Component

Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 / TRPM8 cold and menthol receptor

Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 / TRPM8 cold and menthol receptor. Species, exposure and limitations are retained in each linked claim.

6 recorded relationships. Experimental role, claim status and evidence remain attached to each record.

How nutrients influence it

Every nutrient with a recorded effect on this component, credited to the nutrient that acted rather than the chapter that recorded it. Open a nutrient to see the findings and the conditions they were measured under.

How nutrients reach it in more than one step

Chains of two or more recorded steps that end here, grouped by the nutrient they start from. Each step is a separate finding, so a chain is a route a mechanism could take, not proof that it does.

Tracing routes…

What it does

Every recorded relationship this component is part of, grouped by its role. Plain wording comes first; the technical statement follows.

Recorded relationships

What it acts on

  1. Cultured sensory neurons and intact sensory nerve fibres from TRPM8-deficient mice showed profoundly diminished responses to cold, demonstrating an essential and predominant role for TRPM8 in thermosensation over a wide range of cold temperatures.

    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_span
    {"source_cache": "artifacts/cold-research/17538622.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "94d6ed0e3d36f9530a7bb47b1635ee1fd438bb60aced91efd69d544b13d18300", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1451, "text_sha256": "94d6ed0e3d36f9530a7bb47b1635ee1fd438bb60aced91efd69d544b13d18300"}
    experimental_model
    TRPM8-deficient mice with cultured sensory neurons, intact nerve fibre recording and behaviour
    exposure
    Ambient cooling below about 26 degrees C; menthol as a chemical agonist
    limitations
    A genetic loss-of-function study. TRPM8 mutant mice still avoid surfaces below 10 degrees C, so the channel is the principal but not the only cold detector.
    nutrient_topic
    Cold water immersion research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and a therapeutic exposure is not a dietary intake. · Cold water immersion
    organism
    Mouse
    plain_language
    One ion channel is what actually reports cold to the nervous system.
    primary_references
    [cold-p17538622] The menthol receptor TRPM8 is the principal detector of environmental cold. (2007). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17538622/ DOI: 10.1038/nature05910
    tissue_or_cell_type
    Primary afferent sensory neurons

    Cold water immersion: cold sensing, heat production, the catecholamine axis and what repeated exposure changes (2026-09-19) · lines 65–76

    AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · TRPM8-deficient mice with cultured sensory neurons, intact nerve fibre recording and behaviour · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ### cold-trpm8-cold-detector Cultured sensory neurons and intact sensory nerve fibres from TRPM8-deficient mice showed profoundly diminished responses to cold, demonstrating an essential and predominant role for TRPM8 in thermosensation over a wide range of cold temperatures. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Cold water immersion research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and a therapeutic exposure is not a dietary intake. plain_language: One ion channel is what actually reports cold to the nervous system. organism: Mouse tissue_or_cell_type: Primary afferent sensory neurons experimental_model: TRPM8-deficient mice with cultured sensory neurons, intact nerve fibre recording and behaviour limitations: A genetic loss-of-function study. TRPM8 mutant mice still avoid surfaces below 10 degrees C, so the channel is the principal but not the only cold detector. exposure: Ambient cooling below about 26 degrees C; menthol as a chemical agonist evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/cold-research/17538622.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "94d6ed0e3d36f9530a7bb47b1635ee1fd438bb60aced91efd69d544b13d18300", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1451, "text_sha256": "94d6ed0e3d36f9530a7bb47b1635ee1fd438bb60aced91efd69d544b13d18300"} [cold-p17538622] The menthol receptor TRPM8 is the principal detector of environmental cold. (2007). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17538622/ DOI: 10.1038/nature05910
    Complete structured claim and evidence
  2. M8-B affected all thermoeffectors studied, including thermal preference, tail-skin vasoconstriction and brown fat thermogenesis, suggesting that TRPM8 is a universal cold receptor in the thermoregulation system, and it attenuated cold-induced c-Fos expression in the lateral parabrachial nucleus.

