How noise sensitivity disrupts the mind, brain and body

Though noise sensitivity is often dismissed by doctors, it can have long-term effects on our mental and physical health.

Tap, tap, tap. Tap, tap, tap. There it was again: the incessant noise from my new upstairs neighbours, evidently still in the process of hanging up pictures or cobbling together new furniture. In my well-insulated building in central Berlin, the noise was well below decibels that would irritate anyone else. But it sent me into a rage.

A tight sensation of stress rushed through my body. Even worse was the anxiety: "When will they ever be finished?"

That's not the only noise that is bothering me. I notice the soft thudding across my ceilings as people get ready for bed. Somewhere in the building, I hear the high-pitched hum of a vacuum cleaner and the muffled thumping of a washing machine. The neighbour's dachshund yapping for a treat. And don't get me started on the leaf blowers and pressure washers outside. Noise – however slight – breaks my concentration and peace of mind. 

It is fair to say that I – along with 10% to 40% of the general population – am noise-sensitive, meaning that I feel more upset and disturbed by noise than the average person. It would be easy to dismiss noise sensitivity as a personality flaw, a symptom of generally being belligerent, whiny, and irritable. But, in recent years, scientists have learned that it has real biological roots. The brains of noise-sensitive people respond differently to sound and some may actually be born that way. What's more, it affects not only people's immediate mood but also their long-term mental and physical health. While there are few easy solutions, being aware of these effects can help noise-sensitive people take action to make their lives more tolerable.  

"It's been one of those what we might call a wastepaper basket sort of issues… that just gets pushed away by health professionals," says neuroscientist Daniel Shepherd of Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand. Only in recent years "have people actually really started to say, right, this is at an experiential level really impacting patients", he adds. "We really need to actually start getting a handle on this."

Noise sensitivity isn't a formal medical diagnosis. People can find out if they're noise sensitive by taking questionnaires like the 21-question Weinstein's noise sensitivity scale (which asks, for instance, if you're bothered by people whispering and crinkling sweet wrappers in a movie theatre, if you get mad at people making noise when you're trying to sleep or work, even if the sound of music bothers you if you're trying to concentrate.

 Noise sensitivity is different from other sound-related conditions like misophonia. This is a specific decreased tolerance to certain sounds, like chewing, throat-clearing, tapping or ticking, which trigger intense feelings of disgust or rage, explains a clinician. Noise sensitivity is also different from hyperacusis, where people feel pain or extreme discomfort because they perceive sounds more loudly than they actually are. 

Noise sensitivity, by contrast, is a general reactiveness to all sounds, regardless of how loud they're perceived or how loud they actually are. At the very least, noise-sensitive people find sound disruptive and become annoyed, angry, or even fearful or anxious. "I remember a person describing it like having a mosquito flying around you," Shepherd says. "You just can't not attend to it."

For those who are afraid of noise, the condition might make them so stressed that their bodies go into a fight-or-flight response. "Your heart rate goes up, your blood pressure goes up," says Stephen Stansfeld, a psychiatrist and professor emeritus at Queen Mary University of London.

Sleep quality can also take a hit. In one 2021 study, researchers tracked the sleeping patterns of 500 adults in China and nighttime noise levels over the course of a week. They found that, while the noise itself didn't affect people's sleep quality, noise-sensitive individuals tended to find their sleep less restorative, rating their sleep as less refreshing and saying they felt moodier and had less energy during the day. 

Studies on the brains of noise-sensitive people reveal some clues

Noise exposure has also been linked to a range of long-term health effects, including heart disease and diabetes – and noise-sensitive people may suffer the most from  mental health impacts, a Dr. says. In one 2021 study, researchers surveyed 2,398 men who were exposed to different levels of road traffic noise. Those who were noise-sensitive were more likely to have long-term anxiety and depression.

While that may be partly because anxious people are more vigilant about their surroundings and therefore more likely to notice noise, it's also possible that being noise sensitive can worsen anxiety. And, one 2023 survey of 1,244 adults living near airports in France found that people severely annoyed by aircraft noise levels – especially some noise-sensitive individuals – were more likely to rate their general health as poor.

