As temperatures drop, the perennial question of why some people feel the cold more acutely than others resurfaces.Beyond simply being “cold-blooded,” a complex interplay of physiological factors-including muscle mass, metabolic rate, hormone levels, and even sleep quality-influences how we perceive and react to chilly conditions. This article examines the science behind cold sensitivity,debunking common myths and offering insights into why vulnerability to cold varies across age,sex,and individual circumstances.
How we perceive cold is a complex experience influenced by a variety of factors. But it may also be possible to train ourselves to feel less affected by chilly temperatures. Understanding the science behind cold sensitivity – and why factors like sex, sleep, and alcohol consumption play a role – can help individuals better manage their comfort during colder months.
For some, winter brings a constant chill, with hands and feet perpetually feeling frozen. It’s a common observation that women are more prone to feeling cold, but is this perception based in fact, or is it simply a myth? And why can some individuals comfortably go about with exposed skin in low temperatures while others quickly feel the cold? Medical professionals say there are numerous reasons why some people chill more easily than others.
Researchers have investigated the differences in how men and women experience cold.
Do Women Really Get Colder Faster Than Men? Study Links Sleep Deprivation to Increased Cold Sensitivity
Studies show that women generally have less muscle mass and a lower metabolic rate than men. As a result, women tend to feel the cold more quickly. Muscles generate heat, and those with more muscle – men, on average, have 25% more muscle mass than women – can produce more heat and therefore feel less cold.
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Women also lose more heat through the skin than men, as female skin tends to be thinner and therefore less effective at insulation. Research suggests hormonal differences also contribute to this disparity. The male hormone testosterone promotes muscle growth, while the female hormone estrogen stimulates fat production.
While a higher percentage of body fat can be beneficial for insulating the core, it can also make individuals feel colder overall, contributing to why women often experience cold more readily than men.
Older Adults Tend to Feel Colder Than Younger People
However, it’s not just women who are more susceptible to feeling cold. Older adults also tend to chill more quickly than younger individuals, explains Professor Thomas Korff, a human biologist at the University of Heidelberg.
“The younger you are, the higher your basal metabolic rate,” Korff said. Basal metabolic rate is the amount of energy the body needs to perform basic functions and generate heat through muscle activity.
A normally trained man between the ages of 15 and 19 has a basal metabolic rate of approximately 1,800 kilocalories, while at age 65, it would be only 1,400, according to Korff.
But higher energy expenditure isn’t the only factor that makes younger people feel less cold. Adolescents and young adults have higher levels of estrogen and testosterone than older individuals, which also contributes to their sensation of warmth.
The “Coolness Factor” Reduces Cold Sensitivity
Adolescents don’t get cold as easily, even in a pool – even if the water is freezing and their lips are already blue. When they’re having fun, adolescents don’t notice the cold. However, younger children get cold quickly – unlike adolescents – because they are small and delicate.
Individual constitution also plays a role in cold perception. Lack of sleep, for example, stresses the human body. This triggers the release of adrenaline, which prioritizes essential organs like the lungs and heart by shutting down non-essential functions. As a result, blood flow to the skin is reduced, the body cools down, and we feel cold.
