Thermal contrast enhancement predicts paradoxical heat sensation

Alexandra G Mitchell, Jesper Fischer Ehmsen, Małgorzata Basińska, Arthur S Courtin, Rebecca A Böhme, Camila Sardeto Deolindo, Micah G Allen, Kristian Sandberg, Francesca Fardo

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaperJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Paradoxical Heat Sensation (PHS) is the remarkable feeling of warmth or heat pain while the skin is cooling. Despite its initial documentation over 100 years ago, a unified explanation for this perplexing experience remains elusive. Here we apply contrast enhancement principles, known for their instrumental role in understanding visual illusions, to the domain of thermosensation. Contrast enhancement describes the amplification of two contrasting visual features, such as the enhanced perception of an edge between a light and dark bar. In thermosensation, this encompasses an enhancement of the difference between sequential warming and cooling of the skin, and is defined as the normalised difference between successive temporal warm and cold temperatures. Remarkably, thermal contrast predicts the occurrence of PHS. Our findings reveal compelling evidence supporting the role of thermal contrast in the generation of PHS, shedding light on its underlying mechanism and offering a framework for broader encoding principles in thermosensation and pain.

Original languageEnglish
Article number37
JournalCommunications Psychology
Volume2
Issue1
Pages (from-to)1-8
ISSN2731-9121
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 24 Apr 2024

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