    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_span
    {"source_cache": "artifacts/cold-research/22323721.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "c0ead3b0097eaa75bf74d806e7f40bc61da4275cdd0af92735be9cad681ed3f0", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1784, "text_sha256": "c0ead3b0097eaa75bf74d806e7f40bc61da4275cdd0af92735be9cad681ed3f0"}
    experimental_model
    Rats and mice with a selective TRPM8 antagonist given by several routes
    exposure
    M8-B intravenously, intrathecally or intracerebroventricularly, at constant or changing ambient temperature
    limitations
    On-target action is supported by the absence of effect in Trpm8-null mice. The peripheral site of action is inferred from route comparison, not from direct measurement at the nerve ending.
    nutrient_topic
    Cold water immersion research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and a therapeutic exposure is not a dietary intake. · Cold water immersion
    organism
    Rat, mouse and human channels in vitro
    plain_language
    The same sensor feeds every cold defence: behaviour, blood vessels and heat production.
    primary_references
    [cold-p22323721] Pharmacological blockade of the cold receptor TRPM8 attenuates autonomic and behavioral cold defenses and decreases deep body temperature. (2012). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22323721/ DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.5606-11.2012
    tissue_or_cell_type
    Skin sensory neurons and thermoeffectors

    Cold water immersion: cold sensing, heat production, the catecholamine axis and what repeated exposure changes (2026-09-19) · lines 104–115

    AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Rats and mice with a selective TRPM8 antagonist given by several routes · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ### cold-trpm8-universal-receptor M8-B affected all thermoeffectors studied, including thermal preference, tail-skin vasoconstriction and brown fat thermogenesis, suggesting that TRPM8 is a universal cold receptor in the thermoregulation system, and it attenuated cold-induced c-Fos expression in the lateral parabrachial nucleus. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Cold water immersion research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and a therapeutic exposure is not a dietary intake. plain_language: The same sensor feeds every cold defence: behaviour, blood vessels and heat production. organism: Rat, mouse and human channels in vitro tissue_or_cell_type: Skin sensory neurons and thermoeffectors experimental_model: Rats and mice with a selective TRPM8 antagonist given by several routes limitations: On-target action is supported by the absence of effect in Trpm8-null mice. The peripheral site of action is inferred from route comparison, not from direct measurement at the nerve ending. exposure: M8-B intravenously, intrathecally or intracerebroventricularly, at constant or changing ambient temperature evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/cold-research/22323721.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "c0ead3b0097eaa75bf74d806e7f40bc61da4275cdd0af92735be9cad681ed3f0", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1784, "text_sha256": "c0ead3b0097eaa75bf74d806e7f40bc61da4275cdd0af92735be9cad681ed3f0"} [cold-p22323721] Pharmacological blockade of the cold receptor TRPM8 attenuates autonomic and behavioral cold defenses and decreases deep body temperature. (2012). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22323721/ DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.5606-11.2012
    Complete structured claim and evidence

Where it participates (unsigned role)

  1. M8-B decreased deep body temperature in Trpm8-positive mice and rats but not in Trpm8-null mice, and intravenous administration was more effective than intrathecal or intracerebroventricular, indicating a peripheral action.

    Experimental context and source evidence
    availability_state
    machinery_impairment Imported condition classification; unverified.
    evidence_span
    {"source_cache": "artifacts/cold-research/22323721.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "c0ead3b0097eaa75bf74d806e7f40bc61da4275cdd0af92735be9cad681ed3f0", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1784, "text_sha256": "c0ead3b0097eaa75bf74d806e7f40bc61da4275cdd0af92735be9cad681ed3f0"}
    experimental_model
    Rats and mice with a selective TRPM8 antagonist given by several routes
    exposure
    M8-B intravenously, intrathecally or intracerebroventricularly, at constant or changing ambient temperature
    limitations
    On-target action is supported by the absence of effect in Trpm8-null mice. The peripheral site of action is inferred from route comparison, not from direct measurement at the nerve ending.
    nutrient_topic
    Cold water immersion research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and a therapeutic exposure is not a dietary intake. · Cold water immersion
    organism
    Rat, mouse and human channels in vitro
    plain_language
    Blocking the skin cold sensor makes the body cool down, because it never learns it is cold.
    primary_references
    [cold-p22323721] Pharmacological blockade of the cold receptor TRPM8 attenuates autonomic and behavioral cold defenses and decreases deep body temperature. (2012). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22323721/ DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.5606-11.2012
    tissue_or_cell_type
    Skin sensory neurons and thermoeffectors
    trigger_kind
    machinery_impairment Imported condition classification; unverified.

