Barometric Pressure & Mood

Research is ongoing concerning the relationship between weather and mental health. Some studies focus specifically on barometric pressure and mood. While there is a link, the relationship is indirect and complex, involving other related and external factors.

Theories/Speculation

• It is widely speculated that barometric pressure impacts mood. Individuals commonly report feeling depressed as the pressure drops, often ahead of a storm, and then feeling better once the low-pressure system exits.

Expert Insight

• A review of academic studies on this popular belief reveals no direct link between barometric pressure and mood.

Other Factors

• Sunshine seems to play a role in how you feel. A study in the journal "Emotion" by Dr. Jaap J. A. Denissen and colleagues notes that people reported feeling better on sunny days. Often, on clear and sunny days, high pressure dominates the weather, establishing an indirect link between barometric pressure and mood.

Barometric Pressure, Pain and Mood

• Research in Europe and North America has established a relationship between barometric pressure and pain such as arthritis and headaches. Studies by Tufts University researchers claim that barometric pressure, along with temperature, can affect osteoarthritis symptoms. Researchers believe that the level of pain experienced impacts mood.

Barometric Pressure, Cognition and Mood

• Russian scientists and others report that low barometric pressure curtails mental activity, including attention span and short-term memory. Impaired cognitive function on a somewhat regular basis can impact your mood and how you feel about yourself.