TikTok Teens Claim Hand Gesture Can 'turn Off Gag Reflex' - The Mirror

TikTok teens claim hand gesture can 'turn off gag reflex' - here's the science

The hand gesture involves squeezing your thumb with one hand, while pressing a finger on your other hand to your chin

CommentsTechnologyShivali Best11:17, 03 Mar 2020Updated 11:17, 03 Mar 2020

From men dipping their testicles on soy sauce to teens placing coins in iPhone chargers, a range of bizarre trends have circulated on TikTok in recent months.

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Now, the latest trend sees teens using a hand gesture to ‘turn off their gag reflex.’

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The hand gesture involves squeezing your thumb with one hand, while pressing a finger on your other hand to your chin.

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Bizarrely, many users claim that the combination of movements has the magical ability to turn off their gag reflex.

TikTok user @gremlin_rat posted a video of the trend, and said: “Did you guys know you could turn off your gag reflexes if you squeeze your thumb? Also if you squeeze right here on your chin you can also turn off your gag reflexes.

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“It’s not that funny because I almost swallowed my fork during lunch.”

Meanwhile, TikTok user @talystra.moses17 shared a video on her page, writing: “So I have the worst gag reflex in the history of humans and I genuinely get sick when I gag.

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“So I tried the trick to see if I could turn it off and….it worked! Still low-key sceptical…I’m not sure if it’s psychological/placebo or if it actually worked but I had no urge to gag the second time.”

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While several teens have now tried the challenge, according to experts, the hand gesture is simply a placebo.

Speaking to Junkee , Dr Brad McKay, a GP in Sydney, explained: “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.”