Does your temperature go up when you're nervous? Understanding the mind-body link

October 2, 2025 •

3 min read

Psychological stress has a well-documented impact on body physiology, with studies showing an increase in core temperature due to emotional events. This phenomenon is a direct answer to the question: Does your temperature go up when you're nervous?

Quick Summary

Nervousness can cause a temporary or persistent rise in body temperature, a condition known as psychogenic fever. This is a physical manifestation of the body's stress response, distinct from infection-based fever, and is best managed by addressing the underlying psychological factors causing the anxiety.

Key Points

Nerves Cause Temp Rise: Yes, nervousness and anxiety can trigger a rise in body temperature, a phenomenon known as psychogenic fever.
Fight-or-Flight Response: The temperature increase is caused by the activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the release of stress hormones, not by an infection.
Peripheral vs. Core Temperature: Core body temperature may increase while peripheral areas like hands and feet can feel colder due to blood flow redirection during the stress response.
Traditional Medication Ineffective: Standard antipyretic drugs like acetaminophen or ibuprofen do not typically reduce psychogenic fever, as it is not an inflammatory process.
Addressing Underlying Stress is Key: The most effective way to manage psychogenic fever is to address the root cause, which is the underlying psychological stress or anxiety.
Consult a Professional: It is important to consult a healthcare provider to rule out any other medical conditions causing the elevated temperature.

The Science of Stress and Temperature

When we become nervous or anxious, our body's fight-or-flight response is activated by the sympathetic nervous system. This evolutionary mechanism prepares the body for a perceived threat, whether real or imagined. Stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol are released, causing a cascade of physical changes designed for immediate action. A key part of this reaction is the process of thermogenesis, or heat production, which can lead to a rise in core body temperature.

This isn't a true fever caused by a pathogen, but rather a form of hyperthermia induced by psychological factors. The body's metabolic rate increases and blood vessels constrict, redirecting blood flow to major organs and muscles, which can create a sensation of internal heat. While the core temperature may rise, peripheral areas like the hands and feet can feel cold due to this redirection of blood.

Psychogenic Fever: The Mind-Body Connection

First described in the early 20th century, psychogenic fever refers to an elevated body temperature that is associated with emotional distress or psychological stress. Unlike regular fevers, which are a symptom of the body fighting an infection, psychogenic fever is a psychosomatic response and is not reduced by traditional antipyretic drugs like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

Acute vs. Chronic Stress Effects

Acute Stress-Induced Hyperthermia: A single, stressful event—like an exam, public speaking, or a job interview—can cause a transient, monophasic rise in body temperature that returns to normal relatively quickly. This is a temporary spike caused by the immediate fight-or-flight activation.
Chronic Stress-Induced Low-Grade Fever: Prolonged, unrelenting stress can lead to a persistent low-grade fever that can last for weeks, months, or even years. In these cases, the body's sympathetic nervous system remains in a heightened state of arousal, perpetually influencing thermoregulation.

Comparison: Psychogenic Fever vs. Infectious Fever


Feature	Psychogenic Fever	Infectious Fever
Cause	Psychological stress, anxiety, emotional events	Infection from bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens
Effectiveness of Medications	Not responsive to antipyretics (e.g., Tylenol, Advil). May respond to anxiolytics.	Typically responds well to antipyretics and/or antibiotics.
Associated Symptoms	Can include anxiety, fatigue, headaches, palpitations, rapid heart rate, and emotional distress.	Often includes chills, body aches, sore throat, cough, and other signs of infection.
Diagnostic Indicators	Medical tests typically show no infection or inflammatory markers.	Lab tests usually reveal markers of infection or inflammation.

Managing Your Stress-Induced Temperature Changes

If you believe your temperature fluctuations are a result of nervousness, addressing the underlying psychological cause is the key to finding relief. Since standard fever reducers are ineffective, a different approach is necessary. For those experiencing a temperature spike, managing the immediate anxiety can help to bring it down. In cases of chronic, low-grade temperature elevation, long-term stress management is crucial.

1. Relaxation Techniques

Deep Breathing Exercises: Focus on slow, deep breaths. This activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which counteracts the fight-or-flight response and promotes a calming effect.
Mindfulness and Meditation: Regular practice can help train your mind to better handle stressful thoughts and reduce overall anxiety levels.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Tensing and releasing different muscle groups can help reduce physical tension associated with nervousness.

2. Lifestyle Adjustments

Regular Physical Activity: Exercise is a powerful stress reliever, releasing endorphins and helping to regulate the body's systems.
Sleep Hygiene: Prioritizing quality sleep is essential, as poor sleep can exacerbate stress and anxiety.
Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps regulate overall body temperature.

3. Professional Support

Psychotherapy: For persistent or severe anxiety, therapy—particularly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)—can provide tools to manage stress more effectively.
Medical Evaluation: It is always important to consult a healthcare professional to rule out other medical causes for a fever. A doctor can perform tests to ensure there is no underlying infection or illness and can help distinguish psychogenic fever from other conditions. For further research on the physiological mechanisms, authoritative sources like the National Institutes of Health are available, such as this review on Psychogenic fever and psychological stress.

Conclusion: Your Nervous System's Real-Time Response

In conclusion, your temperature absolutely can go up when you're nervous, as your body's stress response creates a very real physiological reaction. This is not a sign of illness, but a manifestation of anxiety. Understanding this mind-body connection can empower you to manage your symptoms by focusing on stress reduction techniques rather than ineffective fever-reducing medication. Always prioritize a medical evaluation to confirm the cause, but for many, a holistic approach to managing psychological distress offers the most effective path to relief.

Frequently Asked Questions

The temperature increase from nervousness is typically slight in healthy individuals, often less than 1°C. However, in cases of severe anxiety or panic attacks, or with persistent chronic stress, some individuals may experience a more significant increase that can feel like a high fever.

Psychogenic fever is not considered dangerous in itself, as it is a bodily response to stress rather than an illness. However, it can be uncomfortable and distressing. The real risk lies in the underlying, unaddressed psychological stress or anxiety causing it, which should be managed.

During the fight-or-flight response, your body redirects blood flow away from your extremities (hands and feet) and towards your core organs and muscles. This vasoconstriction makes your core feel warmer while your limbs feel colder.

Yes. Nervous sweating is a common response to stress. As the sweat evaporates from your skin, it cools your body down, which can lead to feelings of coldness or chills after an initial hot flash.

The main differentiator is the presence of other infection symptoms, like a cough, muscle aches, or inflammation. A fever from an illness will typically respond to antipyretic medication, while psychogenic fever will not. For a definitive diagnosis, it is always best to consult a doctor.

Since psychogenic fever is directly caused by psychological stress, managing that stress is the most effective way to control your body temperature. Techniques like deep breathing, meditation, and exercise can all help calm the nervous system.

A true fever is an immune-mediated response to an inflammatory cause like an infection. Psychogenic fever is a stress-induced hyperthermia caused by the sympathetic nervous system, and it is not mediated by the inflammatory pathways that cause a true fever.