    Cold water immersion: cold sensing, heat production, the catecholamine axis and what repeated exposure changes (2026-09-19) · lines 91–102

    AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Rats and mice with a selective TRPM8 antagonist given by several routes · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ### cold-trpm8-blockade-temperature M8-B decreased deep body temperature in Trpm8-positive mice and rats but not in Trpm8-null mice, and intravenous administration was more effective than intrathecal or intracerebroventricular, indicating a peripheral action. Condition category: machinery_impairment nutrient_topic: Cold water immersion research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and a therapeutic exposure is not a dietary intake. plain_language: Blocking the skin cold sensor makes the body cool down, because it never learns it is cold. organism: Rat, mouse and human channels in vitro tissue_or_cell_type: Skin sensory neurons and thermoeffectors experimental_model: Rats and mice with a selective TRPM8 antagonist given by several routes limitations: On-target action is supported by the absence of effect in Trpm8-null mice. The peripheral site of action is inferred from route comparison, not from direct measurement at the nerve ending. exposure: M8-B intravenously, intrathecally or intracerebroventricularly, at constant or changing ambient temperature evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/cold-research/22323721.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "c0ead3b0097eaa75bf74d806e7f40bc61da4275cdd0af92735be9cad681ed3f0", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1784, "text_sha256": "c0ead3b0097eaa75bf74d806e7f40bc61da4275cdd0af92735be9cad681ed3f0"} [cold-p22323721] Pharmacological blockade of the cold receptor TRPM8 attenuates autonomic and behavioral cold defenses and decreases deep body temperature. (2012). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22323721/ DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.5606-11.2012
    Complete structured claim and evidence
  2. TRPM8-deficient animals showed clear behavioural deficits in discriminating between cold and warm surfaces and in responding to evaporative cooling, while still avoiding surfaces below 10 degrees C with reduced efficiency.

    Experimental context and source evidence
    availability_state
    machinery_impairment Imported condition classification; unverified.
    evidence_span
    {"source_cache": "artifacts/cold-research/17538622.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "94d6ed0e3d36f9530a7bb47b1635ee1fd438bb60aced91efd69d544b13d18300", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1451, "text_sha256": "94d6ed0e3d36f9530a7bb47b1635ee1fd438bb60aced91efd69d544b13d18300"}
    experimental_model
    TRPM8-deficient mice with cultured sensory neurons, intact nerve fibre recording and behaviour
    exposure
    Ambient cooling below about 26 degrees C; menthol as a chemical agonist
    limitations
    A genetic loss-of-function study. TRPM8 mutant mice still avoid surfaces below 10 degrees C, so the channel is the principal but not the only cold detector.
    nutrient_topic
    Cold water immersion research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and a therapeutic exposure is not a dietary intake. · Cold water immersion
    organism
    Mouse
    plain_language
    Without the channel the animal cannot tell cold from warm, though extreme cold still registers somehow.
    primary_references
    [cold-p17538622] The menthol receptor TRPM8 is the principal detector of environmental cold. (2007). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17538622/ DOI: 10.1038/nature05910
    tissue_or_cell_type
    Primary afferent sensory neurons
    trigger_kind
    machinery_impairment Imported condition classification; unverified.

