Brain Freeze : Brrr?

 Brain Freeze : Brrr?

Brain freeze or the ice cream headache, the sudden pain can make you almost regret scarfing down the nice and cold scoop of ice cream you just got on this especially hot summer day. Even though the pain went away as fast as it came, it is still an unpleasant feeling to go through. 

Sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia what?

Sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia is what we call brain freeze in a scientific way. It is rather a handful name to say but it is named like that because it is caused by sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgic nerves (SPG), a group of nerves near trigeminal nerves in the brain which is located behind the nose and palate. When this group of nerves sense something cold they send an instant message to the brain, causing arteries and blood vessels to react.

Now if you eat or drink something cold slowly, the nerves in your mouth have a chance to familiarize themselves with the cold and prevent the sudden headache. But if you slurp down that ice cold smoothie real fast, these nerves can’t adjust themselves as quickly as you want. One thing the brain doesn’t like is changes and as a coping mechanism it sends back a wave of throbbing through the head, typically centering around the forehead. Resulting in what we call brain freeze. 

Is It Dangerous?

By itself, brain freeze is harmless. However it is related to migraines and people who suffer from migraines are more prone to brain freeze because the same nerves in the palate are responsible for triggering both types of headaches. For some people. It will go away in just a few seconds but for others it may  last for a few minutes. It is not that painful but it can be annoying to deal with.

How to cure brain freeze?

One way to deal with it quickly is to drink warm water to ease the coldness in your palate and calm down the headache that comes with it. Another way is to press your tongue to the roof of your palate, this acts as a warmer to the nerves similar to how warm water would work.

The easiest way to prevent such brain freeze is to not drink or eat anything cold. However it is simply irresistible in the simmering summer heat. Therefore the only way to prevent it is to eat or drink slowly, especially during those first few bites or sips.

Anyways, what's a summer without a few brain freezes? I know that even with the headache you can still have a good laugh with family and friends!

 Enjoy your summer~