Chewing wood may boost memory and brain antioxidants, study finds: « Previous research has suggested that the act of chewing can influence brain activity and blood flow. »

[u/fchung]

https://www.psypost.org/chewing-wood-may-boost-memory-and-brain-antioxidants-study-finds/

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[u/sambogina]

was this study conducted by a beaver?

[u/desertkiller1 → u/sambogina]

Dam right!

[u/ptau217]

Is this a sexual euphemism? 

[u/greenknight884 → u/ptau217]

I hope they're not chewing it

[u/KetosisMD]

Psypost is sus.

At every level.

[u/RevolutionIll3189]

did Pica write this?

[u/Fit_Vehicle6556]

Love a good piece of wood in my mouth. Maybe it does boost memory: every time I've done it, it's definitely been memorable.

[u/longlost111]

‘Miswak, also known as siwak, is a natural teeth-cleaning twig derived from the Salvadora persica tree, also called the arak tree. The Arabic word miswak translates to “tooth-cleaning stick”. For thousands of years, it has been used as a natural toothbrush and toothpaste substitute in many regions.’

So I guess brushing teeth and chewing with miswak would be great for the brain

[u/tealccart]

I do love chewing on popsicle sticks!

[u/shimbo393 → u/tealccart]

I love chewing on hospital saltines, does that count

[u/UsanTheShadow]

Just ordered a few🪵from a nearby wood shop

[u/moonshinemondays]

"Act of chewing" I'll stick with gum thanks

Edit: changed gun to gum 👀

[u/fchung]

Reference: Kim S, Kim J-H, Lee H, Jang SH, Noeske R, Choi C, Chang Y and Choi Y-H (2024), Effect of chewing hard material on boosting brain antioxidant levels and enhancing cognitive function. Front. Syst. Neurosci. 18:1489919. doi: 10.3389/fnsys.2024.1489919. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/systems-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnsys.2024.1489919/full

[u/fchung]

« Our findings suggest that chewing moderately hard material could serve as an effective practice for increasing GSH levels in the brain. Based on these results, consuming harder foods might prove more effective in enhancing brain antioxidant defenses through elevated GSH levels. »