PM 2.5 Effects on Mental Health

As PM 2.5 dust becomes a bigger issue in many provinces of Thailand, we all know that this air pollution can seriously harm our bodies, especially our respiratory systems, both short-term and long-term. But what you might not realize is that PM 2.5 can also be a silent threat to our mental health.

Psychological Aspect

While working from home, taking online classes, or avoiding outdoor activities can help limit our exposure to pollutants, being stuck inside for long periods, especially when all we see outside is dust, can lead to stress and anxiety. These feelings can intensify when we feel there’s no solution in sight. If we’re under this kind of stress for too long, it can lead to serious mental health issues like depression and anxiety.

Sociological Aspect

PM 2.5 dust doesn’t just affect our physical health; it also takes a toll on our social lives. No one wants to go out and breathe in harmful dust, so many of us choose to skip outdoor activities and stay home with air purifiers. While this keeps us safer, it also means we miss out on chances to connect with friends and family. This lack of social interaction can leave us feeling isolated and can really impact our overall happiness.

Biological Aspect

On top of that, PM 2.5 affects more than just our lungs—it impacts our nervous systems too, which are vital for our well-being. When we breathe in dust, those tiny particles can enter our bloodstream and reach our brains, causing inflammation. Studies show that this kind of pollution can change how our brains work, even shrinking the hippocampus, which is crucial for managing emotions and memory. It can also throw off the balance of neurotransmitters in our brains, leading to issues like depression.

In short, PM 2.5 not only harms our physical health but also takes a toll on our mental well-being. So, as we deal with this air pollution, it is important to take care of our bodies and make our mental health a priority too.

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Hippocampal volume and depression among young children. (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pscychresns.2019.04.012

Air pollution impairs cognition, provokes depressive-like behaviors and alters hippocampal cytokine expression and morphologyl. (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/mp.2011.76

Cytokine secretion and the risk of depression development in patients with connective tissue diseases. (2019). https://doi.org/10.1111/pcn.12826

Chronic SO2 inhalation above environmental standard impairs neuronal behavior and represses glutamate receptor gene expression and memory-related kinase activation via neuroinflammation in rats. (2015). https://doi.org/10.1111/pcn.12826