Photo ↑ by @xrysa_mou
More and more tourists disappear or die in Greece, but also in places like Spain. Practically, there is a different case every week. With every new year, there are more and more issues. In 2024, Michael Mosley was the first case to gain international attention, but definitely not the first case.
Such deaths have been thoroughly investigated in hot European countries. They seem to affect tourists, rather than locals. They are associated with the high temperatures that affected Europe since before the summer started, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.
A Dutch tourist passed away in Samos. An American was found dead in Mathraki, just west of Corfu. Two French ladies disappeared in Sikinos, not to mention another American tourist vanished in Amorgos.
Obviously, once the dead bodies are found, they will be thoroughly analysed to figure out the actual causes. However, local authorities warn people about underestimating the impact of high temperatures.
Most of these deaths and disappearances seem to follow the same pattern. Victims went out on trips or walks during high temperatures.
Some scientists agree that what happens every summer is a reason to worry. It is also an element related to the effects of extreme heat over the human body, but especially over the brain. When exposed to such weather conditions, the brain can become confused.
Those affected fail to make the right decisions, not to mention perceiving risks in a different way. Climatic changes make these conditions more and more intense, so the science world tries to understand how the human brain will react in front of these challenges.
Your Brain, The Main Switch
Most scientists are concerned about the effects of intense heat over muscles, skin, heart and lungs, but others also claim that the brain is the main switch of the human body. This is where everything happens.
The body temperature is balanced by an internal gland through the brain. It works like a thermostat. The idea is to maintain the body temperature around 37 degrees Celsius. When the weather conditions are extreme, the hypothalamus gland activates the sweating mechanism, but also enlarges blood vessels.
The idea is to help the body cool down.
The brain works well in all kinds of temperature conditions, but small changes can affect it. For instance, most people can confirm they feel lazy and slow on a hot summer day. As the heat goes up, it may have serious effects, such as a lower blood flux to the brain.
It makes no difference how fit or clever you think you are. If you go out in temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius, you are in danger, simple as that.
How Does Heat Affect The Human Brain?
The bloodstream towards the brain goes down by around 10% when the temperature goes up to 40 degrees Celsius. This is a big issue. Imagine your brain like an engine that works at the highest standards all the time. When there is no fuel, the engine breaks down.
Extreme heat will affect the normal activity of the brain. You will no longer be able to make decisions, remember things, create ideas or think clearly, only because the brain networks responsible for these processes are heavily affected.
The more complex some decisions are, the more difficult they become. For example, taking the right path when hiking could be an issue. It looks like a simple decision, but it implies evaluating more factors, such as dangers.
People are more likely to make poor decisions and become nervous when exposed to heat. All these issues lead to life threatening problems.
Who Is Vulnerable To Extreme Heat?
Some people are more vulnerable than others. For example, elders need to pay special attention because as you age, your body finds it more difficult to balance the temperature. Most people disappearing in such countries during the summertime are over 50, but youngsters are also affected.
Children could also be vulnerable, as well as pregnant women. People with other conditions, including psychical affections, could be affected.
With all these, extreme heat is dangerous for everyone, hence the necessity to be careful.