We have completed maintenance on DiscoverMagazine.com and action may be required on your account. Learn More

How the Body Avoids Cooking to Death in an Overheating World

Thanks to a network of detectors, the brain is able to tune the body as needed to either push the core body temperature up or down.

By Matt Hrodey
Sep 7, 2023 7:00 PM
Overheated woman fanning herself on the couch
When the body overheats, it slows the metabolism, pushes blood to the skin and ramps up sweating. (Credit: fizkes/shutterstock)

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
 

After a sweltering, record-setting summer, what do we have to look forward to? Most likely an even hotter one in 2024, meteorologists say, as the El Niño event in the Pacific peaks and warms the globe even further.

As human beings, our survival will depend on our bodies’ ability to regulate our internal temperature.

What Is the Normal Temperature for a Human Body?

0 free articles left
Want More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/month

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

0 free articlesSubscribe
Discover Magazine Logo
Want more?

Keep reading for as low as $1.99!

Subscribe

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

Stay Curious

Sign up for our weekly newsletter and unlock one more article for free.

 

View our Privacy Policy


Want more?
Keep reading for as low as $1.99!


Log In or Register

Already a subscriber?
Find my Subscription

More From Discover
Recommendations From Our Store
Shop Now
Stay Curious
Join
Our List

Sign up for our weekly science updates.

 
Subscribe
To The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Copyright © 2024 Kalmbach Media Co.