From the Research
Sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia, also known as cold stimulus headache or brain freeze, is a brief, intense headache triggered by consuming very cold foods or drinks too quickly, affecting approximately 51.3% of the population, with no significant difference between men and women 1.
Characteristics of Brain Freeze
The headache is typically characterized by a sudden, sharp pain, often described as stabbing or pressing, and is usually localized to the frontal or temporal areas, with bilateral predominance 2. The pain is usually self-limiting, lasting less than 30 seconds to a minute, and is often accompanied by trigemino-autonomic symptoms, such as lacrimation 3.
Mechanism of Brain Freeze
The exact mechanism of brain freeze is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to the rapid change in blood flow in the area of the palate, causing pain receptors to be triggered 1.
Prevention and Alleviation
To prevent or alleviate brain freeze, it is recommended to:
- Eat or drink cold items slowly
- Press your tongue against the roof of your mouth
- Drink room temperature water immediately after the onset
Association with Other Headaches
Brain freeze has been found to be more common in individuals with a history of primary headaches, such as migraine or tension-type headache, with an odds ratio of 3.076 for migraine sufferers 2.
Important Considerations
While brain freeze is usually harmless, it is essential to note that, in rare cases, it can be a precipitant of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, as reported in a case study where a healthy young-adult man experienced simultaneous brain freeze and atrial fibrillation after consuming a slushed ice beverage 4.