Ancient Instinct, Modern Science: Brain Scans Reveal Why Chewing Gum Soothes and Focuses the Mind

For over a century, chewing gum has been marketed as a quick fix for frayed nerves and wandering attention, a claim rooted more in anecdote than science. Now, groundbreaking research is revealing there may be a tangible biological basis for this long-held belief. A comprehensive 2025 review by scientists at Poland’s University of Szczecin, analyzing decades of brain-imaging studies, has pinpointed how the simple act of chewing alters activity within key neural networks. Using MRI, EEG, and other technologies, the team discovered that gum chewing activates not just the brain’s motor regions but also engages higher-order areas linked to attention, alertness, and emotional control, creating a state of “relaxed concentration” that can briefly sharpen focus during tedious tasks.

However, the study, published in early 2026, clarifies that gum’s benefits are nuanced and situational. While it can lower anxiety during mildly stressful activities like public speaking, it offers little relief in high-stress scenarios such as awaiting surgery. Furthermore, any cognitive boost is fleeting, fading shortly after chewing stops, and gum showed no consistent benefit for memory recall. Experts suggest gum may primarily satisfy a fidgeting impulse, with its neurological effects not yet directly proven to cause behavioral improvements. As researchers call for more studies on long-term impacts and therapeutic uses, dentists concurrently warn that while sugar-free varieties can fight cavities, excessive chewing or certain additives may pose risks to dental health—a modern caveat to an ancient, instinctively soothing habit.