If you deal with panic attacks , coping mechanisms are crucial for finding relief. As explained by Fatema Jivanjee-Shakir, LMSW, feeling out of control can lead to more panic and distress. To regain a sense of safety and control, it's important to bring your body's attention back to the present.

You can do this with the help of grounding techniques (like breathwork , body scans, or visualization), but according to TikTok, there's another unexpected tool that may also help ease panic attacks: sour candy. According to some mental health professionals on TikTok , sucking on sour candy can help when you're on the verge of a panic attack (especially if you're out in public). One viral video shows how the sour taste of Warhead candy can "activate the parasympathetic nervous system that's responsible for relaxation.

" To find out if this panic attack hack is actually backed by science, we spoke with mental health professionals and got their honest thoughts. Read on to see what experts had to say about the viral sour candy trend and how it really works. Fatema Jivanjee-Shakir , LMSW, is a therapist specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, depression, and anxiety.

Raquel Martin , PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and assistant professor at Tennessee State University. How Does Sour Candy Help With Panic Attacks? In essence, sour candy serves as a distraction to take your body out of its "fight, flight, or freeze" stress response . "The beauty of using sour candy is that.