Brain freeze or ice cream headache is a sudden and intense headache caused by eating or drinking something cold too quickly. This type of headache usually lasts for a few seconds to a minute.

While brain freeze is not a serious condition, it can be very uncomfortable. Understanding the science behind brain freeze can help you prevent and manage this condition.

What Causes Brain Freeze?

Brain freeze occurs when you eat or drink something cold too quickly. When the cold food or beverage touches the roof of your mouth, the blood vessels in that area constrict rapidly, and then dilate just as rapidly.

This rapid dilation of the blood vessels sends a pain signal to the brain, which interprets it as a headache or brain freeze.

Why Does Brain Freeze Happen?

Brain freeze happens because of a phenomenon known as referred pain. Referred pain is when pain is felt at a site other than the site of the stimulus.

In the case of a brain freeze, the cold stimulus on the roof of the mouth causes a pain signal to be sent to the trigeminal nerve, which is a nerve that carries sensations from the face to the brain. The brain interprets this pain signal as coming from the forehead or temple, which is why people feel the pain of a brain freeze in these areas.

How to Prevent Brain Freeze

The simplest way to prevent brain freeze is to avoid eating or drinking cold things too quickly. Take small bites or sips and allow the food or beverage to warm up a bit in your mouth before swallowing.

Another way to prevent brain freeze is to avoid exposing your palate to the cold stimulus. Use a straw when drinking cold beverages to bypass the roof of your mouth.

How to Treat Brain Freeze

If you do get a brain freeze, the best way to treat it is to warm up your palate with your tongue. Press your tongue to the roof of your mouth and warm it up by moving it around. You can also try taking small sips of a warm beverage.

This will help to bring the temperature of your palate back to normal and relieve the pain of a brain freeze.

Other Types of Headaches

While brain freeze is a type of headache, there are other types of headaches that people experience. The most common types of headaches are tension headaches and migraines.

Tension headaches are typically caused by stress or tension in the muscles of the head and neck. Migraines are more severe and are often accompanied by nausea, visual disturbances, and sensitivity to light and sound.

If you experience frequent headaches, it is important to speak to your healthcare provider to determine the cause and the best treatment plan for you.

Conclusion

Brain freeze is a common but uncomfortable condition caused by eating or drinking something cold too quickly. Understanding the science behind brain freeze can help you prevent and manage this condition.

Taking small bites or sips, using a straw, and warming up your palate with your tongue are effective ways to prevent and treat brain freeze. If you experience frequent headaches, it is important to speak to your healthcare provider to determine the cause and the best treatment plan for you.