The Science Behind Brain Freeze: A Neuroscientist's Explanation

'Brain freeze' or 'ice cream headache' is a sudden pain in the head due to rapid cooling and the brain's subsequent response to warm up the area. The sudden expansion of blood vessels in the roof of the mouth, triggered by the brain's warming response, is interpreted as pain. Although unpleasant, 'brain freeze' isn't harmful and can be avoided by consuming cold items more slowly or warming up the roof of the mouth.