Body, mind, and weather: mechanisms of interaction - a narrative review

This review investigates the extant literature concerning the association between meteorological conditions and the presentation of psychiatric and somatic symptoms. Particular attention was given to meteoropathy and meteosensitivity, as well as their proposed associations with affective disorders, psychotic disorders, and medically unexplained symptoms (MUS).

This review synthesizes findings from medical biometeorology, psychopathology, psychoneuroimmunology, and psychoendocrinology. The literature analyzed indicates that weather-related symptom patterns may involve dysregulation of the hypothalamic- pituitary-adrenal axis, a hypothesized seasonal modulation of Th1/Th2 immune responses, potential alterations in neurotransmitter activity, and disruptions in circadian rhythms. The immunoseasonal theory of psychiatric disorders posits an interaction between environmental factors and immune regulation in seeking to account for seasonal variations in mood and psychotic symptoms. However, evidence supporting these mechanisms remains limited and predominantly theoretical. The relationship between meteoropathy and MUS is also examined as a potential but unverified overlap of symptom patterns.

The findings currently available suggest that weather-related phenomena may constitute an under-recognized factor influencing mental and physical health. Most reviewed data are derived from observational studies, often characterized by methodolo-gical limitations, inconsistent findings, and a lack of standardized diagnostic criteria. These gaps underscore the necessity for longitudinal research and the development of validated assessment tools that can elucidate causal relationships. A more comprehensive understanding of these processes could guide future investigations and eventually inform targeted diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, particularly in the context of meteoropathy.