[The Science of Brain Freeze: Why Your Head Hurts When You Eat Cold Treats]-[Brain Freeze! (7/15/24)]

Wow in the World · B1 · 2024-07-15

📋 Summary

The Science Behind the 'Brain Freeze'

In a recent episode of Wow in the World, hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz explore the physiological phenomenon commonly known as "brain freeze." Triggered by Mindy’s reckless consumption of a "brown cow" (a mixture of root beer and ice cream), the duo dives into the science behind why consuming cold items too quickly causes a sharp, sudden headache.

The Role of the Sphenopalatine Ganglion (SPG)

According to Dr. Stephanie Vertries, a headache specialist at the Texas A&M College of Medicine, a brain freeze occurs when cold food makes contact with a specific bundle of nerves located at the back of the palate, known as the sphenopalatine ganglion or SPG. When these nerves are suddenly exposed to cold temperatures, they essentially "freak out" and send an urgent distress signal to the brain, which we perceive as an intense, sharp headache.

Why Does Brain Freeze Happen?

Neuroscientist Dr. Dwayne Godwin explains that the brain has an aversion to rapid changes. The brain freeze sensation acts as a biological warning system, signaling the body to "slam on the brakes" when environmental conditions—such as extreme heat—clash with the rapid intake of freezing food. Essentially, the body is trying to regulate its internal state by forcing us to slow down our consumption.

Prevention and Remedies

While brain freeze is generally harmless and fleeting, the experts offer practical advice to avoid it:

Eat Slowly: Dr. Vertries suggests consuming cold items slowly to allow the mouth to warm the food before it hits the sensitive SPG nerves in the back of the throat.
Keep it Forward: Keeping food toward the front of the mouth prevents it from triggering the nerves deeper in the palate.
The Tongue Trick: If a brain freeze strikes, Dr. Vertries recommends tilting your head back and pressing your tongue firmly against the roof of your mouth for about 10 seconds. This action transfers heat from the tongue to the sinuses, which in turn warms the SPG nerves and alleviates the pain.

Beyond the Ice Cream Headache

Interestingly, the study of the SPG isn't just about understanding why we get headaches from ice cream. Scientists believe that because the SPG nerves are also implicated in more severe, chronic conditions like migraines and cluster headaches, understanding this mechanism could lead to better treatment options for those suffering from debilitating chronic pain. In fact, some medical professionals have even explored the idea of using controlled cold exposure to help mitigate the onset of a migraine.

By blending humor with expert insights, the episode highlights how our bodies often communicate with us through these "mysterious" sensations, reminding us that even a simple brain freeze offers a fascinating window into the complexities of the human nervous system.

🎯Key Sentences

It's going to be a November to remember.

But for now, let's get on with the show.

know what I mean?

not as funny when you have to explain it.

I learned my lesson.

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📝Key Phrases

music to your ears

get on with the show

good as new

a close call

come in handy

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📖 Transcript

Grownups, Wondery Plus subscribers can listen to Wow in the World early and ad-free right now.

Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or Wondery Kids Plus on Apple Podcasts.

Hey, Wowzer fans, Mindy here.

And before we start the show, I gotta let you know that this November, with a special new episode featuring our friends at Circle Round and Terrestrials on Radiolab for Kids,

And don't miss when Elmo from Sesame Street stops by Wow in the World to make us all belly laugh on November 24th.

Oh, but that's not all, Reg.

Or study on the web version →