What Happens Inside Your Brain When It's Too Cold?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHypothermia and Brain FunctionBrain freezeThermoregulationPsychological and Emotional Effects of Cold WeatherHow to Cope

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Hypothermia and Brain Function

Brain freeze

Thermoregulation

Psychological and Emotional Effects of Cold Weather

How to Cope

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If your body is dreading the inevitable freezing temps of the winter season, we’re right there with you. It becomes a bit harder to get out of bed, get moving, and even get our creative juices flowing. Turns out, the phrase ‘It’s too cold, I can’t think straight!’ might actually have some truth to it.

“From a neurological standpoint, cold temperatures and extremely cold temperatures are going to slow down action potential and transmission ofnervous systemimpulses. As far as motor skills, this is going to result in reduced movement speed and difficulty performing fine movements, and it dampens sensory nerves,” says Ryan Kyle Jones, DO, neurointensivist at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital.

Yes, cold weather is certainly uncomfortable for the body, but how does it affect the brain? We tapped into some experts to explain the risks associated with exposure to low temperatures, the impact on brain function, and potential long-term consequences.

How Does Hypothermia Affect Brain Function?

When body temperature is too low due to hypothermia,the braincan be affected. When core body temperature is at 95° F or below, people can experiencedelirium, a state of confusion, disorientation, and inability to think or remember clearly.

HypothermiaHypothermia is a serious condition that requires immediate medical care and may also cause life-threatening harm to other bodily systems. The condition occurs when cold temperatures force a person to lose body heat faster than it can produce it. Normal body temperature is around 98.6° F and becomes dangerous if it falls below 95° F.

Hypothermia

Hypothermia is a serious condition that requires immediate medical care and may also cause life-threatening harm to other bodily systems. The condition occurs when cold temperatures force a person to lose body heat faster than it can produce it. Normal body temperature is around 98.6° F and becomes dangerous if it falls below 95° F.

“Several studies showed cognitive performance specifically tomemoryand attention andexecutive functionafter exposure to a cold stimulus. So, exposure to the cold, not necessarily making the body cold, can also affect your cognitive performance,” Jones notes.

At more extreme temperatures, he says people can experience a loss of consciousness and seizures.

What About Brain Freeze?

Brain freeze is a sharp, fleeting headache-like sensation that occurs when you eat or drink something cold. Jones says about a third of the population experiences brain freeze and that it is more prevalent in children and adolescents than adults.

However, the brain is not actually freezing during this sensation. While it’s not known exactly what causes brain freeze, he says the consensus in the scientific community is that it’s a sensory response from the sensory nerves in the pallets and/or spasm of the blood vessels.

“We know it results when you apply a cold stimulant to the pallet or the oral pharynx in the back of the throat. You get this sharp, deep frontal bi-temporal headache, but it’s generally thought to be harmless and of no concern and should go away quickly,” says Jones.

What is Thermoregulation?

“The way it does that is through sensing temperature both through peripheral nerves via an area of the brain called the preoptic area,” says Jones. “This area is part of the hypothalamus, which has a lot of different functions that reach throughout the brain and body, and one is thermoregulation.”

Ryan Kyle Jones, DOIn terms of causing irreversible damage to brain tissue and brain cells, hyperthermia is probably more harmful than hypothermia

Ryan Kyle Jones, DO

In terms of causing irreversible damage to brain tissue and brain cells, hyperthermia is probably more harmful than hypothermia

Being cold and the fight or flight response are similar responses to two different stimuli, “so the purpose behind peripheral vasal constriction is to conserve heat,” he says.

Exposure to extreme or sustained temperatures that overwhelm the body’s thermoregulatory capacity can result in hypothermia or hyperthermia.

“In terms of causing irreversible damage to brain tissue and brain cells, hyperthermia is probably more harmful than hypothermia,” says Jones.

Deborah Serani, PsyD, professor at Adelphi University and author of “Living with Depression,” adds that studies on mental health and temperature find that hotter, higher temperatures increase emergency room visits of mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. “This tends not to occur with colder temperatures,” she says.

What are the Psychological and Emotional Effects of Cold Weather?

Studies have shown that cold temperatures, particularly hypothermia, have had negative impacts on behavior, cognition, and mood, especially for occupational workers, first responders, soldiers, and athletes.

Studies for the more general population show cold weather decreased cognitive functioning, memory and vigilance. Further, cold temperatures increased distractibility, response time, decision making, and reasoning.

