Britannica Sources used in this answer

Why can the same cold stimulus feel pleasant when a person is overheated?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

thermoreception in polar bears — Thermoreception Warm-blooded animals, such as polar bears, maintain stable body temperatures and adapt to substantial geographic and seasonal temperature fluctuations. Thermal adaptation is supported by the function of sensory structures called thermoreceptors.

In humans, the perception of thermal comfort or discomfort is not determined solely by the temperature of the skin; rather, it reflects the overall state of the body’s thermoregulation system.1

While thermoreceptors in the skin provide data about local temperature, this information is integrated with signals from the brainstem, hypothalamus, and other internal regions that monitor the body's core condition. Because these integrative centers aim to maintain an optimal core body temperature, they generate emotional experiences—such as feelings of comfort or discomfort—to motivate behaviors that support homeostasis.123

Consequently, the same cold stimulus can be perceived differently depending on the body's internal needs:
* When overheated: The body requires heat loss to return to its optimal temperature. Therefore, a cold stimulus is perceived as pleasant because it aligns with the homeostatic goal of cooling the body.1
* When chilled: If the core body temperature is already low, the same cold stimulus is perceived as distinctly unpleasant, as it threatens the body's internal stability and triggers heat-conservation mechanisms.1