But why do some people react more negatively to noise than others? Studies on the brains of noise-sensitive people reveal some clues. When Shepherd and his colleagues hooked people up to devices that measured the electrical activity in their brains, those without noise sensitivity only showed heightened activity when the researchers played them threatening sounds. But in noise-sensitive people, "their brains tend to go up the gears irrespective of the sound, whether it's a threatening sound or a non-threatening sound", an expert recalls. 

  

Neuroscientists have independently found evidence that this has to do with how the brain filters out information about unimportant sounds. Scientists team found evidence that in noise-sensitive people, a specific clump of cells within the medial geniculate nucleus – a relay station for sound information entering the brain – are less efficient at this filtering task compared to the brains of those without the condition. 

Where most people can "filter this information out and get on with life, those who have noise sensitivity don't do it as easily", he says. This kind of filtering also seems to be important during sleep. While most people show patterns of electrical activity called spindles as they fall asleep, which are thought to be important in getting used to surrounding noise, people with noise-sensitivity have less of them – helping explain why they stay so reactive to sounds that normal people aren't bothered by.  

How brains end up this way, though, is a mystery. One Finnish study on twins suggests that noise sensitivity is often heritable, so some people might be predisposed to have it from birth. But it's also possible that people living in noisy environments develop sensitivity over time, Brattico says.

Even quiet noises might be annoying to a noise-sensitive person – Elvira Brattico

"People with anxiety, schizophrenia and autism are especially likely to develop noise sensitivity. While some people can get it after suffering traumatic brain injuries, for most it's usually something that persists over a lifetime, neuroscientist says. "It is very difficult, as compared to someone who's not noise-sensitive, to actually habituate to sound and actually desensitise to it." 

The ideal solution, of course, would be to tackle the sources of noise themselves. Urban planners could build quiet inner courtyards for residential buildings, use rubberised asphalt ingredients that reduce traffic noise, or erect sound-diffracting walls around highways and noisy areas like highways. Some cities in Belgium and France have already begun implementing such measures, as well as reducing vehicle speed limits, encouraging bike infrastructure and creating quiet zones in parks and along rivers. While noise is a real cause of health problems, "it's also one which is potentially avoidable", Stansfeld says. 

But progress is slow, leaving many noise-sensitive people to fend for themselves – for instance by avoiding noisy areas, soundproofing their living spaces or turning to earplugs, earmuffs or noise-cancelling headphones. But these methods often just dampen sounds rather than removing them altogether. "Even quiet noises might be annoying to a noise-sensitive person," Brattico says. 

 

Sometimes, treating underlying conditions like anxiety with medications may help, Stansfeld says. Cognitive behavioural therapy, a kind of talking therapy that centres on managing one's psychological reactions and behaviours, can make sense in settings where people are afraid of noise. "I treated somebody myself with cognitive behaviour therapy, and I think it could be quite helpful," Stansfeld says.

Meanwhile, Brattico believes that music therapy with qualified practitioners could also be useful, which involves selecting soothing, soft music that calms people and builds positive associations with sound. For those wanting to try self-soothing, Brattico recommends music with few, soft instruments like piano or harp, such as Renaissance or Baroque chamber music. When even music is annoying, art therapy might help – "something that's relaxing and allows expressions and regulation of emotions", Brattico says.  

As for myself, it was earplugs, jazz-playing noise-cancelling headphones and a towel wrapped around my head, that eventually helped somewhat. Until the world around me becomes quieter, I can at least try to find some peace in my own mind.  

 

 

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Next time you see your doctor, here are 12+ questions about magnesium you'll want answers to

It's pretty uncommon to find a magnesium deficiency in healthy individuals. If you're concerned with your overall health, schedule a physical examination with your physician to rule out any health-related problems. Pay attention to warnings signs of a magnesium deficiency; left untreated, a deficiency can result in very poor health.

Once you make an appointment with your physician, it's important to address all of your concerns relating to a magnesium deficiency. Should you change your diet? Should you take a supplement? Are there things you should or shouldn't do? Here are 12 questions to ask your doctor about magnesium deficiency. 

