Waking Up to the Impact of Extreme Heat on Our Mental Health By Thierry Malleret, economist At the end of July, global temperatures reached their highest level ever in recorded history. Coming years look to be even hotter. Climate risk being the “mother” of all risks, every single corner of the wellness industry will be affected by it. One new dimension that scientists are just…
Lancet Report: “Megatrends” Are Taking Major Toll on Youth Mental Health; Policy Action Needed Climate, technology and economic issues are leading to high levels of anxiety and depression, and rising rates of self-harm and suicide among adolescents and young adults. The researchers argue for more wellness policy action. By Tonia Callendar, GWI research fellow Declining youth mental health has been a global concern for some…
WHO study finds almost 1.8 billion adults at risk of illness due to lack of exercise–The Independent UK A new study from World Health Organization researchers found physical inactivity globally has risen by about five percentage points between 2010 and 2022. Overall, nearly a third of adults (31%) do not exercise enough, up from 23% (900 million people) in 2000 and 26% in 2010. Women…
Psilocybin Causes “Massive Changes” in the Network of Neurons in the Brain A small 2024 study from Washington University School of Medicine revealed huge changes in the brain-network patterns of study participants that took a large dose of psilocybin. The effects were so strong that Shan Siddiqi, psychiatric neuroscientist at Harvard School of Medicine, explained that their neural patterns “resembled those of a different person entirely.” Seven…
Extreme Heat: The Threat to Existing and Ambitious, New Wellness Destinations By Thierry Malleret, economist Last month, extreme heat caused the deaths of more than 1,300 pilgrims in Mecca (Saudi Arabia), where temperatures exceeded 120°F. Deadly heat also roasted several countries renowned for their tourism industry and wellness resorts (like Greece), making it unbearable to stay outside or inside without air conditioning – and causing…
First-ever 15-Year Time Series Data for the Global Spa Industry—With Forecast through 2027 While the Global Wellness Institute (GWI) is well known for our comprehensive and rigorous wellness economy data, many may not know that our work began over 15 years ago with a focus on the spa industry. GWI’s lead economists released the very first global spa economy study in 2008. Since that time,…
