"Sour Candy: A Surprising Remedy for Panic Attacks? Expert Weighs In"

A TikTok user has gone viral for claiming that eating sour candy, specifically Warhead sour candies, can help halt panic attacks. Mental health expert Melissa Miller explains that panic attacks are triggered by the amygdala, which can have difficulty distinguishing real from imagined danger. Sour candy acts as a grounding focus, distracting from the panic attack and helping the brain understand that no real danger is present. Grounding techniques, such as eating sour candy, can help bring individuals back to the present moment and de-escalate the physical sensations of a panic attack. Other disruptors mentioned by commenters include Altoids, ice cubes, sour Skittles, Listerine melts, and lemons.