Human Barometer: What's that? you may be asking. A human barometer, what's a human barometer? I'm a human barometer. While plenty of scientists have tried, most have failed to prove the existence of human barometric sensing*. Still, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence pointing to its existence. This web page discusses my personal experience as a human barometer, and belief in this phenomena. It's real I tell you, my bones tell me so!

Definition: Barometric pressure. Barometric pressure is the pressure that air exerts upon the environment. This pressure is caused by the weight of all the air above the ground pressing down - gravity pulls air toward the earth just as it pulls everything else. It's called "barometric" pressure because an instrument called a barometer is used to measure air pressure. Barometric pressure is real. Air does have weight. Scientifically proven, observable fact.

Human detection: So can people detect atmospheric pressure? All forms of physical pressure are detectable by humans using the sense of touch. In other words, yes, humans can detect pressure. If you've ever been in a barometric chamber you can easily attest to the truth of this fact. Gradual changes in atmospheric pressure are typically undetectable. Severe changes in barometric pressure are easier to detect. Have you seen the movie 'Total Recall'? If you have, you may remember Arnold's eyes popping out their sockets during a sequence where he's exposed to the low pressure environment of mars.

Additional information: As of 5 Jun 2008, I found information which confirms the bodies ability to detect and react to barometric pressure. A well documented fact (try a search on the internet and you'll find plenty of supporting articles/studies). Studies (conducted on airmen/flight crews) show that decreased barometric pressure induces the tendency/desire to sleep (Effects of Mild Hypobaric Hypoxia on Oxygen Saturation During Sleep). As barometric pressure is reduced, the air around us carries less oxygen. Our body needs oxygen in order to work and operate at peak effeciency. Reducing the amount of oxygen in our blood reduces the bodies ability to do work. Reduction in available oxygen (induced by reduction in atmospheric pressure) brings about 'symptoms' associated with sleepiness. In addition, simply lying down induces similar symptoms. Why do you fall asleep when you lie down? lying down induces changes in your body chemistry. It may be that lying down reduces your bodies intake/absorption of oxygen.

I must admit that I (and many others (as evidenced by email I've received)) certainly experience the 'sleepiness' symptoms as described above. Have you ever wondered why people described rainy weather as 'good sleeping weather'? Well, now you know. A reduction in barometric pressure (which accompanies most storms) reduces the amount of oxygen in the air you breath. A reduction of oxygen in your blood (from breathing 'thinner' air) induces sleepiness. Fact! Look it up.

How does it feel?: I can feel changes in atmospheric pressure. I swear it! What does it feel like? It's a dull to sharp pain in my joints and muscles. How do I explain it? I'm not absolutely sure (I'm not a doctor/medically trained) what causes it, but I've got my suspicions. I'm thinking that it's the fluid and gasses in my joints. As the atmospheric pressure drops, these fluids and gasses expand. As the fluids and gasses in the joint expand, they press against nerves around my joints. This is translated into pain by my brain. It hurts. The only real relief I get when this happens, is from massaging my muscles, or cracking my joints. The feeling is strongest in the joints of my toes and hands. I have no idea why my calves would ache when this happens, but they ache as well. Perhaps the same nerves as those around my joints are involved.

Other's experience: My mother was the first person I've ever known who experienced this phenomena. She used to say that she could feel storms coming. When I was young, and knew everything, I didn't believe a word she said. She used to say that her shoulders and back ached just before a storm. Now of course, I believe her. My experience with this weather related phenomena snuck up on me slowly with age. I had no feeling for the changes in pressure when I was young. As I began to get older (20's to 30's) the sensation began to get more intense. I hope it doesn't get much worse because it's rather uncomfortable right now. In addition to my mother, I've read accounts in magazines, and on the internet, of others who seem to be experiencing the same phenomena.

Weather prediction: So what do my aching joints have to do with the weather. Well, most storm fronts are preceded by a drop in atmospheric pressure. Precipitation is only possible under certain conditions. One condition which facilitates precipitation is reduction of atmospheric pressure. As a storm front approaches an area, the atmospheric pressure in the area preceding the front drops considerably. My swelling, aching joints give me a relatively accurate warning of any approaching low pressure fronts. These low pressure fronts usually indicate a storm or precipitation is approaching the area. Any bad weather usually arrives within 24 hours or less.

How accurate?: I have absolutely no idea how accurate this form of weather prediction is, but when I start cracking my toes, and massaging my calves, I know we're due for some bad weather. My wife says I'm about 80% accurate. Perhaps I should try keeping a weather log. I could record the intensity of the pain, my predictions regarding any approaching weather, and then follow up with the observed results.

Does this happen to you?: Are you a weather predictor? Do your joints or muscles ache at the approach of a storm or foul weather? Please tell me about your experience. I can't be the only one who believes in or experiences this phenomena. The scientists may not be able to prove or explain it, but that doesn't mean it isn't real.

References: Here's a list of web based references regarding joint pain and weather prediction.
* Or does it? Here's a link to the results of one government sponsored study (By Spain), that positively links low atmospheric pressure with increased arthritic pain.

http://www.weather.com/newscenter/topstories/health/achesandpains/010712pressurearthritis.html?from=apfl
http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/water-sports/scuba3.htm
http://www.ehow.co.uk/list_6831645_human-factors-barometric-pressure-tolerances.html
http://www.ehow.co.uk/how-does_5179460_barometric-pressure-affect-human-body_.html
* http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15633634

A two month study of barometric pain
(by Christopher Farrell - April 28 - June 28 2006)

Forward:
Back in July of 2006, I received an email from a visitor to "Rob's World!". The author of the data/article that follows had read my article about the 'Human Barometer' (see above). He wanted to let me know that I wasn't the only one suffering from atmospheric pain. Not only did he suffer the same pain related symptoms, he'd come to the same conclusions I had. That atmospheric pressure was the culprit for the pain in our joints. Not only was he convinced by the relationship, he set out on an ambitious effort to prove it. What follows is a two month study that he completed. The results of that study show a clear causal relationship between falling atmospheric pressure and joint related pain.
- Robert L. Vaessen