Is Living In A City Making You Crazy?

Taxis in New York City photo by Bonnie Hulkower

With more than 50% of the world's population currently living in cities and 70% of the world population expected to live in a city by 2050, neurologists are starting to map out the impact of living in cities on one's mental health. City living has many virtues that have been extolled on this website, including some health benefits. Yet researchers say living in a city increases the risk of developing a mental disorder, including depression and schizophrenia, compared to people who live in non-urban areas.
Recent research by McGill University scientists builds on earlier research by mapping out regions of the brain where their urban dwelling study participants showed signs of increase stress stimulated by city living. Their findings, published in Nature will hopefully lead to discussions and strategies on how to improve the quality of life and mental health city dwellers.

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