Changes in mood during acute hypoglycemia in healthy participants

J Pers Soc Psychol. 1995 Mar;68(3):498-504. doi: 10.1037//0022-3514.68.3.498.

Abstract

Acute hypoglycemia provides a reproducible method of investigating the effect of biological changes induced during hypoglycemia on mood states. Hypoglycemia was induced twice using a hyperinsulinemic glucose clamp in 24 nondiabetic human participants; a euglycemic placebo control study was also performed. Serial changes in mood were assessed using the UWIST Mood Adjective Checklist before, during, and after 60 min of controlled hypoglycemia (2.5 mmol/l). Hypoglycemia induced a significant reduction in hedonic tone (p = .001), a significant increase in tense arousal (p < .0005), and a significant decline in energetic arousal (p = .01) in comparison with the euglycemia control study. Profound changes in mood were observed in nondiabetic participants during acute hypoglycemia, and a state called tense tiredness persisted for at least 30 min after restoration of euglycemia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Affect / physiology*
  • Arousal / physiology
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperinsulinism / blood
  • Hyperinsulinism / psychology
  • Hypoglycemia / blood
  • Hypoglycemia / psychology*
  • Male
  • Personality Inventory

Substances

  • Blood Glucose