Brain freeze occurs when the roof of the mouth is rapidly cooled, for example by ice cream or cold drinks.
According to Popular Science, the blood vessels in the area react immediately.
First, the blood vessels constrict due to the cold. Shortly afterward, they expand again to help keep the brain warm. This is the body’s way of protecting itself.
This rapid change in the blood vessels can lead to pain, commonly known as brain freeze.
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Nerves play a role
The pain is linked to a nerve in the face called the trigeminal nerve. It sends signals from the face to the brain.
According to Popular Science, the brain may struggle to determine exactly where the pain originates.
As a result, the pain is often felt in the forehead, even though the cold affects the roof of the mouth.
The same nerve is also important in migraines, which explains why brain freeze can feel like a brief migraine.
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What should you do if you get brain freeze?
Although it hurts, brain freeze is not dangerous. The pain typically lasts only 30 to 60 seconds.
It can be avoided by consuming cold foods more slowly, allowing the mouth to adjust to the temperature.
If it has already occurred, you can warm the roof of your mouth by drinking something warm or pressing your tongue against it.
Sources: Popular Science.
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