Can Ice Cream Cure a Headache? The Sweet Answer You’ve Been Looking For

The Headache and the Ice Cream Myth

We’ve all been there – you're battling a nasty headache, and you wonder if that scoop of ice cream in the fridge could work some sort of magic. Maybe it’s the cold sensation, or maybe it's the comforting idea of a sweet treat that just makes everything feel better. But can ice cream actually cure a headache? Is it all just a comforting myth, or is there something real behind it?

Does Cold Really Help With Headaches?

Before jumping to conclusions, let’s think about this: cold is known to help with some types of pain, especially headaches. Think about the common remedy of placing a cold compress on your forehead when you’re feeling the throb of a headache. The cold constricts blood vessels, which can potentially reduce inflammation and numb pain. So, it makes sense that cold food like ice cream might bring some temporary relief.

But wait—before you get too excited about the idea of reaching for a pint of your favorite flavor, let’s dive a little deeper into the science of headaches.

Types of Headaches and How They React to Cold

Tension Headaches

Tension headaches are those annoying, persistent headaches that make you feel like a vice is tightening around your skull. Interestingly, these headaches can sometimes be alleviated by cold, as it helps reduce the muscle tension that contributes to the pain. So, yes—if your headache is the result of tight neck and shoulder muscles, ice cream (or any cold treat) might provide a little temporary relief.

I remember a time when I had a killer tension headache after a long day at work. I grabbed some ice cream from the freezer (I was desperate, okay?) and just sitting with that cool treat in my mouth actually helped calm things down a bit. Maybe it was the cold, or maybe it was just the act of slowing down and focusing on something comforting for a few minutes.

Migraines: A Different Story

Now, here's where things get tricky. Migraines are a whole different beast. These headaches are often triggered by more specific factors like light, noise, or stress, and they can cause intense throbbing, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound. Unfortunately, the solution isn't as simple as just cooling off with ice cream.

In fact, cold food might not always be the best option for a migraine. Some people find that cold sensations can actually trigger a "brain freeze" (which, let’s be honest, is the last thing you need when you’re already in pain). For others, cold compresses can help, but you’d probably need to rely on other methods—like rest, hydration, or even medication—if your migraine is bad.

Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches are another type where the pain is often described as sharp, intense, and localized around one eye. While cold compresses are sometimes recommended, it’s unclear whether eating something cold like ice cream would help. In fact, the intense pain and symptoms of cluster headaches usually require specific treatments prescribed by a doctor.

The "Brain Freeze" Factor: Could Ice Cream Make It Worse?

Ah, the dreaded brain freeze. That sharp, intense pain that shoots through your head when you eat or drink something cold too quickly. It’s not exactly the kind of sensation you want to feel when you’re already dealing with a headache.

But here’s the thing—brain freeze happens because the cold stimulates the blood vessels in your mouth and head, causing them to constrict and then rapidly expand. This sudden change can lead to that sharp, painful sensation. So, if you’re already dealing with a headache and you eat ice cream too fast, you might end up with two headaches instead of just one. Yikes!

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

If you’re going to use ice cream to try and soothe a headache, take it slow. Don’t rush it down. Savor it, and give your body a chance to adjust to the cold without triggering a brain freeze. Personally, when I’ve had a headache and opted for a cold treat, I try to eat it slowly, almost like a form of meditation. It helps both my body and mind relax.

The Role of Sugar: Does Ice Cream Help or Hinder?

Ah, the sweet stuff. While ice cream can feel like an instant mood booster, sugar might not actually be the best ally when it comes to headache relief. Sure, that first spoonful is delightful, but high sugar intake can sometimes contribute to blood sugar spikes and crashes, which may worsen certain types of headaches, especially migraines.

A friend of mine, Sarah, once told me that whenever she had a migraine, she noticed that sugary foods like ice cream made it worse. It wasn’t an instant change, but after a while, she felt the headache come back stronger. It made me think that while ice cream might feel good for a short time, it’s not a long-term solution.

Conclusion: Ice Cream, a Temporary Relief or a Sweet Distraction?

So, can ice cream cure a headache? It depends. If your headache is caused by tension, the cool sensation from a cold treat might help reduce the discomfort for a little while. But for more intense headaches like migraines or cluster headaches, ice cream probably isn’t going to be your miracle cure. It might even make things worse if you end up with a brain freeze or a sugar crash.

If you're in pain, it’s always best to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment. But hey, if you’re looking for a little distraction or temporary comfort, enjoying some ice cream while you rest might just be the right choice.

What about you—have you ever reached for ice cream to cure a headache? Did it work for you, or did you end up with more pain?

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.