Why Do Some People Get Brain Freeze From Cold Drinks?
You take a large gulp of an ice-cold drink and, seconds later, a sharp pain shoots across your forehead. It can feel as though your brain itself has suddenly become painfully cold, but that is not what is happening. Known medically as a cold-stimulus headache , brain freeze is a short-lived reaction triggered by sudden cold exposure in the mouth or throat. It is common, usually harmless and often disappears almost as quickly as it arrives. Scientists are still refining the exact details of the process, but the basic mechanism involves nerves, blood vessels and the body's response to a rapid change in temperature.
These areas contain sensory nerves that can respond strongly to sudden temperature changes. The resulting signals are interpreted by the nervous system as pain in the head, which is why the discomfort can feel as though it is coming from somewhere far away from the mouth.
The trigeminal nerve , which carries sensory information from much of the face and head, is particularly important in this process. Because the nervous system can refer pain from one area to another, the discomfort may be felt around the forehead or temples rather than directly inside the mouth.
The speed at which you consume something cold matters too. Drinking a freezing beverage slowly gives the mouth more time to adjust, while rapidly swallowing a large amount of ice-cold liquid can create a much sharper temperature change.
Most episodes last only seconds to a couple of minutes, making them very different from persistent headaches.
Brain freeze may feel dramatic, but it is usually a brief example of the body's sensory system reacting to sudden cold. The next time it happens, slow down rather than panic. Your brain is not freezing. Your nerves are simply sending a very convincing warning that your mouth has encountered an extreme temperature change.
The Cold Does Not Actually Freeze Your Brain
Despite its name, brain freeze has nothing to do with the brain being frozen. The cold stimulus usually occurs around the roof of the mouth or the back of the throat after consuming something very cold.These areas contain sensory nerves that can respond strongly to sudden temperature changes. The resulting signals are interpreted by the nervous system as pain in the head, which is why the discomfort can feel as though it is coming from somewhere far away from the mouth.
Why Does the Pain Arrive So Quickly?
One explanation involves changes in blood vessels. When very cold material rapidly cools the tissues in the mouth, the body attempts to restore normal temperature. Changes in blood flow and blood vessel size can stimulate pain-sensitive pathways.The trigeminal nerve , which carries sensory information from much of the face and head, is particularly important in this process. Because the nervous system can refer pain from one area to another, the discomfort may be felt around the forehead or temples rather than directly inside the mouth.
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Why Do Some People Get It More Often?
Anyone can experience brain freeze, but some people appear to be more susceptible. Research has also found an association between cold-stimulus headaches and migraine , suggesting that individual differences in pain pathways may play a role.The speed at which you consume something cold matters too. Drinking a freezing beverage slowly gives the mouth more time to adjust, while rapidly swallowing a large amount of ice-cold liquid can create a much sharper temperature change.
How Can You Stop Brain Freeze?
The simplest approach is to stop consuming the cold food or drink and allow the mouth to warm naturally. Pressing the tongue against the roof of the mouth can also help restore warmth. A room-temperature drink may be useful as well.Most episodes last only seconds to a couple of minutes, making them very different from persistent headaches.
Brain freeze may feel dramatic, but it is usually a brief example of the body's sensory system reacting to sudden cold. The next time it happens, slow down rather than panic. Your brain is not freezing. Your nerves are simply sending a very convincing warning that your mouth has encountered an extreme temperature change.
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