenting mature chimps recorded material of young primates has a calming effect. When the scientists installed a video screen near the rehabilitated primates' habitat, they saw the noses of primates that viewed the footage heat up.

So, in terms of stress, viewing infant primates engaging in activities is the contrary to a spontaneous career evaluation or an on-the-spot subtraction task.

Future Applications

Implementing heat-sensing technology in primate refuges could prove to be useful for assisting protected primates to adapt and acclimate to a different community and strange surroundings.

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