The Cold Shift

Permanent claim record

Established Physiology

TRPM8 is a cold- and menthol-activated ion channel expressed in a subset of sensory neurons and contributes to somatic cold detection.

Statement type
Established Physiology
Evidence confidence
High
Ice Sack applicability
Mechanistically Relevant
Last reviewed
2026-08-01

Evidence synthesis

Foundational receptor work identified TRPM8 expression in temperature-sensing neurons and activation by cold and menthol.

Limitations

The source used cellular and sensory-neuron models. It does not determine a person’s subjective experience or establish an Ice Sack outcome.

Supporting records

A TRP channel that senses cold stimuli and mentholCell, 2002 · PMID 11893340
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