Can Sour Candy Really Help Calm Anxiety? Experts Say—Maybe

A Tangy Twist on Mindfulness
Social media may be onto something with the sour candy craze. Mental health experts say the sharp taste of sour candy can serve as a simple grounding tool—helping redirect anxious thoughts by forcing the brain to focus on an intense sensory experience. The technique isn’t a cure, but it can offer short-term relief during moments of stress.

How It Works
Dr. Ayanna Abrams, founder of Ascension Behavioral Health, says she often uses mints, chocolates, or sour candies during therapy sessions to help patients reconnect with the present moment. The burst of flavor demands full attention, creating what psychologists call a “healthy distraction.” Harvard clinical psychologist Dr. Jacqueline Sperling adds that the practice mirrors mindfulness—drawing focus to the here and now rather than spiraling into future worries.

Savor the Moment
Experts recommend engaging all the senses. Notice the anticipation before unwrapping the candy, the tang that hits your tongue, and how the sensation changes as it dissolves. The goal is not to escape emotion, but to “ride the wave” of feeling until it naturally passes.

A Tool—Not a Treatment
Therapists emphasize that candy should complement, not replace, evidence-based treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, or medication. Used mindfully, sour candy can be one of many tools in managing anxiety—but experts warn against overreliance, especially for those with sensitivities to sugar or body image concerns.