Brain health tends to decline with age, as reduced brain volume, slower neuronal communication and diminished blood flow impact learning, memory, processing speed and other cognitive functions. While maintaining a healthy lifestyle—eating well, exercising, sleeping adequately, managing stress, and staying socially connected—is widely known to support brain function, a Harvard-trained neuroscientist has suggested three unconventional methods to further enhance cognitive performance.
Kevin Woods, Director of Science at Brain.fm, a music streaming service designed to influence brainwave activity, recommended three accessible strategies to complement traditional brain-boosting routines. “No brainstorm required,” he said, suggesting that these practices are simple yet potentially powerful tools.
Chewing gum: A stimulus for focus and memory
Chewing gum has long been associated with enhanced brain function, although the precise neurological mechanisms remain unclear. Some studies suggest that chewing increases cerebral blood flow, delivering greater oxygen and glucose to the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus—regions of the brain associated with memory and learning.
This increase in blood flow may, in turn, improve focus and attention while simultaneously reducing stress and anxiety. “It should be a gum with decent flavour that doesn’t fade too quickly—and one that doesn’t fall apart over time,” Woods told the New York Post, when asked what kind of gum offers the best benefits.
Dental professionals might recommend sugar-free gum, which offers a safer alternative for teeth. However, a more unconventional method emerged from a recent study: chewing hard substances such as wooden pencils may increase levels of the antioxidant glutathione in the brain—something chewing gum did not achieve. Still, Woods advised caution: “If you’re worried about splinters, tooth damage and digestive issues with wooden material, leave it to beavers.”
Walking backwards: A boost for memory and coordination
Retro walking—more commonly known as walking backwards—was another technique endorsed by Woods for its cognitive benefits. “Backward walking enhances brain health by challenging the brain, focusing attention and strengthening neural connections while potentially forming new pathways,” he explained.
Scientific studies have demonstrated that walking backwards can enhance memory, problem-solving skills, balance, coordination and posture. It also strengthens specific muscle groups, alleviates lower back pain, and burns more calories than forward walking.
“Studies have found that backward walking increases cognitive control and even memory recall,” Woods said. He encouraged beginners to take caution: “Start slowly, choose a path free of obstacles and uneven pavement, keep your head and torso upright, engage your core, step toes first and be mindful of your surroundings.”
Humming: Activating the brain’s vagus superhighway
The third technique Woods recommended is humming—an act that stimulates the vagus nerve, a network of over 200,000 fibres connecting the brain to key organs throughout the body.
“Humming can ease stress and promote relaxation,” Woods said, citing research that indicates it also boosts nitric oxide levels in the nasal cavity, which could improve cerebral blood flow and elevate mood.
“Studies on choir singers show enhanced heart rate variability and cognitive function,” he added. “Plus, the breath control required for sustained notes exercises the same neural networks involved in attention regulation.”
Woods suggested incorporating all three practices—chewing gum, backward walking, and humming—into a regular routine. “Since the brain is the control centre for thinking, feeling and acting, taking care of it is crucial for overall health and well-being,” he said.
While these methods show promising effects, Woods also stressed the importance of individual experimentation. “While science can tell us useful things to try, to some extent, different brains need different things to focus best,” he noted. “What you find helpful, someone else may find distracting. So don’t be afraid to test what works best for you.”
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