New Polish review shows how chewing gum alters brain activity — and why it may briefly ease stress and sharpen attention
A June 2025 narrative neuroimaging review from the University of Szczecin synthesizes fMRI, fNIRS and EEG studies to show that chewing gum transiently alters brain activity, briefly boosting vigilance and easing mild stress while effects remain short-lived.
- Chewing reliably engages sensorimotor networks, and sometimes recruits higher-order attention and stress-regulation regions.
- Behavioral gains are modest and state-dependent — benefits typically occur while chewing and fade soon after.
- Evidence is short-term and mixed: limited sample sizes, variable gum/task conditions, and potential publication bias.
What the review is and how it was done
Researchers at the University of Szczecin produced a narrative synthesis of human neuroimaging studies spanning 1980 through March 2025. The paper reviewed 32 experiments (15 fMRI, 10 fNIRS, 2 combined fNIRS+EEG, 5 EEG) to map neural responses during mastication and relate them to attention, alertness and emotional control. Read the full review: University of Szczecin review (Brain Sciences, June 2025).
Chewing gum brain activity: basic motor and sensory networks
Across fMRI studies, chewing consistently activates primary motor and somatosensory cortices (jaw/oral areas), the supplementary motor area (SMA) for rhythmic chewing, the insula, cerebellum and thalamus. The review emphasizes that mastication engages a broad, coordinated network rather than a simple reflex—highlighting the complex sensorimotor architecture of chewing.
Higher-order regions: attention, alertness and emotional control
Importantly, several studies reported activity beyond motor zones. Under conditions such as flavoured gum or task-induced stress, investigators observed increases in prefrontal and cingulate activation—areas linked to attention, executive control and stress regulation. The authors suggest these recruitments may provide the neural basis for the common perception that gum can help concentration or reduce tension.
EEG findings: short-lived shifts toward “relaxed concentration”
EEG studies reported transient rises in alpha and beta power during chewing—especially with flavoured gum—patterns often associated with relaxed concentration or increased vigilance. Crucially, these spectral changes usually dissipate shortly after chewing stops, indicating temporally limited effects.
What the review says about focus and memory
On attention and vigilance, multiple experiments show modest, short-term gains—most apparent during boring or repetitive tasks where sustaining alertness matters. In contrast, evidence for memory improvement is weak and inconsistent; many studies report no robust benefit to recall or learning. The review cautions that observed neural shifts do not equate to lasting cognitive enhancement.
Stress and anxiety: where gum may help — and where it does not
fNIRS imaging often showed increased oxygenated blood flow in prefrontal cortex during chewing, frequently stronger when participants were stressed or when gum was flavoured. Behavioural data in the review indicate chewing can reduce self-reported anxiety in mild to moderate stress tasks (e.g., public-speaking simulations, mental arithmetic). However, chewing failed to reliably lower stress in very high-pressure medical situations or during unsolvable, highly frustrating tasks.
How strong is the evidence?
The authors highlight key limitations: effects are typically brief and state-dependent, study methods vary widely (flavour, sugar content, chewing pace, task types, stress induction), and most experiments are small lab studies rather than large trials. The review calls for longer-term, better-controlled studies to determine whether routine chewing yields lasting benefits or clinical value.
How the media framed the findings
Mainstream outlets simplified the review’s cautious conclusions. News and lifestyle pieces often emphasized that chewing gum can boost attention and ease mild stress. Examples of coverage include Fox News and lifestyle summaries on AOL. The academic paper itself stresses that neural changes are clear but do not support strong claims of lasting memory gains.
Practical takeaways
- Chewing gum reliably activates chewing-related brain areas and sometimes higher-order networks tied to attention and stress control.
- Any boost in alertness or tension reduction is usually small and occurs while chewing.
- Claims that gum dramatically improves memory or cures anxiety are not supported by consistent evidence.
- More rigorous, longer-duration studies are needed before recommending gum as therapy or a formal workplace tool.
Implications for California
Economic and workplace: Employers may view gum as a low-cost, low-risk method to help workers stay alert during long or monotonous shifts, but should avoid formal policies assuming large or lasting productivity gains.
Education and classrooms: Some teachers tolerate gum to help restless students. The review suggests short-term vigilance benefits but no reliable memory gains; school districts should weigh hygiene, discipline and equity before widespread allowance—pilot programs with clear rules may be sensible.
Public and mental health: For everyday mild stress, gum may be a harmless, short-lived self-help measure, but it is not a substitute for therapy, medication or validated stress-management programs.
Policy and corrections: Given modest, brief benefits and operational concerns (cleanliness, security), policymakers should be cautious about changing institutional gum bans solely to improve focus or reduce stress.
Further reading and source links
- University of Szczecin review (Brain Sciences, June 2025)
- Fox News — coverage and summary
- AOL — lifestyle summary
- AOL — related article
- Classroom commentary — TeacherToolkit
“Neural changes from chewing are clear, but they should not be taken as evidence of long-term cognitive or clinical benefits.” — Review summary