    Cold water immersion: cold sensing, heat production, the catecholamine axis and what repeated exposure changes (2026-09-19) · lines 78–89

    AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · TRPM8-deficient mice with cultured sensory neurons, intact nerve fibre recording and behaviour · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ### cold-trpm8-null-behaviour TRPM8-deficient animals showed clear behavioural deficits in discriminating between cold and warm surfaces and in responding to evaporative cooling, while still avoiding surfaces below 10 degrees C with reduced efficiency. Condition category: machinery_impairment nutrient_topic: Cold water immersion research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and a therapeutic exposure is not a dietary intake. plain_language: Without the channel the animal cannot tell cold from warm, though extreme cold still registers somehow. organism: Mouse tissue_or_cell_type: Primary afferent sensory neurons experimental_model: TRPM8-deficient mice with cultured sensory neurons, intact nerve fibre recording and behaviour limitations: A genetic loss-of-function study. TRPM8 mutant mice still avoid surfaces below 10 degrees C, so the channel is the principal but not the only cold detector. exposure: Ambient cooling below about 26 degrees C; menthol as a chemical agonist evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/cold-research/17538622.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "94d6ed0e3d36f9530a7bb47b1635ee1fd438bb60aced91efd69d544b13d18300", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1451, "text_sha256": "94d6ed0e3d36f9530a7bb47b1635ee1fd438bb60aced91efd69d544b13d18300"} [cold-p17538622] The menthol receptor TRPM8 is the principal detector of environmental cold. (2007). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17538622/ DOI: 10.1038/nature05910
    Complete structured claim and evidence
  3. TRPM8 ablation had no effect on total electromyographic muscle activity, on tachycardia, or on the drop in core temperature during cold exposure, with vehicle, compound 5 and TRPM8 knockout values closely similar across all three measures.

    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_span
    {"source_cache": "artifacts/dihydrocapsaicin-research/24005250.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "e9d99ac4cc7a031474975ac4d7f3bcff0df922dc01047fe94bd51817ef5b3fea", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1963, "text_sha256": "e9d99ac4cc7a031474975ac4d7f3bcff0df922dc01047fe94bd51817ef5b3fea"}
    experimental_model
    Conscious mice exposed to 10 degree cooling with implanted electromyography electrodes, electrocardiography and abdominal temperature transmitters
    exposure
    TRPV1 agonist dihydrocapsaicin or TRPM8 inhibitor compound 5, with TRPM8 knockout mice as a control
    limitations
    This is the record that explains why the drug is clinically interesting rather than merely cooling: it removes the defence that makes physical cooling intolerable in a conscious patient.
    nutrient_topic
    Dihydrocapsaicin research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and dihydrocapsaicin is recorded separately from capsaicin. · Dihydrocapsaicin
    organism
    Mouse
    plain_language
    Deleting the cold receptor changed nothing about the body’s answer to cold.
    primary_references
    [dhc-p24005250] Shivering and tachycardic responses to external cooling in mice are substantially suppressed by TRPV1 activation but not by TRPM8 inhibition. (2013). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24005250/ DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00296.2013
    tissue_or_cell_type
    Back muscle, heart and core

    Dihydrocapsaicin: the second capsaicinoid, the hypothermia it is used to induce, what the gut and liver do to it, and what it does without TRPV1 (2026-09-21) · lines 257–268

    AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Conscious mice exposed to 10 degree cooling with implanted electromyography electrodes, electrocardiography and abdominal temperature transmitters · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ### dhc-trpm8-ablation-does-nothing TRPM8 ablation had no effect on total electromyographic muscle activity, on tachycardia, or on the drop in core temperature during cold exposure, with vehicle, compound 5 and TRPM8 knockout values closely similar across all three measures. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Dihydrocapsaicin research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and dihydrocapsaicin is recorded separately from capsaicin. plain_language: Deleting the cold receptor changed nothing about the body’s answer to cold. organism: Mouse tissue_or_cell_type: Back muscle, heart and core experimental_model: Conscious mice exposed to 10 degree cooling with implanted electromyography electrodes, electrocardiography and abdominal temperature transmitters limitations: This is the record that explains why the drug is clinically interesting rather than merely cooling: it removes the defence that makes physical cooling intolerable in a conscious patient. exposure: TRPV1 agonist dihydrocapsaicin or TRPM8 inhibitor compound 5, with TRPM8 knockout mice as a control evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/dihydrocapsaicin-research/24005250.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "e9d99ac4cc7a031474975ac4d7f3bcff0df922dc01047fe94bd51817ef5b3fea", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1963, "text_sha256": "e9d99ac4cc7a031474975ac4d7f3bcff0df922dc01047fe94bd51817ef5b3fea"} [dhc-p24005250] Shivering and tachycardic responses to external cooling in mice are substantially suppressed by TRPV1 activation but not by TRPM8 inhibition. (2013). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24005250/ DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00296.2013
    Complete structured claim and evidence
  4. The TRPM8 inhibitor compound 5 at 20 mg/kg subcutaneously augmented the drop in core temperature during cold exposure at 8 degrees, and when combined with dihydrocapsaicin at 1.25 to 2.5 mg/kg the drop in core temperature was amplified and prolonged, so that activating warm receptors and simultaneously inhibiting cold receptors potentiated the effect.

