Stopping Cold: Scientists "Turn Off" the Ability to Feel Cold - Polidicks

[QUOTE][I]Feb. 12, 2013[/I] — USC neuroscientists have isolated chills at a cellular level, identifying the sensory network of neurons in the skin that relays the sensation of cold. David McKemy, associate professor of neurobiology in the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, and his team managed to selectively shut off the ability to sense cold in mice while still leaving them able to sense heat and touch.[/QUOTE] [url]http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130212172116.htm[/url]

This is both extremely cool and unbelievably dangerous. While it would, in military application, increase endurance massively. The ability to feel pain is absolutely needed for survival. Without it, you'd be able to drink a scolding hot coffee and not even know it, or freeze to death and not even see it coming.

Soon we shall populate the Antarctic!

Like the one said above, it is amazing, and relaxing, but you're putting yourself in danger of Hypothermia and you won't tell if you are experiencing it or not.

Now give us a real life health meter so we can never feel pain and also know if we are getting hurt

Finally, something to stop old people complaining.

[QUOTE=Mrglitch2000;39580183]Soon we shall populate the Antarctic![/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Omali;39580215]Finally, something to stop old people complaining.[/QUOTE] suddenly frostbite deaths spike the roof

This would be sweet if we could, instead of blocking cold feeling altogether, intercept the feeling and provide concise feedback through something like a Pebble watch or Google glasses. I can imagine circumstances where being cold is just an inconvenience, especially when trying to get a job done or traveling a short distance. Being able to see and interpret actual data in real-time could help us avoid dangerous circumstances without cold feeling, and disabling the feeling could prevent involuntary reaction to the cold that could interfere with sensitive work. Of course this is all pretty far out there, but it possibly would have great scientific and military benefits.

[QUOTE=J!NX;39580163]This is both extremely cool and unbelievably dangerous. While it would, in military application, increase endurance massively. The ability to feel pain is absolutely needed for survival. Without it, [b]you'd be able to drink a scolding hot coffee and not even know it,[/b] or freeze to death and not even see it coming.[/QUOTE] Read the article...

[QUOTE=Canary;39580351]Read the article...[/QUOTE] "or freeze to death and not even see it coming." I'm talking about both the cold and other pain sensory's as well. All pain is all useful. its not like I wouldn't have been able to read the title that says ""Turn Off" the Ability to Feel Cold" :v: [editline]13th February 2013[/editline] read the post

Could I get this just for my hands? I always have cold hands and it annoys the shit out of me.

Ill take five!

[QUOTE=Omali;39580215]Finally, something to stop old people complaining.[/QUOTE] more like women complaining it's too cold AMIRITE FELLAS?

Would it be possible to change the feeling so it's not distracting?

Turning the cold sensation off seems like an extremely bad idea. Turning it down so that it doesn't disturb as much may be good however, but even then you'd increase the risk of causing damage to yourself. I wonder, is it the sensation of cold itself that controls the body's automatic response to cold such as heart rate adjustment, muscle spasms and blood vessel shrinking? Would those things be prevented as well?

[QUOTE=Mrglitch2000;39580183]Soon we shall populate the Antarctic![/QUOTE] Being unable to feel coldness is way different from being unable to be damaged by coldness.

Just program our eyes make giant red flashing "!" and play alarm noises when our bodies get cold and we can't feel it.

[QUOTE=J!NX;39580163]extremely cool[/QUOTE] :v:

[QUOTE=Endify;39581983]:v:[/QUOTE] let me rephrase this to more accurate definitions Cooler than this guy [img]http://edanafashion.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/fonzie_henry_winkler_happy_days.jpeg?w=237&h=298[/img] But just as menacing as this guy [thumb]http://images.wikia.com/batman/images/a/a7/Mr_Freeze_(Arnold_Schwarzenegger)_2.gif[/thumb] also I swear my pun was unintended

[QUOTE=Daniel Smith;39581860]Being unable to feel coldness is way different from being unable to be damaged by coldness.[/QUOTE] Exactly, this would be much more safe if our body had effective ways of preventing cold damage, like the "anti-freeze" compound inside arctic fish, have countercurrent blood flow in specific body parts, and even a thin brown fat layer would likely provide the sufficient protection needed if we were to experience constant sub zero environments and not feel cold.

i smell some sci-fi elements, unable to feel cold must be back up with something in our system to also fight against the dangers of cold as well. Something to fight against what J!nx said, hypothermia and other things as well. I would love not to feel hot nor cold and just stay warm, a static temperature.

I think just training your resistance to cold is a better option. Nowadays I can walk at -15°C with just a t-shirt and shorts and not feel cold. It's like Summer for me and I always come back feeling all freshened up!

[QUOTE=Legolas;39582929]I think just training your resistance to cold is a better option. Nowadays I can walk at -15°C with just a t-shirt and shorts and not feel cold. It's like Summer for me and I always come back feeling all freshened up![/QUOTE] See, I would do something like that but my willpower is physically unable to change the freezing point of water.

Now put this in cold medication so fevors will be a thing of the past.

[QUOTE=Cmx;39582962]Now put this in cold medication so fevors will be a thing of the past.[/QUOTE] I don't think that's how it works. Although it is a symptom of sicknesses, it's a natural and essential part of your body's immune system, not a negative consequence brought on directly by the sickness.

[QUOTE=SatansSin;39580914]more like women complaining it's too cold AMIRITE FELLAS?[/QUOTE] misogyny !!!

[QUOTE=J!NX;39580381]"or freeze to death and not even see it coming." I'm talking about both the cold and other pain sensory's as well. All pain is all useful. its not like I wouldn't have been able to read the title that says ""Turn Off" the Ability to Feel Cold" :v: [editline]13th February 2013[/editline] read the post[/QUOTE] You said you would be able to drink a scolding hot coffee without realizing, It said in the article it doesn't effect sensing heat. Read the post, and the article.

Militaries wont use this. Trust me people, too risky.

Halting your body's natural functions is a dangerous thing. You feel cold for a reason.

[QUOTE=Starsmine;39580186]Like the one said above, it is amazing, and relaxing, but you're putting yourself in danger of Hypothermia and you won't tell if you are experiencing it or not.[/QUOTE]Aaaactually, one can still die of hypothermia without feeling cold. Granted, there are special circumstances to that (being drunk, etc) but it is possible.[QUOTE=SGTNAPALM;39582953]See, I would do something like that but my willpower is physically unable to change the freezing point of water.[/QUOTE]Clearly you are not from Minnesota. We get 20% cold resist because of our Nord ancestry and the warmth that pours out of our hearts. :D That last part may or may not be true.