Chewing gum alleviates negative affect and reduces Cortisol during acute laboratory psychological stress

Robertson, Bernadette, Haskell, Crystal, Wetherell, Mark, Milne, Anthea, Kennedy, David and Scholey, Andrew (2007) Chewing gum alleviates negative affect and reduces Cortisol during acute laboratory psychological stress. In: Psychobiology Section of British Pyschological Society Annual Scientific Meeting, 2007, Windermere, UK.

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Abstract

Background
Previous studies have found chewing gum can improve memory. Little research has assessed possible effects of chewing gum on mood. This study investigated whether chewing gum may relieve stress in a controlled laboratory experiment utilizing a multi-tasking framework.

Methods
Using a randomised crossover design 40 participants (mean age 21.98 years) performed the multi-tasking framework at two intensities on separate days, both whilst chewing and not chewing (control). The order of stress level and chewing condition were counterbalanced. The state scale of the state-trait anxiety inventory, Bond-lader visual analogue mood scale (VAMS), a single stress VAMS and saliva samples for cortisol were completed before and after the framework.

Results
Baseline measures revealed that both levels of stress were effective in significantly increasing self-rated stress and state anxiety and reducing self-rated alertness, calmness and contentment. Cortisol levels fell during the morning (possibly due to a.m. diurnal changes), but this pattern was reversed in the afternoon suggesting a measurable stress response. Pre-post stressor changes for each measure at baseline were subtracted from pre-post stressor scores under both chewing and control conditions. Chewing gum was associated with significantly better alertness and reduced state anxiety, stress and salivary cortisol during both levels of stress. Those in the chewing condition also had significantly improved aggregate performance scores on the framework.

Conclusions
The mechanisms that underlie these effects are unknown. They may involve neurohormonal interactions during the cephalic phase, improved cerebral blood flow and/or effects secondary to performance improved during gum chewing.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Speech)
Additional Information:	Crystal Haskell is now known as Crystal Haskell-Ramsay.
Subjects:	C800 Psychology
Department:	Faculties > Health and Life Sciences > Psychology
Depositing User:	Becky Skoyles
Date Deposited:	31 Mar 2014 12:22
Last Modified:	10 Oct 2019 14:33
URI:	http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/16013

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