Worth It

“The ice cream is worth the brain freeze” (Melissa Brayden)

On a hot summer day, there’s nothing like taking a big gulp of ice-cold water, a slushy beverage, or an ice cream cone. Consuming these items could result in a bolt of intense pain in the temples, forehead, or behind the eyes or nose.

This condition is called a brain freeze (otherwise known as an ice cream headache or scientifically as a sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia. There are several theories about what makes this happen. The one that probably makes the most sense is that when you eat or drink a large quantity of very cold food or liquid, you drop the temperature of the palate (the roof of your mouth) substantially. The blood vessels automatically constrict—it’s a survival reflex to maintain your body’s core temperature. After the squeeze, the blood vessels open up — quickly.

This rebound dilation sends a pain signal to the brain through a nerve called the trigeminal nerve, whose upper branch extends into the midface and forehead. An ice cream headache is an example of “referred pain” — when changes happening in one part of the body signal pain in another. In this case, the tiny muscles around the blood vessels in the palate are tightening and relaxing suddenly, but the sensation is experienced higher up in the head. In 98 percent of patients, brain freeze headaches last less than five minutes.  Below are five hints to get rid of an ice cream headache quickly.

 

1. Press your tongue against the roof of your mouth for 10 seconds.
This is the easiest and fastest way to ease a brain freeze. Warming up the roof your mouth will send a message to your nerves to stop constricting.

2. Like your tongue, warm liquid will effectively heat the roof of your mouth and relax the nerves. It doesn't need to be hot, just warm enough to restore your mouth to its normal temperature. For added effect, try swishing around the drink before swallowing.

3. Suck on your thumb. This one may look ridiculous, but your thumb's heat and the added pressure of sucking will decrease the pain.

4. Cover your mouth with your hands and breathe quickly.
This will trap your warm breath and increase the temperature inside your mouth.

5. Hold the liquid in your mouth for a few seconds before swallowing.
Giving whatever you are eating or drinking a few seconds to warm up will prevent brain freeze.

“Too much stress literally causes the human brain to shut down and freeze temporarily.” (Anonymous)[i]

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[i] Sources used:

·       “5 ways to cure an ice cream headache immediately” by Eloise Kirn

·         “How to Ease Brain Freeze” by Nauman Tariq