Do you experience brain freeze more than others?

One second you are enjoying a cold treat on a hot day and the next second you are stunned with the startling sensation of sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia, more commonly known as “brain freeze.”

While it’s a sensation many people have experienced, you may be confused why it occurs.

“Your body and brain adapt to slow changes more easily, especially when it comes to temperatures,” explains Dr. Jigar Mankad, a neurologist at Aurora Health Care. “When you suddenly eat anything very cold, it sensitizes the trigeminal nerve that carries temperature and pain sensation from your oral cavity and the roof of the mouth. Your nerves begin firing and the neuronal impulse transmission becomes very rapid, which causes the painful and unpleasant sensation of brain freeze.”

There is a reason why only some people that eat a cold treat will experience brain freeze.

“Your likelihood of experiencing brain freeze depends on your developed habits,” Dr. Mankad explains. “Someone who frequently drinks cold water and eats cold foods, such as ice cubes, ice cream or frozen drinks, would have less sensitivity compared to someone who does not consume those cold items regularly.”

Some people also have health conditions that make them more sensitive to cold temperatures.

“People with a history of migraines or cluster headaches or are diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia or multiple sclerosis might be more sensitive to cold exposure compared to someone without any underlying neurological condition,” Dr. Mankad says.

He says this doesn’t mean people with a neurological condition can’t enjoy cold treats. Instead, they need to consume these treats in small amounts and see how their brain responds. Over time, they can gradually consume more cold treats to slowly desensitize the brain.

However, people with congenital defects around their lips and palate may experience rapid cold transmission to the nerves when exposed to cold food or drinks. “This can cause significant sensitivity and an unpleasant sensation but fortunately it can be avoided by minimizing one’s exposure to these cold triggers,” Dr. Mankad says.

Overall, if you experience headaches that won’t seem to go away, unexplained dizziness or vision changes, make sure to schedule an appointment with your health care provider.

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