Chewing gum has long been described as a technique of relaxation [1]. The U.S. Army has long recognised that gum chewing can help reduce stress and has been included in combat rations since World War I.

Research has shown that the act of chewing gum can help decrease cortisol levels, a hormone associated with stress, as well as reduce subjective stress levels and improve mood.

Chewing gum has been suggested to help reduce stress and anxiety through several mechanisms:

1. Increased blood flow to the brain: Chewing gum may increase blood flow to the brain, which is thought to improve cognitive functions and potentially reduce stress [2]. This increase in blood flow could enhance the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to brain cells, promoting their overall health and function.
2. Distraction and sensory input: Chewing gum can provide a sensory distraction, occupying the mind and potentially helping to reduce stress and anxiety by focusing attention on the act of chewing [3].
3. Release of serotonin: Some studies suggest that the act of chewing may stimulate the release of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that contributes to feelings of well-being and happiness (Michaels et al., 1992). Increased serotonin levels may help alleviate stress and anxiety [4].
4. Reduction in cortisol levels: A study by Smith (2009) found that chewing gum was associated with reduced cortisol levels, a hormone closely linked to stress [5].

Incorporating chewing gum into your daily routine may be a simple yet effective way to boost mental performance and achieve your goals as it has been shown to enhance cognitive performance, particularly in the areas of focus, attention, and reaction times [6] [7].

The exact mechanisms behind how chewing gum improves focus, attention, and reaction times are not yet fully understood. However, there are several theories and possible explanations one of the main is that chewing gum may increase blood flow to the brain, which could enhance cognitive function [8].

Chewing gum has been shown to have a positive effect on alertness and tiredness. One study found that chewing gum for 15 minutes can increase subjective alertness, improve attention, and reduce self-reported levels of tiredness [9].

The mechanism by which chewing gum improves alertness and reduces tiredness is not yet fully understood. However, some researchers have suggested that it may be related to the physical and mental stimulation provided by the act of chewing, similar to the evidence presented in how chewing gum improves focus, attention and reaction times.

Working in conjunction with the gut benefit of feeling satiated after eating, chewing gum has also shown to have an effect on the brain to reduce food cravings.

The findings from one study found that suggest that appetite reduction by chewing stimulation, even in the absence of taste, odor, and ingestion, may affect reward circuits and help prevent impulsive eating [10].

One study [11] has shown chewing gum can be a simple and effective way to get rid of an earworm (a catchy tune or melody that gets stuck in your head and plays repeatedly, often without your control) by interrupting the pattern of the tune and distracting your brain.

The study suggests that the act of chewing gum may interfere with the formation of auditory imagery, which is thought to be a key component of earworms....meaning that rather than distracting your brain from the song, the study suggests that chewing gum hijacks the same auditory mechanism your brain uses to replay it.