Ever since it was first explored in a study back in 2008, there’s been talk about whether squeezing your thumb into a fist can ‘switch off’ your gag reflex – most recently on the short-form video platform, TikTok.
Useful to know when doing a Covid swab, I guess…
The theory has been amplified by several users of the platform, including @ohhkody claiming: “When you are squeezing your thumb, your brain is so focussed on the pressure that you’re creating in this area, that you forget about what’s going on here.”
Avery Flynn, content creator (@avery.flynnThe technique was also demonstrated by a tutorial. It required that the individual squeeze their left thumb five seconds, then press their chin on the chin for five more seconds. After that, she advised people to squeeze. “the skin in between your thumb and index finger”For an additional five seconds.
Evidently, there are some people who can stop themselves from gagging. @TruckerGirl77A video was uploaded showing her being capable of putting two fingers down the back of her throat. “#ItWorks”, while others took to Avery’s TikTok video to claim the strategy is successful.
“What it actually turned off my gag reflex,”One user wrote it in all caps.
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Another comment: “Okay wait why did this actually turn off my gag reflex though?”
“I literally just stuck my finger down my throat,”I yelled another, this time in all caps.
The fourth person found it all hilarious and wrote: “Y’all this is called placebo effect and I’m crying at these comments.”
The above 2008 studyThe research was conducted by three researchers from Miami University in Ohio. “the trigger point of the gag reflex moved posteriorly in all [36] subjects as a result of pressure to the palm point”.
The academics applied force to all participants in the study using a wearable hand pressure device. Their conclusion was that they were able to “introduce a treatment involving the simulation of a pressure point that consistently altered the gag reflex trigger”.
Yet Dr Brad McKay, a GP from Sydney, isn’t entirely convinced, telling online outlet Junkee: “Pressing on your thumb and chin to ‘switch off’ your gag reflex is basically an elaborate placebo, which may work as a mild distraction and trick some people into relaxing while they eat a banana.
“Overall the TikTok method is a safe, cheap, quick, easy and totally useless therapy.”
While we’re glad a medical professional has offered up his two cents, past experience of viral TikTok challenges suggest this is another one to approach with caution – especially when there’s a risk of gagging.
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