From the Guidelines
The trigeminal nerve, specifically its maxillary branch (V2), is responsible for the sensation of brain freeze. When you consume something very cold that touches the roof of your mouth, this nerve sends pain signals to your brain 1. Brain freeze occurs because the sudden cold causes blood vessels in the palate to constrict rapidly and then dilate, triggering pain receptors. The trigeminal nerve interprets this as pain and transmits these signals to the brain, which oddly perceives the pain as coming from the forehead area due to referred pain mechanisms.
Some key points to consider about the trigeminal nerve include:
- It is the largest cranial nerve, providing general sensation to large portions of the head and neck and branchial motor innervation to the muscles of mastication 1
- It is divided into three main divisions, known as the ophthalmic (V1), maxillary (V2), and mandibular (V3) branches 1
- Symptoms of trigeminal neuropathy or neuropathic pain syndromes vary with the involved segment and division and may or may not include other sensory deficits or motor deficits 1
The sensation of brain freeze typically lasts only 20-30 seconds and resolves once the palate warms up again. To prevent brain freeze, you can try eating cold foods more slowly or pressing your tongue against the roof of your mouth to warm the area. The most recent study on cranial neuropathy, published in 2022, provides evidence for the role of the trigeminal nerve in transmitting pain signals to the brain 1.
From the Research
Brain Freeze Sensation
The sensation of brain freeze, also known as ice cream headache or cold stimulus headache, is a temporary pain felt in the head after consuming cold foods or drinks too quickly.
- The nerve responsible for this sensation is the trigeminal nerve 2, 3, 4.
- The trigeminal nerve is a mixed nerve that consists primarily of sensory neurons and is divided into three branches: ophthalmic (V1), maxillary (V2), and mandibular (V3) 3, 4.
- The maxillary branch (V2) is thought to be involved in the sensation of brain freeze, as it innervates the skin and mucous membranes of the face, including the palate 3, 4.
- Stimulation of the trigeminal nerve, particularly the maxillary branch, can cause the sensation of pain or discomfort in the head, including brain freeze 5, 6.
- The exact mechanism of brain freeze is not fully understood, but it is thought to be related to the rapid change in temperature in the mouth and the stimulation of the trigeminal nerve 6.