Brain freeze: How does the cold headache develop?
You eat ice cream and suddenly a nasty pain chases through your head? This is what we call brain freeze. What we already know is that this cold headache occurs when we eat something cold too quickly – ice cream, for example. But what exactly happens to our brain?
Brain freeze is a nasty “side effect” of summer. At least that’s how it seems to us, as we usually get this cold headache in the warm months. But why?
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ToggleHow does brain freeze develop?
When it’s hot, we like to treat ourselves to a cold refreshment. Unfortunately, even in adulthood, we still make the mistake of eating ice cream, chilled drinks and Co. in a monkey’s tooth. Actually, we just want to cool down quickly, but our brain is too fast. We get brain freeze.
The exact cause of the brain freeze, as brain freeze is also called, researchers have not yet been able to find. What is certain is that the palate is the one that sends the signal “I’m too cold” to the brain. The following theories now exist on the development of cerebral frost:
- Brain freeze is a warning signal of your body
The cold headache should warn you not to continue to plaster your ice so quickly. As delicious as it may taste, it is too cold for your body, especially your head. - Your head cramps
Ice has a temperature of -4 °C. This may be refreshing for you, but if so much cold ice touches your palate too quickly, researchers say it triggers a cramping of your head muscles and vessels. - Your brain is poorly supplied with blood
Researchers conducted a study on brain freeze in 2012. They found that the rapid drinking of cold drinks leads to poorer blood circulation in the brain – whereupon a pain in the head arises. - Your brain is more supplied with blood
However, another team of researchers has found exactly the opposite of the theory under point 3 in a study. It is of the opinion that the sudden cold on the palate leads to increased blood flow to the brain – and thus a pain in the head.
What helps against brain freeze?
However Brain Freeze is created exactly, the feeling that your head is freezing to death is really ugly. For a short time it feels like your brain is contracting, concentration is rarely possible. The good: After a maximum of 30 seconds, the pain passes on its own, we do not need to take medication, as with other headaches. Also important to know: brain freeze is not dangerous or harmful.
Nevertheless, there are ways to counteract a cold headache:
- Consciously warm up your palate by pressing your tongue against it.
- Alternatively, you can also drink warm water, which will also warm up your palate.
- And very important: Eat cold food and drinks slowly! So they only reach your palate in a weakened form and you do not get brain freeze! 🙂