Large-scale societal dynamics are reflected in human mood and brain.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Sociology
• Economics

Background:

• The stock market reflects socio-economic shifts influencing individual well-being.
• Understanding the link between financial markets and health is crucial for public health.
• Previous research has not comprehensively linked stock market dynamics to physiological and neurological markers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate associations between stock market indices and individual health outcomes.
• To explore the relationship between market volatility and affective brain region structure.
• To validate findings across diverse, independent datasets.

Main Methods:

• Specification curve analysis on large-scale UK Biobank data (n=479,791) over 14 years.
• Analysis included mood, alcohol intake, blood pressure, and brain imaging data.
• Replication in two independent US-based studies (Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative and MyConnectome).

Main Results:

• Significant associations found between FTSE100 index and UK residents' mood, alcohol intake, and blood pressure.
• Similar associations observed with volumetric measures of affective brain regions.
• Effects were pronounced during market phase transitions (high volatility) and replicated in US cohorts.

Conclusions:

• Societal phase transitions, as indicated by stock market dynamics, are closely linked to human mood and health.
• The stock market serves as a bellwether for individual and population-level well-being.
• Findings demonstrate a tangible connection between financial market behavior and neurological and physiological states.