What Causes ‘Brain Freeze’ When You Drink Cold Beverages Too Fast?

Imagine your brain is like a sleepy person who gets startled by something very cold. When you drink ice-cold drinks too fast, the cold hits your mouth and throat really quickly. This shocks your nerves, which then send a message to your brain, and poof, that sharp pain happens! It's called a brain freeze, and it's like your brain is saying, 'Whoa, that was unexpected!'

Take the quiz →

Examples

  1. Drinking an ice-cold soda in one big gulp causes your brain to feel like it’s freezing from the inside out.
  2. Eating a giant scoop of ice cream too fast makes your head feel like it's being filled with snowflakes.
  3. Sipping on iced tea quickly can turn your head into a mini freezer.

Ask a question

See also

Discussion

Recent activity

Nothing here yet.