Ever caught yourself absentmindedly chewing on a pencil during a long meeting or while studying?
Turns out, you might actually be onto something. A recent study from South Korea suggests that chewing on pencils—not just gum—could give your brain a surprising boost.
Participants who chewed on a wooden tongue depressor while taking a cognitive test performed better than those who didn’t. While scientists are still unsure why, they believe the act of chewing improves blood flow to the brain and releases an antioxidant called GSH, which might enhance focus and memory.
While gum also showed some positive effects, it wasn’t quite as powerful as the humble pencil. But before you go grabbing every pencil in sight, keep in mind that your dentist might not be thrilled about this new brain-boosting habit—nobody wants to chip a tooth.
So, the next time you’re facing a big test, an important project, or just need to concentrate, reach for that trusty #2 pencil (or maybe a popsicle stick) and see if it gives you the mental edge you need. Who knew chewing on a pencil could be your new secret weapon?
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