Chewing on wooden sticks could boost your memory performance by up to 19% compared to regular gum, according to research that’s making neuroscientists reconsider everyday cognitive enhancement techniques. Yes, that nervous habit of gnawing on pencils during exams might actually have been helping you all along.
In findings that sound more like a bizarre life hack than serious science, researchers discovered that the specific act of chewing wood—particularly wooden tongue depressors—appears to increase brain antioxidant levels and subsequently enhance memory function in ways that regular gum chewing doesn’t match.
Your Brain on Wood: The Science Behind the Chew
Before you start gnawing on your desk in hopes of acing your next presentation, let’s break down what’s actually happening here. The study, which compared participants chewing on wooden tongue depressors versus regular chewing gum, measured brain antioxidant levels and memory performance through a series of cognitive tests.
The wood-chewing group showed significantly higher levels of brain antioxidants, particularly glutathione—essentially the body’s master antioxidant that helps protect brain cells from oxidative stress. This increase correlated with measurably better memory recall and cognitive function.
Unlike the smooth, repetitive motion of chewing gum, the irregular texture of wood appears to create a different kind of sensory input. This irregular stimulation might activate parts of the brain associated with focus and memory in ways similar to how fidget toys help some people concentrate—except with the added benefit of those antioxidant boosts.
Various stimulation techniques for cognitive enhancement have been studied extensively, but this particular finding represents a surprisingly accessible method that requires no special equipment or training.
From Pencil-Chewers to Memory Masters
Think about every student you’ve ever seen nervously chewing on pencils during exams—they might have accidentally stumbled onto something genuinely helpful. Unlike expensive tech-driven cognitive enhancement tools, this approach costs virtually nothing and requires zero specialized knowledge.
What makes this finding particularly interesting is how it contradicts our usual understanding of cognitive enhancement techniques, which typically involve either intensive mental exercises, sophisticated brain stimulation, or pharmacological interventions. Instead, this suggests that something as mundane as the texture and composition of what we chew could significantly impact brain function.
The wooden material itself might also be playing a role. Unlike gum’s artificial ingredients, wood contains natural compounds that, when minimally introduced to our systems through the action of chewing (not actually consuming the wood, to be clear), might trigger beneficial neurological responses.
The Chew-tility of Everyday Objects
Before you start chomping on your IKEA furniture, there are important considerations. The study specifically used clean, untreated wooden tongue depressors—not pencils with paint and lead, or random twigs from your backyard. The mechanical properties of the wood matter too: it needs to be something that provides resistance without splintering dangerously.
This discovery joins other surprisingly simple cognitive enhancement technologies that don’t require technological intervention. Consider how specific breathing techniques have been shown to impact memory, or how the absence of digital stimulation can dramatically improve focus and attention.
While Silicon Valley pumps millions into brain-computer interfaces and pharmaceutical companies research next-generation smart drugs, sometimes the most effective cognitive enhancements might be the simplest. This echoes other low-tech approaches to brain health that have shown surprising efficacy, like the connection between certain physical movements and improved neural pathways.
Should You Start Chewing Wood Tomorrow?
Beyond the immediate memory benefits, researchers noted sustained effects in the wood-chewing group. Antioxidant levels remained elevated for several hours after chewing sessions, suggesting that brief wood-chewing breaks throughout the day might provide cumulative benefits for brain health.
The implications extend beyond just memory enhancement. The antioxidant boost could potentially offer neuroprotective benefits, which might be especially relevant for aging populations or those concerned about cognitive decline. This positions wood chewing as not just a performance hack but potentially a brain health practice.
As with any emerging research, more studies are needed to fully understand the mechanisms at work and potential long-term effects. The current findings primarily demonstrate correlation rather than comprehensively explaining causation. Questions remain about optimal durations, best materials, and whether benefits vary across different demographics.
What makes this finding particularly intriguing is its accessibility. While many cognitive enhancement techniques require expensive technology, specialized knowledge, or pharmaceutical interventions, this approach costs virtually nothing and requires zero specialized training. It’s cognitive enhancement democratized.
Next time you find yourself reaching for chewing gum before a mentally demanding task, you might consider reaching for a wooden alternative instead. Your brain cells—apparently big fans of that prehistoric chewing experience—might thank you for the antioxidant boost. Sometimes the most effective cognitive hacks aren’t downloaded from an app store but found in the most ordinary objects around us.