Why do you get ‘brain freeze’ when you drink or eat something cold like ice cream? See if this question can stump Dr. Charlotte Grayson.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
“Hey Doc, why do I get brain freeze when I drink a milkshake?”
Good try, but I think I’ve got the cold, hard facts on this one.
When you drink a milkshake or eat something really cold like ice cream, the cold hits the roof of your mouth, causing the blood vessels in your brain to expand.
That, in turn, triggers the pain similar to what migraine sufferers experience.
The feeling typically doesn’t last for more than 30 seconds or so, and it’s totally harmless.
If it bothers you, though, slow down on slurping that milkshake, or hold foods in the front of your mouth for a few seconds before swallowing. Your brain freezes might just melt away.