Why does mint oil feel cold on the skin?

Question

When putting (japanese) mintoil on the skin it produces a cool feeling. You can experience this, when adding it to your bath or using a spray with mint oil on your skin. The cool feeling occures even if the actual temperature of the spray or bath is quite warm.Where does this sensoric impression come from?

Answer 1

Mint or menthol binds to the same receptor in the mouth that is responsible for sensing cold temperature. Menthol binds to TPR8.   TPR8 is an ion channel which, when open, allows sodium ions and calcium ions to enter, causing an action potential (an electrical signal down a neuron). Menthol causes the TRPM8 channel to open therefore causing an action potential which signals the brain that something cold is in the mouth.

This was first discovered in the mouth but the same receptors are on the skin.

Here is a good website that explains more https://bigpictureeducation.com/weird-facts-about-protein-receptors

Hope this helps :)