WE'RE GONNA NEED MORE DUBBLE BUBBLE:

Surprising insights from the social sciences (Kevin Lewis, March 29, 2009, Boston Globe)

Better thinking through gum

BECAUSE OF ITS association with the carefree attitude of youth, chewing gum can convey an immature or unprofessional air. New research suggests that it may be time to change that preconception. People who chewed gum while working through challenging mental tasks showed higher alertness and lower stress and anxiety (including lower levels of cortisol, a stress hormone) than those who weren't chewing gum. Although the exact mechanism is unclear, the authors speculate that chewing gum may increase blood flow or metabolism.

Scholey, A. et al., "Chewing Gum Alleviates Negative Mood and Reduces Cortisol During Acute Laboratory Psychological Stress," Physiology & Behavior (forthcoming).

Where were these guys when we were kids?

Posted by Orrin Judd at March 29, 2009 6:38 AM