These harrowing near-death experiences result from a sudden temperature drop in the back roof of your mouth, where your soft and hard palates meet. This irritates a cluster of nerves called the sphenopalatine ganglion, provoking a painful rush of blood to your brain. Should a brain freeze attack, run to the nearest tap – or grab a cup that’s sitting out – and warm the ganglion by sipping tepid water. To prevent a freeze, slow down; if you’re eating or drinking too quickly, your mouth doesn’t have enough time to warm up, aggravating the nerve cluster and putting on the hurt.
Your Summer Upgrade Is Here! The 11 Best Reads in Our New Issue
Big arms, flavour-packed braai recipes and heat-proof science – this is your manual for your best summer ever.