 1. What is the cause of magnesium deficiency?
In healthy individuals, it's extremely rare to find patients with low levels of magnesium. Low magnesium levels typically indicate a health-related condition. Magnesium deficiency is usually found in patients with chronic alcoholism, disease and/or advanced age.

2. What are the effects of low magnesium levels?
Early symptoms of a deficiency may present as loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, lethargy and weakness. If the deficiency is left untreated, symptoms may progress to include numbness, tingling, cramps, personality changes and abnormal heart rhythms.

3. Is magnesium deficiency a sign of disease?
Individuals with type 2 diabetes, gastrointestinal diseases or alcohol dependence typically show signs of a deficiency. Older adults may show signs of magnesium deficiency, too, as they may have chronic diseases or take medications that alter their magnesium status.

4. Can a magnesium deficiency result in death?
Because magnesium deficiency typically goes hand-in-hand with a disease or health condition, ignoring symptoms of the deficiency may result in death. Individuals can live healthy lives if they are treated for a disease and its symptoms.

5. Can diet change the status of magnesium deficiency?
If a physician determines a patient does not require magnesium supplements, he may suggest improving the quality of a daily diet. A diet rich in magnesium is essential to overall good health. 

6. Should I take magnesium supplements?
Patients should not take supplements without the approval of a physician. If a physician determines a patient needs magnesium supplements, do not exceed the amount prescribed. Too much magnesium, in the form of a supplement, can do harm to the body.

7. Can I reverse the damage from alcohol-related magnesium deficiency?
A physician can determine the course of action to take to reverse alcohol-related damage to the body. Sometimes the damage cannot be undone; however, a proper diet is essential to prevent further damage. The first step to preventing alcohol-related deficiencies is to stop consuming alcohol.

8. What foods are rich in magnesium?
Leafy green vegetables, such as kale and spinach, are rich in magnesium. For more food options, read the 12 magnesium-rich foods you should know about. Try to eat a balanced meal every day and incorporate magnesium-rich snacks into your diet, too.

9. Does water have magnesium?
Water does contain magnesium, but it's only a very small trace of the mineral. One cup of water contains 2 mg of magnesium. Water is essential to your health, though, so drink up.

10. Is milk a good source of magnesium?
Both cow's milk and soy milk contain magnesium. Soy milk has 61 mg of magnesium per cup, whereas cow's milk has approximately 25 mg per cup. Drink milk to increase levels of magnesium and prevent depletion of calcium.

11. Are there any magnesium-rich spices or dips to add to food?
Ground black pepper contains 12 mg of magnesium per 1 tbsp. If you like peanut butter, spread it on vegetables and crackers for a boost of magnesium. A mere 2 tbsp. of peanut butter provides 49 mg of magnesium.

 12. What can I do to ensure I'm getting enough magnesium in my diet?
Eat a wall-balanced meal of grains, fruits, vegetables and lean meats to keep magnesium levels up. If you feel lethargic, weak, have a loss of appetite and feel bouts of nausea, make an appointment with your physician. Your doctor can take tests to ensure you do not have a magnesium deficiency. 

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Effect of age and other symptoms on menopause

Women enter menopause at different age and with non0similar symptoms, says a recent study.
Investigators found little support for this theory in a study of four ethnic groups in  China. 

Sex-specific dispersal at marriage means that male and female relatedness to their residential group will vary with age, which means they may experience different evolutionary pressures over their lifespan.

When looking to see if this might affect aspects of menopause, the researchers found only a small difference in menopause symptoms or age of onset between different modes of social organisation, and the results were not in support of the theory.

Actually, those women who had dispersed from their natal home seemed to experience worse 
menopause symptoms, which is in the opposite direction from the original theory. We wonder if the stress of living away from kin might be a contributory factor, said the senior author of the study.

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Recent Research Shows Dancing May Reverse Signs of Aging

As we start to get older, the signs of aging become increasingly apparent, but there are many ways to combat them, and dancing might just be the best one ! While some of these signs may only be aesthetic like the wrinkling of one's skin or the greying of one's hair, others can be far more disruptive. Old age may rear its weary head in the form of true physical discomfort, like weakened bones, loss of balance, memory and other forms of physical and mental impairment. 
These can be made worse by pre-existing or developing conditions like arthritis or Alzheimer's Disease. This study, conducted by a team of researchers in a University in Germany, has determined that you may be able to reduce the effects of aging through the art of dance. 
The Role of the Hippocampus...

