Why chewing gum may sharpen focus and ease stress, a 2025 neuroimaging review finds
A 2025 University of Szczecin neuroimaging review in Brain Sciences journal finds chewing gum transiently engages prefrontal and cingulate networks, producing short-lived boosts in attention, vigilance and mild stress reduction tied to a state researchers call “relaxed concentration.”
Key takeaways
- Imaging evidence: Chewing activates sensorimotor areas and, in many studies, the prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex, regions linked to attention and stress regulation.
- Transient benefits: Small improvements in sustained attention and mild anxiety reduction occur mainly while chewing and fade after stopping.
- Method limits: Heterogeneous methods, flavored gum and short-term designs make long-term claims premature.
What the review looked at
Study: “The Neural Correlates of Chewing Gum – A Neuroimaging Review of Its Effects on Brain Activity,” conducted by researchers at the University of Szczecin and published June 18, 2025 in the Brain Sciences journal.
Methods: The authors performed a narrative review of 32 neuroimaging studies (15 fMRI, 10 fNIRS, 5 EEG; two combined fNIRS+EEG) spanning January 1980 through March 2025. Search records include a Google Scholar search and a PubMed search.
Which brain areas light up
Across imaging modalities, chewing gum reliably engaged the expected motor and sensory regions used for oral control. These commonly included the primary motor and somatosensory cortices, supplementary motor area, insula, cerebellum and thalamus — structures tied to movement coordination and oral sensation.
Higher-order engagement: Several fMRI studies also reported activation in the prefrontal cortex (attention, working memory, emotional control) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) (conflict monitoring, emotion regulation). Those results suggest chewing can reach beyond basic jaw motion to networks that influence focus and stress.
fNIRS and blood-flow signals: front of the brain
Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) studies measured increased oxygenated hemoglobin in the prefrontal cortex during chewing in several reports. Effects were sometimes stronger when gum was flavored or when participants faced mild stressors, implying that taste and sensory novelty may amplify frontal activation. For review context see the Brain Sciences journal summary.
EEG: relaxed concentration and short-lived alertness
EEG work found brief shifts in oscillatory activity during chewing — notably rises in both alpha and beta power. Authors characterize this pattern as “relaxed concentration”: a calm-but-alert state helpful for monotonous tasks. These EEG findings were transient and usually disappeared soon after chewing stopped (see EEG studies).
Behavioral effects: modest and temporary
When imaging and behavioral measures are combined, the review reports cautious, consistent themes:
- Attention & vigilance: Small gains in sustained attention, particularly during boring or repetitive tasks; benefits typically last only while chewing or shortly after.
- Memory: Evidence for improved recall is inconsistent and not reliably repeatable across studies.
- Stress & mood: In low-to-moderate stress contexts (practice speaking, timed math), some participants reported reduced anxiety; chewing did not reliably ease severe medical or high-stakes stress.
“Imaging changes cannot yet be linked to large, lasting improvements in real-world performance,” the authors write, urging more controlled trials to separate mastication from taste and novelty effects.
Limitations the review flags
- Heterogeneous methods: Gum types, flavors, chewing pace and task designs varied widely across studies.
- Flavour versus mastication: Many experiments used flavored gum, complicating attribution to chewing alone.
- Population gaps: Mostly healthy adults were studied; less is known about children and clinical groups.
- Short-term focus: Few studies test repeated or long-term chewing effects.
The authors recommend experiments that isolate taste, mastication and stress level, and that test longer exposure before broad claims are made (see the University of Szczecin paper summary).
How the report appeared in the press
Major outlets and lifestyle pages picked up the review. Coverage framed the findings in practical terms: chewing gum appears to engage attention and stress-regulation networks and can yield short-lived boosts in alertness and “relaxed concentration.” Examples include search coverage on Fox News search and AOL search, which emphasized modest, temporary benefits.
Implications for the United States of America
Economic: Chewing gum is low-cost and widely available. If small attention gains translate to slightly better workplace focus, employers could permit gum as a minimal-cost productivity aid. But hygiene and safety rules may limit adoption in some settings.
Political: The evidence doesn’t support government programs promoting gum-chewing for cognitive gains. Policy changes in schools or workplaces could be handled at local or institutional levels — for example, pilot programs in lower-stakes settings.
Social & cultural: Because gum is inexpensive, minor benefits are unlikely to widen equity gaps, though school bans could disadvantage students who find chewing helpful. Flavored or sugared gum raises dental concerns; sugar-free options are safer.
Practical applications for daily life
- When to try it: During long, monotonous tasks, study sessions, long drives, or mild stress moments like waiting to speak in a meeting.
- Which gum: Flavored gum sometimes produced stronger effects, but choose sugar-free varieties for dental health (xylitol options reduce cavity risk).
- Limits: Expect short-lived benefits; chewing is not a replacement for sleep, clinical treatment or training for attention disorders. Always follow workplace and school rules.
Sources and further reading
Primary review: Brain Sciences journal (University of Szczecin review).
Search records and related materials: Google Scholar search; PubMed search.
Media examples: Fox News search; AOL search. Classroom and blog summaries: Teacher Toolkit search.
Bottom line: The University of Szczecin’s neuroimaging review shows how a simple habit — chewing gum — can briefly engage attention and stress-related brain networks and produce modest, short-lived improvements in focus. More controlled, longer-term studies are needed before broad recommendations can be made.
