What IS Brain Freeze??

We ALL (okay, only 1/3 of us) know what brain freeze is in terms of having felt it, and there’s even a definition for it:

‘Brain freeze is a painful├óΓé¼ΓÇ¥ though harmless├óΓé¼ΓÇ¥ sensation in the front or sides of the head occurring a few seconds after the rapid ingestion of cold foods or drinks[1].’

But what is it REALLY? What’s going on to cause it??
We’re about to get science on all of your asses! Ha!
Studies are now suggesting that when something cold comes into contact with the palate (particularly the back, topmost part of the mouth) it causes a sudden constriction of blood vessels.
This happens VERY quickly. So quickly that the change in temp alerts pain receptors to trigger nerves carrying nerves from the face to the brain.
These nerves usually sense face pain, so they tell the brain that it’s coming from the forehead and not the mouth!
Weird!
The cure is to stop scarfing down cold things. Take the time to let your mouth get acclimated to the temp change!
Science! Science! Science!
[Image via AP Images.]