LiveLongAgeWell

Recently I’ve written about prescription drugs (like modafinil) that will likely improve your mental performance, but, like most drugs, there are possible side effects. Since these drugs are so new, there may be really serious ones that show up only after years of use. So today let’s talk briefly about something much milder—chewing gum—which might improve your mental performance, and certainly with much less risk.

I have been particularly interested in this subject because here in Brazil—and this is also true in many European and Asian countries—that the outcome of one big test, one written exam, will determine if someone gets into college or not. I have a friend here who is taking a written test that will determine if he gets an important job. There’s no interview, just this one test, so it’s lots of pressure.  I wanted to give him a little help, but didn’t want to suggest drugs such as modafinil. So I encouraged that he chew gum right before and during the test. There is research evidence that it could help him perform better, and you might consider this even if you don’t have to take tests anymore, but at times need a little mental boost.

Earlier in the decade there were studies that chewing gum improved performance on memory tests involving word lists, but the most recent study came from Baylor University in Houston. Researchers there looked at 108 students aged 13 to 16, and gave half of them sugar-free chewing gum to use in math class and while doing homework, and the other half went without gum. After fourteen weeks, they all took the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test, and the gum chewers slightly outperformed the non-chewers (by 3%, but they felt this was statistically significant).

Teachers noted also that the gum-chewers needed fewer breaks during class, seemed to pay better attention, and were quieter (they must have been careful and courteous chewers).

There have been other studies, using “functional MRI” scans, suggesting that gum chewing temporarily stimulates mental activity. These studies suggested that the mechanism is increased blood flow to the areas of the brain having to do with memory and focus such as the hippocampus and pre-frontal cortex. Other researchers have suggested that chewing temporarily lowers anxiety by releasing nervous tension, allowing one to perform better. This makes sense, and likely it is a combination of factors that allow students to perform better.

So while the mental boosting effect is not great, chewing gum might give you a little boost when you need it. Try it and see if it works for you; there’s not much to lose. But beyond possible mental benefits, gum chewing can be good for you in other ways, and we will cover that in the next post.  Have a great weekend!