Think about losing everything in a devastating fire: your home, your memories, your sense of security. Now imagine that on top of that, the disaster has also silently changed your brain, impairing your ability to make sound decisions about your future. That's the alarming conclusion of a new study. published Scientific Reports. Researchers at the University of California San Diego have found that survivors of the 2018 Camp Fire (one of the most devastating in California history) show significant changes in the brain circuits responsible for decision-making. It's as if the trauma of natural disasters leaves an invisible but profound imprint, altering not only our emotional state, but also the way our brains process choices.
The brain that no longer knows how to choose
The study, led by Jyoti Mishra, associate professor at UC San Diego School of Medicine and co-director of theUniversity of California Climate Resilience Initiative, involved 75 participants divided into three groups: survivors directly exposed to the fire, indirectly exposed people (community members who witnessed the fire but were not directly affected), and an unexposed control group.
The results are frankly disturbing.. The survivors of the fire they showed a significant reduction in the ability to make choices that prioritize long-term benefits. In technical terms, they exhibited reduced “Win-Stay” behavior, meaning they were less likely to continue selecting the option with the higher rewards in the long term.
Our previous research has shown that survivors of the 2018 Camp Fire in California experience prolonged symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression along with hyper-distractibility.
Natural Disaster Trauma: Directionless Overstimulation
The study goes beyond simple behavioral tests. Using electroencephalography (EEG), researchers recorded participants' brain activity as they performed decision-making tasks with monetary rewards. The scans revealed hyperactivity in the parietal region of the brainor, located in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), an area associated with deep thinking.
Jason Nano, a bioengineering student at UC San Diego and first author of the study, explains:
“It was clear that the brains of participants directly exposed to forest fires became significantly hyper-aroused when they tried to make appropriate decisions, but still failed to perform well on the task.”
Implications for the future
What makes this study particularly relevant is that forest fires are becoming more frequent due to the climate change. And it seems it’s no longer just about protecting our homes and forests, but also our minds.
I am particularly struck by how these findings could have implications far beyond fires. Think of all the communities affected by floods, hurricanes, prolonged droughts. We are talking about a potential tsunami of cognitive damage that could make post-disaster recovery and planning for a sustainable future even more difficult.
The study authors suggest that mindfulness and compassion training could help suppress ruminative thoughts and thus mitigate the effects of trauma. But the real challenge will be to mobilize resources for early post-disaster interventions, in a world where climate disasters increasingly become the norm, not the exception.
