How Does Chewing Gum Help You Focus

This one's for all those (including me) who find that chewing gum is an essential and inseparable part of their lives. We all have our own reasons to have it too, but I bet most of them include the state of hyperfocus as one of them. Well, this has just been proven by new studies. Let's dive into how this happens!

Blood to the Brain

When you chew (masticate) gum, you're working out the muscles in your jaw. This mechanical action increases blood flow to the brain which can cause more activity in the neurons. This helps improved cognition, and it also stimulates neurotransmitters (chemical messengers carrying signals between nerve cells and muscles) like dopamine (the mood hormone that improves motivation, memory, focus, attention and learning among a few). 

More Oxygen

More blood flow causes more oxygen to reach the brain (since the blood carries oxygen), especially to areas related to attention. This helps you reduce distraction and improve focus.

Working Memory

The repetitive chewing keeps the working memory active which holds information for short periods of time. Have you ever found yourself flipping back and forth between the pages of a novel? Have chewing gum the next time you're reading - you would definitely NOT face that again!

Conclusion

Chewing gum has been scientifically proven time and time again to improve cognitive performance, however there's a twist. Studies prove that people who just pretend to chew gum don't see the same advantages, so the next time you're chewing gum, remember to do it well!