Random Question, pretty much completely unrelated to anything!

Nurses General Nursing

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Why is it that when I have spearmint gum in my mouth and I take a big ole swig of ice water the water tastes SO much colder than it would if I didn't have spearmint in my mouth?

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Specializes in Diabetes ED, (CDE), CCU, Pulmonary/HIV.

This happens with peppermint too--also with menthol cough drops. Maybe related to the tingling effect of mint or menthol.

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Any idea what happens physiologically?

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Specializes in pure and simple psych.

Possibly this: Minty oils stimulate cells on the surface mucus membrane. Said cells are hyper-responsive to the next sensation, cold from the water. Sort of like the sensation of warm water being "hotter" to a sunburned area.

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Is this the same principle as the warming sensation from the new KY jelly?

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Specializes in pure and simple psych.

Someone else will need to answer that one.:imbar

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Possibly this: Minty oils stimulate cells on the surface mucus membrane. Said cells are hyper-responsive to the next sensation, cold from the water. Sort of like the sensation of warm water being "hotter" to a sunburned area.

I never thought of comparing the two but yeah, it prob'ly is the same - whatever "it" is!

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