Menthol feels cool on the tongue by activating cold-sensitive receptors TRPM8
the verdict
SUPPORTED
the evidence backs this
confidence 83/100
Menthol elicits a cooling sensation by specifically binding to and activating the cold-sensitive transient receptor potential channel TRPM8.
Evidence for · 4
Localization of TRP Channels in Healthy Oral Mucosa from Human Donors.
2022 · cited by 16
Paper [4] notes that TRPM8 immunoreactivity is found in sensory subpopulations of the oral mucosa, consistent with its role in thermal and chemical sensing.
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More for · 3
TRPM8-driven thermogenesis by menthol: mechanisms of cold injury prevention.
2025 · cited by 2
Paper [7] examines menthol's action on the cold-sensing receptor TRPM8 to induce thermogenesis and cold tolerance.
Structural energetics of cold sensitivity.
2026 · cited by 1
Paper [8] explicitly states that the menthol receptor TRPM8 is activated by cooling agents and lower temperatures.
Case Report: Resolution of Insomnia in a 32-Year-Old Male with Generalized Anxiety Disorder Following Discontinuation of Mint-Flavored Toothpaste.
2026 · cited by 0
Paper [10] discusses how menthol activates TRPM8 receptors to influence acute sensory and arousal responses.