The scientific consensus suggests that engaging in the simple, rhythmic act of chewing gum offers a measurable, albeit mild and temporary, boost to alertness. This effect is often described as an increase in subjective alertness and hedonic tone, meaning people report feeling more awake and in a better mood while chewing. The boost in wakefulness stems from a combination of physical and sensory stimulation that directly affects brain activity and function.
How Chewing Physically Stimulates the Brain
The physical act of mastication, or chewing, initiates a cascade of physiological responses that contribute to increased wakefulness. The rhythmic muscle movement involved in chewing activates the trigeminal nerve, a major cranial nerve responsible for sensation in the face and motor functions like biting and chewing. Stimulation is transmitted through this nerve, which promotes the release of vasodilated substances in the brain.
This neural stimulation leads to a measurable increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF) to various regions of the brain. Neuroimaging studies, such as those using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), have indicated that chewing gum increases oxygenated hemoglobin in the prefrontal cortex. This area of the brain is strongly associated with executive functions, attention, and working memory. The increased blood flow essentially provides more oxygen and nutrients to these high-demand brain regions, contributing to a state of heightened arousal.
The Alerting Effect of Flavor and Aroma
Beyond the physical mechanics of chewing, the flavor and aroma of the gum provide a distinct sensory contribution to the overall alerting effect. Common gum flavors, particularly mint or peppermint, contain essential oil compounds that act as mild arousal triggers. These aromatic compounds stimulate the olfactory receptors in the nose, a form of sensory input that is closely linked to the brain’s limbic system.
The limbic system is a region that influences emotion, memory, and arousal. The invigorating scent of peppermint, for instance, can trigger a neurological response that is perceived as heightened alertness and attention. This olfactory and gustatory stimulation acts as a mild interruption to a state of mild drowsiness, helping to disrupt the onset of fatigue. The cognitive enhancement observed from chewing gum is often found to be more pronounced when a strong flavor is present, suggesting the sensory input amplifies the effects of the physical chewing action.
Measuring the Improvement in Focus and Reaction Time
The combined effects of physical chewing and sensory input translate into measurable improvements in various cognitive outcomes, most notably sustained attention and reaction time. Studies monitoring performance on cognitive tasks have shown that chewing gum can significantly reduce errors on tasks requiring continuous vigilance. Participants who chew gum often demonstrate quicker reaction times, with some research indicating an improvement of up to 10%.
One analysis noted that the average reaction time for non-chewers was approximately 545 milliseconds, compared to about 493 milliseconds for those who were chewing. The improvements are particularly noticeable in tasks requiring sustained focus over a long duration, suggesting that chewing gum helps to moderate the “vigilance decrement”—the natural decline in performance that occurs over time. However, the effect is generally temporary and most effective in mitigating performance drops when a person is already experiencing mild fatigue. Chewing gum offers a modest cognitive boost but should not be viewed as a substitute for adequate sleep in overcoming severe sleep deprivation.