From a neurological standpoint, cold temperatures and extremely cold temperatures are going to slow down action potential and transmission of nervous system impulses.—RYAN KYLE JONES, DO, NEUROINTENSIVIST

From a neurological standpoint, cold temperatures and extremely cold temperatures are going to slow down action potential and transmission of nervous system impulses.

—RYAN KYLE JONES, DO, NEUROINTENSIVIST

“With regard to emotional effects, cold weather makes us less active, irritable, isolates us, and leaves us socially disconnected,” says Serani. “The physical effects on the body of cold temperatures elevatesstress, which increases symptoms of depression and anxiety.”

Studies regarding specific emerging changes, like cold snaps, show that changeable weather patterns can worsen symptoms in individuals with a mental health disorder, she adds.

Since cold weather generally comes with seasonal changes, Serani stresses thatseasonal affective disorder (SAD)can contribute to difficulties during cold weather. “But it’s equally important to factor how cold temperatures can be a singular causal factor, as well as an inclusive one alongside SAD when examining psychological and emotional effects,” she says.

Cold weather can also prevent those who need medication or treatment for mental health conditions from getting consistent access, Serani adds.

Strategies for Coping with the Psychological Effects of Cold

To manage your mental health during cold weather, Serani says have a Cold Weather Plan in place that includes the following:

High Temps Aren’t Just Bad For the Earth—They Affect Your Brain Too

6 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hypothermia|Winter Weather.Palinkas LA.Mental and cognitive performance in the cold. International Journal of Circumpolar Health. 2001;60(3):430-439.Falla M, Micarelli A, Hüfner K, Strapazzon G.The effect of cold exposure on cognitive performance in healthy adults: a systematic review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(18):9725.Science Media Centre.Expert reaction to impact of cold weather on human health.Wang J, Wei Z, Yao N, Li C, Sun L.Association between sunlight exposure and mental health: evidence from a special population without sunlight in work.Risk Manag Healthc Policy. 2023;16:1049-1057.Thangaleela S, Sivamaruthi BS, Kesika P, et al.Essential oils, phytoncides, aromachology, and aromatherapy—a review. Applied Sciences. 2022;12(9):4495.

6 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hypothermia|Winter Weather.Palinkas LA.Mental and cognitive performance in the cold. International Journal of Circumpolar Health. 2001;60(3):430-439.Falla M, Micarelli A, Hüfner K, Strapazzon G.The effect of cold exposure on cognitive performance in healthy adults: a systematic review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(18):9725.Science Media Centre.Expert reaction to impact of cold weather on human health.Wang J, Wei Z, Yao N, Li C, Sun L.Association between sunlight exposure and mental health: evidence from a special population without sunlight in work.Risk Manag Healthc Policy. 2023;16:1049-1057.Thangaleela S, Sivamaruthi BS, Kesika P, et al.Essential oils, phytoncides, aromachology, and aromatherapy—a review. Applied Sciences. 2022;12(9):4495.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hypothermia|Winter Weather.Palinkas LA.Mental and cognitive performance in the cold. International Journal of Circumpolar Health. 2001;60(3):430-439.Falla M, Micarelli A, Hüfner K, Strapazzon G.The effect of cold exposure on cognitive performance in healthy adults: a systematic review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(18):9725.Science Media Centre.Expert reaction to impact of cold weather on human health.Wang J, Wei Z, Yao N, Li C, Sun L.Association between sunlight exposure and mental health: evidence from a special population without sunlight in work.Risk Manag Healthc Policy. 2023;16:1049-1057.Thangaleela S, Sivamaruthi BS, Kesika P, et al.Essential oils, phytoncides, aromachology, and aromatherapy—a review. Applied Sciences. 2022;12(9):4495.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hypothermia|Winter Weather.

Palinkas LA.Mental and cognitive performance in the cold. International Journal of Circumpolar Health. 2001;60(3):430-439.

Falla M, Micarelli A, Hüfner K, Strapazzon G.The effect of cold exposure on cognitive performance in healthy adults: a systematic review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(18):9725.

Science Media Centre.Expert reaction to impact of cold weather on human health.

Wang J, Wei Z, Yao N, Li C, Sun L.Association between sunlight exposure and mental health: evidence from a special population without sunlight in work.Risk Manag Healthc Policy. 2023;16:1049-1057.

Thangaleela S, Sivamaruthi BS, Kesika P, et al.Essential oils, phytoncides, aromachology, and aromatherapy—a review. Applied Sciences. 2022;12(9):4495.

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