Surprising: What Happens in Our Brain When We Eat Ice Cream?

Summer. It's really hot right now, and aside from the air conditioner blasting at full power, a good ice cream wouldn't hurt. You know that feeling after you've eaten too much ice cream, all at once, in too short a time, and you feel your 'head freezes'? It turns out this disturbing phenomenon is already known in research, and it even has a name. It's called "Brain Freeze" (or, if you prefer, in English: "Ice Cream Headache").

First of all, to calm those of you who are worried, it's important to say that this definition is not entirely accurate. After all, our brain doesn't actually freeze after eating ice cream, and the headache can be caused not only by eating ice cream – but by a variety of other foods or drinks we consume that are too cold.

Sudden Cold, Sudden Pain

But what really happens there? The truth is, what actually happens inside our heads is a sharp headache that develops very quickly. The reason is that since the head is the most important organ – it is also the first to receive energy, and therefore it is considered the most protected organ, which needs protection from physical damage, toxins, and harmful substances. The temperature regulation process, that our body undergoes to prevent overheating, is vital in this aspect. Hence, our blood vessels expand and contract accordingly, depending on our body heat. If we are hot – the blood vessels expand to lose heat, and if we are cold – our blood vessels contract, to preserve the heat in our body.

Additionally, above the palate, near the brainstem, there is a main and critically important artery junction, from which arteries that carry oxygen-rich blood to the brain originate. Due to its importance, this junction is equipped with numerous pain receptors whose role is to detect changes that may indicate a 'malfunction' and pass on the information.

The information travels through a central nerve also located in the head region, called the 'trigeminal nerve'. It is responsible for sensation in the face and head, and reaches the brain. Due to their proximity, the headache develops very quickly – but also ends very quickly.

So, when we quickly consume something too cold, this sudden cold penetrates the palate through the pharynx – cooling the critical artery junction. Immediately, the blood vessels at the junction constrict and pass the information on. In response, the brain sends more blood to warm the area, while simultaneously the brain blood vessels expand, to prevent hypertension in the brain. The sudden constriction and expansion that we feel are what activate the pain receptors under the brain membrane, signaling that something is wrong. This signal creates the sensation of pain that we feel.

Ice Cream, Headache, and Other Problems

Often, we feel this pain especially in the forehead or behind the eyes, even though originally it is closer to the roof of our throat. The reason is that the trigeminal nerve innervates the entire facial and head area, so this is a 'referred pain', not felt in the place it originates.

So what can be done to enjoy both worlds, having good ice cream and avoiding the headache it generates? The answer is simple: it's important to eat and drink in moderation.

And if you are already suffering from this pain and dying to get rid of it – try warming the area in any way that seems right to you, and you will see that the pain will subside in a few seconds.

So while 'brain freeze' can't literally happen, a pain that feels like something akin to it – certainly can. Among different people, the pain can also be felt in varying intensities. Some studies link the freeze sensation to migraines. The good news is, part of them claim that brain freeze prevents people from feeling migraines, while other studies argue the exact opposite – that people suffering from migraines tend to get brain freeze more often.

So what is correct? The truth is, the answer is not clear enough at this stage. However, this fascinating phenomenon attracts many researchers who study it in depth, to better understand how our brain works and, more specifically, how headaches and migraines occur. In so doing, we can more easily find better solutions that will prevent them more frequently.