Got Brain Freeze? Put Down the Ice Cream Spoon and Try These 5 Remedies!
But from one of the most beloved desserts has sprung one of the most unpleasant of feelings: brain freeze. Unfortunately, the ice cream induced condition is estimated to occur with every one in three people.
So what is brain freeze, exactly? In 2013, a group of headache researchers agreed that ice cream headaches, or "cold stimulus headaches," involves pain that occurs when a cold stimulus is applied to the head or mouth. The pain subsides shortly after the stimulus is removed.
Scientific explanation or not, we've all contended with this short but unpleasant sensation: you've just received your ice cream cup, brimming with cold, creamy goodness. The minute you scoop delicious dessert with your tasting spoon and shovel it into your mouth, you immediately realize your mistake. Right between your eyes, you feel a mind-numbing shot. But even after the pain subsides, you keep going back for more, because ice cream is worth the momentary brain freeze.
Luckily, ice cream lovers can rest easy, for there are many simple ways to cure common brain freeze! Here are five of them:
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The Tongue Trick
This is one of the oldest tricks in the book. Simply press your tongue against the roof of your mouth to warm the area.
- The Tilt-O-Whirl -Â Tilt your head back for about 10 seconds, and you should feel relief almost instantaneously.
- The Hot Swap -Â Drink a liquid that is considerably warmer than the ice cream you consumed.
- The Thumb Sucker -Â Press your thumb against the roof of your mouth until the pain subsides.
- The Preventative -Â If you want to prevent brain freeze altogether take small bites, letting them warm on your tongue before they reach the roof of your mouth.