    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_span
    {"source_cache": "artifacts/dihydrocapsaicin-research/24595220.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "f8844f6469d0412a4fabe00ebd706924083ebc2759c847bff9da104ae4404a87", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1882, "text_sha256": "f8844f6469d0412a4fabe00ebd706924083ebc2759c847bff9da104ae4404a87"}
    experimental_model
    Controlled prospective study in conscious unrestrained young and aged male mice with implanted thermocouples and wireless transponders
    exposure
    Dihydrocapsaicin 2 to 4 mg/kg subcutaneously, alone and combined with the TRPM8 inhibitor compound 5 at 20 to 30 mg/kg
    limitations
    Includes aged animals, which most of this collection does not. Its finding that the effect does not desensitise is the direct opposite of the 1982 rat result and the two are recorded as conflicting.
    nutrient_topic
    Dihydrocapsaicin research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and dihydrocapsaicin is recorded separately from capsaicin. · Dihydrocapsaicin
    organism
    Mouse
    plain_language
    Blocking the cold sensor at the same time makes the cooling go deeper and last longer.
    primary_references
    [dhc-p24595220] Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 channel inhibition potentiates the hypothermic response to transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 activation in the conscious mouse. (2014). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24595220/ DOI: 10.1097/ccm.0000000000000229
    tissue_or_cell_type
    Core temperature

    Dihydrocapsaicin: the second capsaicinoid, the hypothermia it is used to induce, what the gut and liver do to it, and what it does without TRPV1 (2026-09-21) · lines 283–294

    AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Controlled prospective study in conscious unrestrained young and aged male mice with implanted thermocouples and wireless transponders · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    ### dhc-trpm8-inhibition-potentiates The TRPM8 inhibitor compound 5 at 20 mg/kg subcutaneously augmented the drop in core temperature during cold exposure at 8 degrees, and when combined with dihydrocapsaicin at 1.25 to 2.5 mg/kg the drop in core temperature was amplified and prolonged, so that activating warm receptors and simultaneously inhibiting cold receptors potentiated the effect. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Dihydrocapsaicin research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and dihydrocapsaicin is recorded separately from capsaicin. plain_language: Blocking the cold sensor at the same time makes the cooling go deeper and last longer. organism: Mouse tissue_or_cell_type: Core temperature experimental_model: Controlled prospective study in conscious unrestrained young and aged male mice with implanted thermocouples and wireless transponders limitations: Includes aged animals, which most of this collection does not. Its finding that the effect does not desensitise is the direct opposite of the 1982 rat result and the two are recorded as conflicting. exposure: Dihydrocapsaicin 2 to 4 mg/kg subcutaneously, alone and combined with the TRPM8 inhibitor compound 5 at 20 to 30 mg/kg evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/dihydrocapsaicin-research/24595220.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "f8844f6469d0412a4fabe00ebd706924083ebc2759c847bff9da104ae4404a87", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1882, "text_sha256": "f8844f6469d0412a4fabe00ebd706924083ebc2759c847bff9da104ae4404a87"} [dhc-p24595220] Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 channel inhibition potentiates the hypothermic response to transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 activation in the conscious mouse. (2014). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24595220/ DOI: 10.1097/ccm.0000000000000229
    Complete structured claim and evidence

In the sources

Preserved passages that mention this component, quoted exactly. Open one to read it in context.

    This is a research prototype built from draft material. It is not medical advice, and its statements still await verification against the original studies.

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