Cold Induced Hunger: Scripps was a person. Neuroscientists found brain regions that enable mammals to eat more in the cold. They studied the connection between cold and hunger. Cold weather makes animals eat more for extra energy to stay warm. It has just now been known that people have caused this response.
In their Nature publication from August 16, 2023, researchers discovered a “switch” for mice’s cold-induced food-finding behavior. This study may lead to drugs that boost metabolism for easier weight loss.
Dr. Li Ye of Scripps Research suggests targeting this mammalian adaptive mechanism for future treatments to enhance the metabolic benefits of cold exposure or fat metabolism. Ye Lab grad research assistant Neeraj Lal, Ph.D., collaborated on this project.
Cold water immersion, known as “cold therapy,” can enhance metabolism and aid in weight loss. The issue is that cold impacts weight loss treatments. Cold increases hunger, hindering weight loss. The study explored how the brain handles cold-induced hunger.
Low-temp mice get hungry after six hours (73°F to 39°F). Cold did not affect behavior. Researchers used “whole-brain clearing” and “light sheet imaging” to study brain cell function in different temperatures. Neuronal activity decreased when the brain was cold; the thalamus became more active.
The research found xiphoid nucleus nerve cells in the thalamus. Before mice woke up, these nerve cells were more active in the cold. Mice were hungry. Xiphoid center activity increased when food was scarce in the cold. These neurons respond to energy deficiency caused by cold, not cold itself.
READ MORE: Photomechanical Material: Transforming Technology with Energy Efficiency
These neurons influenced the animal’s food search. In the lab, neurons made mice seek food more. Mouse food search decreased when not active. These effects only occurred when it was cold, implying that other cold-related factors are necessary for appetite changes.
In essential tests, researchers discovered that xiphoid nucleus nerve cells connect to the nucleus accumbens. This region controls eating by combining reward and aversion.
Outside the lab, results have effects. Making cold people less hungry may aid in weight loss. Our goal is to study how hunger affects energy utilization. Yes, we want to know if the body’s chilly response is part of a wider process, such as after exercise, to compensate.
The study showed how complex being chilly, brain circuits and hunger control are. The discovery is a first step in understanding this process, opening doors to new approaches for maintaining a healthy metabolism and weight.
Our Reader’s Queries
Why is my cold making me so hungry?
When fighting a cold, the body requires calories to boost energy and combat infection.
Does cold exposure make you hungry?
Engaging in activities that boost energy usage, like working out and braving the cold, can ramp up hunger and lead to consuming more energy. Research suggests that the environment where people reside could also play a role in appetite regulation.
Is it normal to be hungrier when cold?
During this season, it’s natural to experience increased hunger, and there are sound explanations for this. The drop in temperature during colder weather prompts our bodies to crave more food as a means of generating internal heat to warm up. Consequently, our appetites are stimulated, leading to an increase in body temperature through eating.
Does being cold mean you are hungry?
Feeling chilly when you’re hungry is pretty normal. Your body might cut back on sending blood to your arms and legs to save warmth for your important organs when it’s running low on fuel.