• Question: why do we get brain freeze?

    Asked by elliecone2000 to Ben, James, Jen, Michael, Susanna on 20 Mar 2013.
    • Photo: Susanna Martin

      Susanna Martin answered on 20 Mar 2013:

      Brain freeze happens when we eat or drink something cold and the cold object touches the roof of your mouth, this can lead the the blood vessels contract, to try and prevent a loss of body heat. As the mouth warms up again the blood vessels relax, this increased the blood flow to the brain, and this sudden change can cause a headache like sensation.
      Some scientists are exploring brain freeze to try and help people that suffer from migraines.

    • Photo: Jen Todd Jones

      Jen Todd Jones answered on 20 Mar 2013:

      Hey Ellie

      Susie is right, it’s the roof of your mouth contracting or squeezing as the cold hits it, this puts pressure on the arteries and veins around the bottom of the brain which makes us feel that funny feeling! Thankfully it goes away again when we warm up 🙂

      Jen

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