Ice Cream Headaches
 

Someone please tell me why we get these and how? Yesterday, after mowing the lawn, I was chugging down some ice-cold lemonade and BAM! one hit me like a ton of bricks!

TIA

One of many google results

You have chilled your hard palatte. Rub your tongue against the roof of your mouth to warm it back up.

I don't ever get them. Neither do my brothers, so it must be something genetic. Needless to say, we're pretty good at ice cream eating contests :).

I have read some literature which suggests that the tissue around the optic nerve has been cooled to an abnormal temperature and results in the ice cream headache. Try pressing lightly on your eyes next time you have the headache and I can almost guarantee that the pain will subside.

The other end of the nerve in the roof of your mouth is behind your forehead, right near the optic nerve. When the temperature difference is too great, blood vessels start to dilate in order to circulate blood and equalize the temperature. The pain alerts you that this is happening. It's a good way for your body to make sure that your core temperature (your mouth is a good reflection of this) isn't dropping too much without you knowing it.