Menthol & Camphor High Evidence
Primary Function: Counter-irritant / Pain masking
Menthol provides fast-acting cooling relief by activating cold receptors on the skin, masking underlying muscle and joint pain signals. Camphor creates a warm/cool distraction that stimulates nerve endings and increases blood flow to distract from discomfort.
- FDA-approved topical analgesic
- Works within 5-15 minutes of application
- Established mechanism: TRPM8 receptor activation
- Ideal for acute pain flare-ups