A groundbreaking new study published in the European Journal of Neuroscience is reshaping our understanding of how anxiety affects bodily awareness—especially among women. According to the research, women who experience high levels of anxiety are significantly less able to accurately interpret signals from their own bodies, such as subtle changes in breathing. This gender-specific effect is not seen in men, underscoring the need for more nuanced approaches to mental health, and has important implications for how Thai society addresses anxiety among women (source: Vice).
In the high-pressure world of modern Thailand, anxiety is both common and often overlooked, especially among women juggling family obligations, economic uncertainties, and traditional expectations. This new research matters to Thai readers because it offers a scientific explanation for a feeling many women already describe—being “out of tune” with their bodies during periods of stress or worry. The study also highlights the urgent need for gender-sensitive screening and support mechanisms in mental health care, a topic that’s increasingly relevant in Thai health policy debates.
The researchers conducted a controlled experiment involving both male and female participants. Each subject was asked to breathe through a device that would occasionally introduce barely perceptible resistance—a subtle manipulation designed to mimic real-world bodily changes. Afterwards, participants reported whether they noticed any resistance and how confident they felt in their responses. The scientists measured several factors: sensitivity to changes, decisiveness, and metacognitive insight (confidence vs. accuracy).
Remarkably, while both men and women demonstrated similar baseline bodily awareness (known as interoception), only among women did heightened anxiety correlate with reduced ability to accurately interpret their own body’s signals. As Dr. Olivia Harrison, senior lecturer at the University of Otago and the study’s lead author, explained: “On average, men and women have the same levels of interoception and related insight towards breathing perceptions. However, the relationship between state anxiety and interoceptive insight is different between men and women—lower anxiety is related to improved insight while greater anxiety is related to worsened insight only in women…" (VICE).
This finding aligns with a growing body of meta-analytic work, such as a 2024 review published in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, which found a consistent relationship between self-reported interoception and anxiety. Specifically, people with higher anxiety reported more negative attention to bodily sensations and had difficulty describing both body signals and emotions (ScienceDirect, ResearchGate). Another recent review in Frontiers in Psychology noted that individuals with anxiety may feel heightened bodily sensations, even if their actual ability to accurately sense changes is diminished (Frontiers).
Interoception—the technical term for “bodily awareness”—is central to many ordinary experiences. For example, knowing when you’re hungry, tired, or in pain, or recognizing the flutter of anxiety in your stomach. When these signals are unclear or misinterpreted, it can lead to harmful cycles of health anxiety, overmedication, or neglect of real symptoms. For Thai women, who may already face stigmas around mental health and stress, these findings have particular resonance. Traditional Thai culture, with its emphasis on kreng jai (consideration for others and reluctance to burden them), may make it even harder for women to discuss or seek help for anxiety-related body misperceptions.
Experts interviewed in the global literature emphasize that these findings should not be misinterpreted as suggesting women are overreacting or “imagining” their symptoms. Rather, they suggest anxiety interferes with the brain’s processing of bodily signals, potentially leading to both under- and over-awareness in different situations. “Understanding the gendered nature of anxiety’s effects could pave the way for more precise, compassionate treatment,” says Dr. Harrison.
For the Thai context specifically, this new research highlights the importance of integrating mental and physical health care. For instance, a young woman experiencing heart palpitations during exam season may not benefit from being told to “just relax” by family or teachers. Instead, clinicians and educators should recognize the legitimate physiological confusion driven by anxiety and provide gender-sensitive support.
Historically, Thai medical practice has finessed the integration of mind and body in traditional approaches, such as the use of nuad boran (traditional massage) to relieve both physical discomfort and emotional stress. However, as Western models of health care increasingly dominate, modern Thai women may find themselves caught between two worlds—expected to maintain the composure of traditional femininity while navigating contemporary stress.
Looking ahead, the research opens new avenues for prevention and intervention. Thai mental health practitioners, policy makers, and educators should consider anxiety screening programs that include questions about bodily awareness, particularly for women. Support groups, mindfulness training, and movement therapies—like yoga or tai chi—can help strengthen the mind-body connection and improve interoception. Furthermore, public health campaigns should destigmatize anxiety and recognize its uniquely disruptive effects on women’s well-being.
As practical steps, Thai readers—especially women—are encouraged to pay attention to their own bodily signals, keep a journal of symptoms, and seek help if they find themselves “lost in their bodies” during anxious periods. Family and friends can offer support by listening without judgment, while educators and employers can provide resources for stress management. By taking anxiety seriously and understanding its hidden effects on body awareness, Thailand can foster a healthier, more resilient society for all.
For further reading and tips on managing anxiety and improving bodily awareness, readers can visit these resources: European Journal of Neuroscience summary, ScienceDirect meta-analysis, Frontiers in Psychology review, ResearchGate systematic review, and a review of body awareness practices in Thailand.