What Causes Brain Freeze and How to Stop It Fast

You're enjoying an ice-cold treat on a hot day when bam! a sharp, stabbing pain hits behind your eyes. That sudden jolt is brain freeze, also known as an ice cream headache. But what exactly causes this uncomfortable reaction, and how can you stop it?

What Causes Brain Freeze?

There’s actually a medical term for brain freeze: sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia. While it sounds complex, the cause is simple:

• When you eat or drink something very cold, the blood vessels in your palate constrict due to the sudden drop in temperature.

• Almost immediately, those vessels dilate again, allowing blood to rush in as your body tries to warm the area.

• This rapid change sends pain signals through the trigeminal nerve, which runs through your face and forehead, resulting in the familiar throbbing sensation.

Who Is More Likely to Get Brain Freeze?

Anyone can experience brain freeze, but certain people are more prone to it:

• Children tend to get brain freeze more often because they eat cold foods quickly.

• People with migraines may be more sensitive to temperature-related headaches, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Can You Prevent Brain Freeze?

The only surefire way to avoid brain freeze is to avoid cold foods and drinks but that's hardly an option for ice cream lovers! Instead, try these tips:

• Eat slowly: Take small bites or sips and savor them instead of gulping down cold treats.

• Warm it up: Swish cold food or drinks around in your mouth before swallowing to lessen the temperature shock.

While these methods may not completely prevent brain freeze, they can reduce the chances of it happening.

How to Stop Brain Freeze Fast

Brain freeze usually lasts less than five minutes, but if you want relief ASAP, try these tricks:

• Press your tongue or thumb against the roof of your mouth to warm the area.

• Drink room-temperature water to help regulate the temperature in your mouth.

These simple steps can quickly thaw the freeze and get you back to enjoying your treat.

Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for more fascinating health tips.