This Is What Happens to Your Body When You Have a Brain Freeze
We’ve all been there—enjoying a cold treat like ice cream or a frozen drink, and suddenly, you’re hit with a sharp, intense headache. This sudden pain is what’s commonly known as a brain freeze, but have you ever wondered what’s actually happening in your body when it strikes? Scroll down to know everything.
When You Eat or Drink Something Cold, Your Mouth Sends a Signal to Your Brain
A brain freeze, medically referred to as sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia, happens when something cold touches the roof of your mouth (the palate). The nerves in that area are very sensitive to changes in temperature, so when something icy comes in contact with your palate, it triggers the trigeminal nerve. This nerve is responsible for sensing pain in your face and mouth.
Why Does This Nerve Matter?
The trigeminal nerve not only sends pain signals from your mouth, but it also affects the blood vessels in your head. When the cold hits, your body reacts by sending those signals to your brain, and this is where things start to get a little confusing for your body.
The Blood Vessels in Your Head Rapidly Constrict and Then Expand
When something cold touches your palate, the blood vessels in the area quickly constrict (tighten) to prevent heat loss. However, as soon as the cold is gone, the blood vessels dilate (expand) just as rapidly. This quick change in blood flow triggers the pain receptors in your head, which is why you feel that sudden, sharp headache.
Why Does the Pain Feel Like It’s in Your Forehead?
Even though the cold is in your mouth, the trigeminal nerve is also responsible for sensations in your forehead and the front of your head. So when the pain signal is sent to your brain, it feels like it’s coming from your forehead, even though the actual cause is the cold in your mouth. This is a phenomenon known as referred pain.
Your Brain Reacts to the Cold as If Your Head Is in Danger
When you experience a brain freeze, your body reacts as though your brain is in danger from the cold. Your brain is extremely sensitive to temperature changes, and your body is designed to protect it. The sudden dilation of blood vessels and the activation of pain receptors are your body’s way of trying to warm the area back up and prevent any potential damage—even though your brain isn’t actually in danger.
Brain Freeze Usually Doesn’t Last Long
Thankfully, the pain from a brain freeze is short-lived, typically lasting just 20 to 30 seconds. As soon as the cold sensation fades and your body adjusts the blood flow, the pain subsides. However, it can feel quite intense while it lasts.
How Can You Stop a Brain Freeze?
If you get a brain freeze, there are a few quick tricks to make the pain go away faster:
- Press your tongue against the roof of your mouth: This warms up the area and can help stop the constriction of blood vessels.
- Sip warm water: This can also help return your mouth to a normal temperature more quickly.
- Breathe through your mouth and cover it with your hands: This will warm the air you’re inhaling and help reduce the cold sensation.
Conclusion
A brain freeze is your body’s reaction to the sudden cold hitting the roof of your mouth. The trigeminal nerve gets confused, sending pain signals to your forehead, and your blood vessels constrict and expand rapidly. Although it’s not dangerous, it can be painful, but fortunately, it’s over quickly. Now that you know what’s happening during a brain freeze, you can enjoy your ice cream with a little more awareness—and maybe avoid eating it too quickly next time!
