Revealing the mystery: is the cold psychological?

We all know someone who continues to wear short sleeves in the middle of winter, even though we are in the middle of the polar cold wave. So, is the cold psychological? Well, there are different sensory receptors involved in temperature detection by the human nervous system. These are part of the extensive sensory network through which the body perceives stimuli from the environment.

But can our mind influence these receptors? It intervenes in how we perceive sensory stimuli, including the sensation of cold or heat. And these, in turn, intervene in how we perceive temperature, but it does not mean that cold or heat are completely “psychological.”

However, a group of researchers demonstrated that it is possible to control body temperature through the mind. The study, published in the journal PLoS One In 2013, he reported cases of significant increases in core body temperature in Tibetan nuns practicing g-tummo meditation.

Is the cold psychological?

The cold itself is not psychological; It is a physical sensation that occurs when our body experiences low temperatures. If we face low degrees, the body reacts to maintain its adequate internal temperature and protect yourself from the cold. This physiological response includes the contraction of blood vessels in the skin and the generation of heat through metabolism.

However, there is a phenomenon known as “thermal sensation” or “cold perception” that can be influenced by psychological and environmental factors. This refers to how we perceive temperature according to factors such as humidity, wind and the clothes we wear, in addition to our own psychological response to the environment.

For example, when we are in emotional or stressful situations, we may feel colder or hotter than the ambient temperature would indicate. Anxiety, fear or excitement mediate how we perceive the cold.

It is also common to experience the phenomenon known as “goosebumps” in situations of stress or nervousness, which is a reaction of the autonomic nervous system to certain emotions. In fact, according to a study published in the journal Psychological Scienceloneliness and/or social exclusion can cause the feeling of cold.

How can the cold affect us psychologically?

The cold affects the mental level in several ways. Although most people tend to focus on the physical effects, it is important to recognize that It also has a significant impact on mental health and emotional well-being. Exposure to cold temperatures for a prolonged period is associated with changes in mood.

The cold can make the body work harder to maintain the appropriate internal temperature, perhaps leading to a feeling of fatigue and lack of energy, affecting our motivation and ability to concentrate.

In the same way, interferes with sleep quality in terms of difficulty falling or staying asleep. Cold temperatures may make you uncomfortable in bed and cause disruptions in your sleep cycle.

For example, some people feel more sad, irritable or apathetic in cold weather, what is known as “winter blues” or seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

According to a publication in the Magazine of the Spanish Association of Neurpsychiatry, this disorder can affect up to 10% of the population. Its symptoms include drowsiness and/or emotional hunger, weakness or apathy most of the time, and loss of interest in activities that were previously enjoyed.

Is it possible to cause the sensation of cold mentally?

That’s how it is. However, it is more about the intensity that we attribute to our own perception of our sensations. That is to say, The brain is an organ with the ability to influence the perception of physical and emotional sensations.

The mind and body are interconnected and thoughts and emotions are very influential. If we focus on thoughts related to cold, it is possible to experience a physical and emotional response that resembles the sensation of real cold.

This capacity of the mind It has been used in practices such as guided visualization or meditation. Some relaxation and meditation techniques even involve visualizing a cool, calm place to help reduce stress and anxiety.

As for the study on mental control of body temperature, carried out on Tibetan nuns who practiced g-tummo meditation, it is an interesting phenomenon. But These cases are exceptional and do not indicate that all people can control their body temperature in this way.

The ability to influence said temperature through the mind is a rare ability and not fully understood by science at this time. However, it is important to note that although we can provoke cold sensations through imagination, this does not change the temperature of the environment nor does it have a direct effect on our physical health.

So, is cold more of a physiological or psychological response?

Cold is primarily a physiological response rather than a psychological one. When our body is exposed to low temperatures, we experience a series of physical responses to maintain an ideal internal temperature. Therefore, it is a physiological and environmental response that affects body temperature and has real bodily effects.

What would be interpreted as psychological in relation to the cold are the subjective perceptions of temperature and how these interact with emotions and thoughts. Besides, our emotional and cognitive responses to the cold would be modulated by psychological factors such as moodanxiety or exposure to stressful situations.

Some tolerate low temperatures better and do not experience significant impacts on their mental health, while others are more sensitive; due to genetic factors, acclimatization and personal preferences. In any case, it is essential to take care of your physical and mental health during cold weather. And seek professional help when faced with significant difficulties in emotional well-being.

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