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"That's what winter is: an exercise in remembering how to still yourself then how to come pliantly back to life again."

— Ali Smith

We break down exactly why chemotherapy makes cold temperatures feel painful (Thermal Allodynia) and how your internal thermostat gets disrupted.
Why your base layer matters more than you think—and how switching to Merino wool actually generates heat to protect your nerves.
How winter blunts your thirst mechanism and why warm hydration is the secret to protecting your immune system.

Hey Crew!

I am so excited to share this edition of the newsletter with you. Winter is a completely different experience when you are navigating cancer. It is not about needing an extra layer. No, it's about a fundamental shift in how your body interacts with the world.

Chemotherapy and cancer treatments often affect your nervous system and your ability to regulate temperature. This can turn a simple cold breeze into a painful experience and make staying healthy a constant battle against the elements.

In this guide, we are going to break down the science of why this happens, from the physiology of cold sensitivity to the physics of keeping warm. We will also provide you with tools you can take with you to help you stay warm and healthy during the winter months.

The Cold Fire

If you are on agents like oxaliplatin, you know that cold isn't just a temperature drop, it is a physical shock. This is Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN), specifically a condition called thermal allodynia.

Here is the science:

Drugs like oxaliplatin can remodel the ion channels in your nerve endings, specifically the TRPA1 and TRPM8 channels. These sensors, which usually detect cool temperatures, become hypersensitive. They start interpreting a cool breeze or a cold drink not as refreshing, but as severe pain or burning. This is often described like shards of glass.

The Broken Thermostat

On top of the nerve pain, treatment often disrupts the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). Think of the ANS as your body’s internal thermostat. When chemotherapy impacts this system, your body loses its fine-tuned ability to regulate core temperature.

You might feel the cold more intensely than those around you, and once you get cold, it takes a significantly longer time to warm back up. You’re not imagining anything. It is a physiological regulation deficit.

Reset Your Energy and Feel Lighter With a January Liver Reset

January is the perfect time to reset, rebalance, and support your body after the indulgence of the holidays. If you’re doing Dry January or simply craving a fresh start, focusing on liver health can make a powerful difference—and it’s one of the most overlooked wellness rituals.

That’s why I’ve made Pique’s Liver Detox Protocol part of my January reset. Inspired by over 3,000 years of Traditional Chinese Medicine, this gentle daily ritual supports your body’s natural detoxification processes without harsh cleanses or deprivation.

The protocol includes two simple moments a day: Electric Turmeric in the morning and La Ginger in the evening. In the morning, Electric Turmeric feels warming, grounding, and nourishing—like a calm reset before the day begins. At night, La Ginger is bold and soothing, supporting digestion and overnight renewal.

Within weeks, I noticed steadier energy, less bloating, clearer skin, and an overall lighter feeling. It didn’t feel like a detox—it felt like alignment. Two small rituals, big results.

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Protective Strategies

The Rule: Ditch the cotton base layers. Cotton is hydrophilic (water-loving). It absorbs sweat and moisture and holds it directly against your skin. Once wet, it loses its insulating ability and rapidly conducts heat away from your body, called the wet rag effect.

The Swap: Wear Merino Wool. Wool is hygroscopic. It pulls moisture vapor away from your skin, keeping you dry. When wool absorbs moisture, it generates heat through an exothermic reaction. A kilogram of merino wool can generate as much heat over eight hours as an electric blanket.

Extremities: Because your microcirculation is compromised, your hands and feet are at higher risk for rapid frostbite. Keep them covered with wool or silk liners to prevent that direct cold exposure.

Hydration Dynamics

Drink more water is standard advice, but in winter, the why changes.

Insensible Loss: Cold winter air is dry. Your lungs have to work overtime to humidify the air you breathe, leading to massive water loss just from breathing. You are losing hydration without realizing it.
The Brain Trick: The cold actually blunts your thirst mechanism. Your body constricts blood vessels to stay warm, which increases central blood pressure and tricks your brain into thinking you are well-hydrated. You stop feeling thirsty even when you need water the most.
The Solution: Focus on warm hydration (herbal teas, bone broths). Sipping hot liquids has been shown to increase nasal mucus velocity, which helps maintain the integrity of your mucous membranes, your first line of defense against airborne pathogens. Consider herbs like Slippery Elm or Marshmallow Root, which are demulcents that coat and soothe dry tissues.

Ready to Go Deeper?

If this guide helped you understand your body better, imagine having a whole team of experts in your corner. Join Cancer Crew+ today to unlock a library of deep-dive resources designed to help you navigate treatment with confidence.

You will get exclusive access to actionable advice from leading doctors and other cancer experts.

Don’t navigate the unknowns alone. Equip yourself with the science-backed tools you need to thrive, not just survive. Sign up for Cancer Crew+ now and get the expert support you deserve. Your body will thank you.

Stay warm, stay hydrated, and trust your body.

In Case You Missed It…

We recently featured a powerful conversation with Karalynne Call of Just Ingredients. I share my raw, two-time breast cancer survival story—from being dismissed by doctors to navigating a Stage 4 diagnosis. It’s a masterclass in medical self-advocacy and metabolic health that you won’t want to skip!