Experts have revealed that eating sour sweets is a great way to get out of a panic attack instantly – and it works faster than tried-and-tested therapy methods.
Taylorfrom the US regularly experiences panic-related symptoms and asked her therapist about methods to manage her anxiety disorder.
‘My therapist told me to eat a Warhead (an American sour hard candy) when I felt a panic attack coming on, and when I say I’ve never had anything, snap me out of the grip of a panic attack faster – I mean it it ,” she said.
The intense taste is distracting and activates the parasympathetic nervous system, a part of the brain that inhibits an anxiety attack.
Certified mental health therapist Katie Pankonin also shared that food something very spicy like sriracha or spicy like salt and vinegar chips will have the same effect.
Taylor from the US often experiences anxiety-related symptoms and asked her therapist about methods to treat them – who recommended hard sour sweets such as Warheads
“The sharper the taste – sour, spicy, everything in between – the more likely your brain will step outside that anxious thought and start enjoying what you’re tasting more,” Ms Pankonin previously told DailyMail.com.
Eating something acidic increases saliva production in the mouth, which is the first step in reactivating that digestive system.
‘When we have high levels of anxiety, or when we are in a panic attack, our body is in fight or flight. Your mind thinks there is a perceived or actual threat,” Micheline Maalouf, a licensed mental health counselor, previously told FEMAIL.
Such anxiety manifests itself in shallow breathing, increased heart rate and slowed digestion.
Mental health experts Michele Maalouf (left) and Katie Pankonin (right) both recommend eating a sour candy, salty chip or spoon, or sriracha to quell an impending panic attack
However, the intense taste of sour sweets or a spoonful of hot sauce activates the parasympathetic nervous system and helps the body relax.
“I think especially if it’s not a taste you’re used to on a daily basis, it will do the trick,” Ms. Pankonin said.
Ms Maalouf warned that sour sweets are not a long-term solution: ‘It’s basically a band-aid for a problem, it’s not something you want to just rely on. It doesn’t get to the heart of the problem.’
Many admitted that the hack worked for them – and shared other distractions that worked similarly.
“During my first panic attack, I thought I was having a heart attack and went to call 911, but my desire not to talk on the phone kept me from getting out,” one woman said.
“If warheads don’t work, try eating raw lemons, wasabi, chili peppers and chili chocolates,” said another.
“The cold water on my neck changed my life,” said one man.