DEDHAM, Mass. — Boston 25 News is taking a closer look at a TikTok trend that claims popping a sour candy in your mouth will help bring sweet relief to anxiety and panic attacks.
Videos on the platform have tens of millions of views and posters swear by the sour technique.
In one video, a TikTok user said, “My therapist told me to eat a Warhead whenever I’m feeling a panic attack coming on, and when I say I’ve never had anything rip me out of the throws… I mean it.”
It’s not only Warheads but also candy like Airheads and Sour Patch Kids.
Certified Psychologist Dr. Justin D’Arienzo calls it “distraction with a punch.” He said the science behind sour candy includes acidic ingredients that release a rush of dopamine, a chemical linked with pleasure and reward.
“It is thought-stopping. It’s a grounding technique,” says D’Arienzo. “And it also triggers the brain’s natural reward system when you eat it. So, think about spicy foods. It really does the same thing.”
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 19.1% of people ages 18 and older in the United States suffer from anxiety disorders - making anxiety the most common mental illness in the country.
The CDC, Department of Health and Human Services, and Cleveland Clinic all link anxiety and panic attacks to depression.
Some experts call it an unhappiness epidemic, blamed on people having more choices than ever, including food, shopping, or information on their smartphones.
D’Arienzo says sour power does have weaknesses.
“So, to be clear it’s a tool for acute symptoms. It’s not going to cure your anxiety or depression. So, it doesn’t replace psychotherapy and medication if that’s needed,” says D’Arienzo.
What exactly is a panic attack? According to the Mayo Clinic, it includes:
- A feeling of being out of control
- A fear of death or impending doom
- A pounding/racing heart
D’Arienzo says if you are buying sour candy, make sure it’s a well-known brand from the store and not something online. That’s because there’s no telling what those ingredients might be.
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