Mental Health Medications and the Summer Heat

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Written by: Karly Trotter LCSW-C

If you’re taking a mental health medication (i.e. SSRIs, SNRIs, stimulants, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, etc.), read this before the next hot day! Per the CDC, these medications, while immensely helpful for mental health support, can contribute to heat sensitivity in different ways. From reduced thirst sensations and disruption in your body thermoregulates to decreased (or increased) sweating and electrolyte imbalance… your body may not be able to cool itself as well as you’d expect. Some medications, such as lithium, can even lead to drug toxicity if dehydration prevents the medication from effectively clearing from the body in time for the next dose.

Dehydration/heat exhaustion signs to watch out for:

  • Your skin feels hot but you aren’t sweating

  • Excessive sweating

  • Increased heat perception or difficulty sensing the heat

  • Increased urination frequency

  • Pounding headache

  • Dizziness / weakness

  • Nausea

  • Confusion

  • Racing Heart

Tips for staying cool in the summer heat:

  • Hydrate before you feel thirsty (thirst always lags behind what your body requires, so drink more in the heat!)

  • Fill several water bottles at the start of the day so you are prepared to hydrate, and log your water intake to stay on track

  • Skip peak sun hours if possible (10am-4pm)

  • Wear loose, sweat wicking, natural fabrics and light colored clothing as much as possible

  • Always apply sunscreen when you are outdoors

  • Cool water on your wrists and neck can help when you start to feel flushed, or you can keep single use cold packs in your bag or in your car to help you cool down

  • Try to stay in cool environments where there is adequate AC

  • Blast yourself with a cold shower to help regulate your body temperature rather than toughing it out

It’s important that you continue taking any mental health medications as prescribed, even on hot summer days; stopping medications abruptly can have serious risks and negative side effects. If you are consistently struggling in the summer heat, ask your prescriber to assess if your medications are appropriate for you and/or develop a plan together for how to navigate the hot weather. You can learn more about heat and medications by visiting the CDC’s website. 

References:

“Heat and Medications – Guidance for Clinicians.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 18 Sept. 2025, www.cdc.gov/heat-health/hcp/clinical-guidance/heat-and-medications-guidance-for-clinicians.html.