Aha! This is why cold sometimes feels so good

Why does a fresh breeze feel so good on a hot day? Researchers at the University of Michigan now have a surprising scientific answer.

They discovered a separate nerve pathway in our body specifically designed for sensing coolness . A kind of internal highway from the skin to the brain, with an unexpected amplifier in the spinal cord.

The study, published in the journal Nature Communications , maps the complete pathway of cold signals for the first time. It begins in the skin, where special temperature sensors can detect small fluctuations between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius. These sensors then send signals via nerves to the spinal cord. There, the cool signal is amplified by a cluster of nerve cells, making it powerful enough to reach the brain.

"Until now, we knew about the existence of these thermometers in the skin, but this amplification in the spinal cord was new to us," says lead researcher Bo Duan. "Without this amplification, the cold signal doesn't get through properly."

The research not only provides insight into how our bodies register temperature but also has medical relevance. For example, a large proportion of people undergoing chemotherapy experience pain from cold. Although this pain arises via a different pathway than the normal perception of cold, scientists hope that this kind of fundamental research will help them better understand exactly what goes wrong.

This could ultimately lead to more targeted treatments that relieve pain without disrupting normal temperature perception.

According to Duan, it remains fascinating how the body not only protects us from extreme conditions but can also associate positive feelings with mild cold. Like the fresh breeze on your skin during a summer walk . "When I walk along Lake Michigan in the summer and the wind touches my face, it feels wonderfully cool," says Duan. "But winter... I'd rather skip that."

15 minutes of brisk walking every day? It really does help you live longer.

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