Ice cream headaches are brief, stabbing headaches that can happen when you eat or drink something cold. Ice pops, slushy frozen drinks, ice cream and other cold foods and drinks can have the same “brain freeze” effect.

Scientists are still unsure about the exact mechanism that causes this pain. One theory suggests that the cold food or drink may temporarily alter blood flow in your brain, causing a brief headache. Some researchers suspect that the pain is referred from your mouth to your head via the trigeminal nerve, which delivers sensory information from the face and mouth to the brain.

Ice cream headaches can affect anyone. But you may be more susceptible to ice cream headaches if you’re prone to migraines. The headaches may also be more common among people with a history of head injuries.

Ice cream headaches rarely need treatment. Typically, the pain quickly disappears after the cold food or drink is swallowed. The headaches can sometimes be relieved faster if you warm the back of your mouth with your tongue or a warm drink.

To help prevent ice cream headaches, eat cold foods and drink cold beverages slowly. The only way to definitely avoid getting an ice cream headache is to avoid the cold food or drinks that cause them.

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