r/science Professor | Medicine Mar 03 '25

Neuroscience Chewing different materials affects the brain and a new study found that chewing on wood (wooden tongue depressors), compared to chewing gum, led to a significant increase in a natural brain antioxidant called glutathione, and better performance on memory tasks.

https://www.psypost.org/chewing-wood-may-boost-memory-and-brain-antioxidants-study-finds/
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u/HeyWannaShrek Mar 03 '25

Good news for those that chew on pencils

91

u/GenePoolFilter Mar 03 '25

Unfortunately the paint the Chinese manufacturer uses is highly toxic, so it’s a wash.

11

u/NeuroticKnight Mar 03 '25

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u/MondayToFriday Mar 03 '25

It's mildly infuriating that they didn't include a picture of what the lines they draw look like.