A brain freeze, or the sudden, stabbing pain in the head caused by eating or drinking something cold, is actually a type of headache. The sensation is limited to the forehead and temple area, and resolves within 10 minutes after removal of the cold stimulus, according to the International Classification Of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3).
The pain of brain freeze can begin within seconds of being exposed to cold temperatures, and the pain peaks quickly, often within seconds of onset. Some people may describe the discomfort as a stabbing or aching type of pain, while individuals who have migraines may perceive it as a throbbing or pulsating pain, Dr. Stephanie Goldberg, a neurologist and clinical development associate medical director at Vertex Pharmaceuticals in Boston, told Live Science.
