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When I was asked to deliver an unprepared five-minute speech and then count backwards in steps of 17 – while facing a group of unfamiliar people – the acute stress was visible in my features.

This occurred since psychologists were documenting this rather frightening experience for a research project that is analyzing anxiety using infrared imaging.

Stress alters the circulation in the face, and experts have determined that the cooling effect of a person's nose can be used as a measure of stress levels and to observe restoration.

Thermal imaging, as stated by the scientists behind the study could be a "revolutionary development" in anxiety studies.

The Scientific Tension Assessment

The scientific tension assessment that I participated in is precisely structured and deliberately designed to be an unpleasant surprise. I visited the research facility with little knowledge what I was about to experience.

To begin, I was told to settle, calm down and experience white noise through a pair of earphones.

Thus far, quite relaxing.

Subsequently, the scientist who was running the test invited a group of unfamiliar people into the area. They collectively gazed at me quietly as the researcher informed that I now had three minutes to prepare a short talk about my "dream job".

As I felt the warmth build around my neck, the researchers recorded my face changing colour through their heat-sensing equipment. My facial temperature immediately decreased in temperature – appearing cooler on the heat map – as I contemplated ways to bluster my way through this spontaneous talk.

Scientific Results

The scientists have carried out this identical tension assessment on numerous subjects. In every case, they observed the nasal area dip in temperature by between three and six degrees.

My nose dropped in temperature by a couple of degrees, as my physiological mechanism shifted blood distribution from my face and to my sensory systems – a physiological adaptation to help me to observe and hear for threats.

The majority of subjects, like me, returned to normal swiftly; their noses warmed to baseline measurements within a short time.

Lead researcher explained that being a journalist and presenter has probably made me "quite habituated to being placed in stressful positions".

"You're familiar with the recording equipment and talking with unfamiliar people, so it's probable you're somewhat resistant to social stressors," the scientist clarified.

"However, even individuals such as yourself, trained to be stressful situations, exhibits a biological blood flow shift, so that suggests this 'facial cooling' is a reliable indicator of a changing stress state."

Anxiety Control Uses

Stress is part of life. But this discovery, the researchers state, could be used to aid in regulating negative degrees of anxiety.

"The length of time it takes a person to return to normal from this temperature drop could be an reliable gauge of how effectively somebody regulates their tension," said the principal investigator.

"When they return remarkably delayed, could this indicate a potential indicator of mental health concerns? Could this be a factor that we can tackle?"

As this approach is non-intrusive and measures a physical response, it could furthermore be beneficial to observe tension in infants or in individuals unable to express themselves.

The Mental Arithmetic Challenge

The second task in my tension measurement was, in my view, even worse than the opening task. I was asked to count in reverse starting from 2023 in steps of 17. Someone on the panel of three impassive strangers interrupted me each instance I committed an error and instructed me to begin anew.

I acknowledge, I am bad at doing math in my head.

While I used awkward duration striving to push my mind to execute arithmetic operations, my sole consideration was that I wished to leave the increasingly stuffy room.

During the research, just a single of the 29 volunteers for the stress test did truly seek to depart. The remainder, comparable to my experience, completed their tasks – likely experiencing varying degrees of discomfort – and were compensated by a further peaceful interval of white noise through earphones at the conclusion.

Animal Research Applications

Possibly included in the most surprising aspects of the method is that, because thermal cameras monitor physiological anxiety indicators that is inherent within various monkey types, it can also be used in other species.

The scientists are actively working on its application in sanctuaries for great apes, comprising various ape species. They want to work out how to reduce stress and improve the wellbeing of primates that may have been rescued from distressing situations.

The team has already found that displaying to grown apes video footage of infant chimps has a calming effect. When the researchers set up a visual device near the protected apes' living area, they saw the noses of creatures that observed the material heat up.

So, in terms of stress, watching baby animals interacting is the inverse of a surprise job interview or an impromptu mathematical challenge.

Future Applications

Using thermal cameras in primate refuges could demonstrate itself as valuable in helping protected primates to become comfortable to a different community and strange surroundings.

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