One major observation that had been established prior to the study was the effects of aging on the hippocampus, the portion of the human brain that regulates emotions, memory, motor functions, and the central nervous system. However, it was also noted that despite the continuous damage that occurs to the hippocampus over time, it remains one of the few portions of the brain that continues to generate new neurons throughout the entirety of one’s lifespan. This ability of the hippocampus to continually form synaptic connections is termed as neuroplasticity.  

Numerous previous studies looked into the possibility of physiological activities acting as mediators for neuroplasticity in the hippocampus. While studies on animals showed that any physical activity can be a mediator for the creation of neurons, the studies dealing with the human physiology focused specifically on the effects of aerobic fitness and training. Various studies delved into the connection between cardio-respiratory fitness and the volume of the hippocampus. While some studies noted a positive correlation between the two, others failed to find any correlation at all.
Moving Forward...
Keeping in mind the uncertainty surrounding this correlation between cardio-respiratory exercise and the improved condition of the hippocampus, this study took a step further. The hippocampus is a part of the brain that performs many functions for the body, which were divided into 5 specified sub-fields for the purpose of the study. These sub-fields included working memory and spatial relations, i.e., coordination and learning.
This team of researchers followed the lead of a previous study that noted the positive effects of dynamic balance training on the volume of gray matter in the hippocampus in healthy seniors. Dancing was, therefore, determined to be a possible viable form of exercise to reduce impairment caused to the hippocampus caused by aging, as it would stimulate the use of numerous sensory organs.
The Focus of the Study...

The study, conducted by experts from a variety of departments in the Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany, was a comparative analysis of the effects of two major types of motor fitness: dancing and endurance training. A group of volunteers was selected, having an average age of 68 years. They were divided into two groups, one of which was assigned endurance fitness and the other to be instructed in dancing.
Weekly classes were held over 18 months. The endurance exercises included cycling and Nordic walking among others. The other group was instructed in a variety of dance forms like jazz, square, line, and Latin American dancing. Different routines were taught every few weeks, making an important part of the exercise the challenge to recall the steps. 

The Final Result...
Both forms of exercise were found to have positive effects on the hippocampus. The volunteers that participated in the dance showed a significant increase in memory and balance. When measuring hippocampus volumes, it was observed that there was an increase in 4 out 5 subfields, 1 in particular that the endurance fitness routine did not affect. While improvement in memory could be attributed to an increase in hippocampus volumes, no physical correlation could be found between the improvement in the hippocampus and the improved balance of the members of the dance group. 
While balance may not be directly related to the hippocampus, it is nonetheless a positive side effect of the practice of dancing. Dancing has the same benefits as cardio-respiratory and endurance exercises, as well as a few others in slowing down age-related impairments in elderly persons. The combination of music, movement, coordination, and memory has been seen to be extremely beneficial to the body and mind for anyone looking to live a healthy life.   

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Asprin may help reduce harmful effects of air pollution on lungs

The findings published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine highlight that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin may lessen the effects of air pollution exposure on lung function.

Researchers analyzed a subset of data collected from a cohort of 2,280 male veterans from the greater Boston area who were given tests to determine their lung function. The average age of participants was 73 years.

 

The researchers examined the relationship between test results, self-reported NSAID use, and ambient particulate matter (PM) and black carbon in the month preceding the test, while accounting for a variety of factors, including the health status of the subject and whether or not he was a smoker.

They found that the use of any NSAID nearly halved the effect of PM on lung function, with the association consistent across all four weekly air pollution measurements from same-day to 28 days prior to the lung function test.

Because most of the people in the study cohort who took NSAIDs used aspirin, the researchers say the modifying effect they observed was mainly from aspirin, but add that effects of non-aspirin NSAIDs are worthy of further exploration.

Researchers speculate that NSAIDs mitigate inflammation brought about by air pollution.
“It is still important to minimize our exposure to air pollution, which is linked to a host of adverse health effects, from cancer to cardiovascular disease” said first and corresponding author.

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