Stories tagged ice cream headache

Ice Cream Dessert: Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
On these steamy July days, cold foods and drinks taste great. But have you ever eaten your ice cream cone or drank your slushie so fast that it made your “brain freeze”?

The brief headache we sometimes get while eating or drinking cold substances is referred to as a brain freeze, ice cream headache, freezie, and frozen brain syndrome. And its occurrence can in fact be described scientifically.

Cause

There are varying explanations for the ice cream headache, but most sources agree that cold stimulation of the roof of the mouth and/or the throat stimulates the high concentration of nerves in the area. This results in dilation of blood vessels in the brain, which in turn causes an acute headache.

Duration

The pain begins within seconds after the cold item is consumed and reaches its peak after 30-60 seconds. Occasionally these headaches last for 2-5 minutes.

Other Interesting Brain Freeze Facts

Ice cream headaches are more likely to occur in the summer than in the winter.

Some studies have found that people who are more susceptible to migraines are also more likely to get ice cream headaches. One study found that an ice cream headache occurred in 93 percent of regular migraine sufferers, but in only 31 percent of the control group. However, other studies have found that migraine suffers are not more likely to get ice cream headaches.

Possible Solution

The most interesting solution I found was to put your tongue on the roof of your mouth to quickly warm the area. I’m not sure how well it works. I’ll have to try it the next time my brain freezes.

Tags : ice cream, brain freeze, ice cream headache

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