Book 2, Question 4
Why Do We Get Brain Freeze?
Have you ever gulped a frozen treat, and then, ouch, your forehead hurts? That is brain freeze! Ice-cold food on the roof of your mouth can make your forehead hurt.
From the book
Page from A Million Whys Book 2
More fun facts
- The science name for brain freeze is sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia. Try saying that fast!
- Brain freeze is also called an ice cream headache or a cold-stimulus headache.
- You can get it from eating, drinking, or even breathing something very cold.
- Kids may get brain freeze more often because they gobble icy treats quickly.
- One idea is that the cold makes blood vessels squeeze narrow fast, then open wide again.
- Brain freeze can hurt a lot, but it fades fast and is not dangerous.
- People who get migraine headaches may get brain freeze more easily.
Sources: KidsHealth (Nemours), Cleveland Clinic, Utsouthwestern
Questions kids ask
How can I avoid brain freeze?
Slow down! Eating frozen treats more slowly can help you skip these quick headaches.