Possible help for anyone who suffers from anxiety and panic attacks.
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (55456)
January 14, 2026 3:01pm CST
I am so fortunate that I don't suffer from either of these, but I know it's a real thing, and I've seen it in various friends and one of my family members. So many seem to suffer from one or both of these conditions.
Earlier today, I stumbled on this information, and I thought I would pass it along, just in case it might help someone.
''The Science Pulse
January 11 at 8:01?PM
·
If you’re prone to panic attacks, a simple trick could make a big difference: keep sour candy on hand. The intense taste provides a powerful sensory distraction that helps redirect your brain away from anxious thoughts and calms the mind.
Studies suggest that engaging the senses during moments of stress can reduce the severity of panic episodes. Sour candy stimulates taste buds and triggers focus on the present, giving your nervous system a chance to settle and regain control.
This easy, portable strategy is a natural way to manage sudden anxiety. Next time you feel a panic attack coming on, popping a sour candy might be all it takes to distract your mind and regain calm quickly.''
If there is even a chance it might help someone, it's worth posting, I think.
17 people like this
16 responses
@JudyEv (373025)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Jan
@MarieCoyle Our DIL suffers from it too. It's very debilitating.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (55456)
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15 Jan
One of my long-time college buddies has terrible anxiety. She has a therapist and medication etc. but it still hits her hard at times.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (55456)
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15 Jan
@JudyEv
It's hard to watch, too, when it appears from the outside they are having a heart attack. I am sorry for her.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (203760)
• United States
14 Jan
Very cool. I did have panic attacks at one time, but they were related to birth control pills. Once I stopped taking them...never had another one, although there are timed my anxiety cranks up I don',t have severe physical symptoms. I found what helped the most wss knowing what they were and the fact I wss not having a heart attack or suffocating.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (55456)
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15 Jan
Yes, it does seem that often people think they are having a heart attack when it's a panic attack. That has to be a terrible feeling!
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (203760)
• United States
15 Jan
@MarieCoyle It's very scary. One time I had one on a bus and another on a plane..Feeling I was trapped there and possibly dying..was very unnerving.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (55456)
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15 Jan
@snowy22315
Oh, I'm sorry. That must have been terrible. I know from observing others who have them that it is NOT fun.
2 people like this
@annierose (21955)
• United States
15 Jan
Thank you very much for sharing this. My mom used to have anxiety and panic attacks when she was living with us here in the US. She would have trouble breathing, especially when it got dark in our house, and the thought of flying alone back to the Philippines for 16 hours would frighten her. I hope she no longer experiences anxiety or panic attacks now that she's back home in the Philippines, but if she does, I will recommend that she try some sour candies.
1 person likes this
@annierose (21955)
• United States
26 Jan
@MarieCoyle My mom lives alone in the house. My sister lives right next to her, so she can visit my mom whenever she’s free. However, there are times when my sister has to go away for work and isn’t home for days.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55456)
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17 Jan
Yes, she was definitely suffering a lot from panic attacks, poor lady. Maybe it will help her? Worth a try!
I know you worry about her and miss her a lot. 
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55456)
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24 Jan
@annierose
Does your Mom live with one of your sisters, or by herself? I am glad they are caring for her, I am sure that relieves your mind.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (494488)
• Italy
15 Jan
@MarieCoyle - It's not good, my niece had anxiety attacks soon after she had to leave her father's home, but she is fine now.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55456)
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17 Jan
@LadyDuck
I am sure she was worried and that caused them. It was traumatic for her, for sure.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55456)
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15 Jan
I am so glad not to have them. From ones I have observed, it’s not good at all.
1 person likes this
@just4him (322399)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
17 Jan
@MarieCoyle The first time I bought Sweetarts I thought would be my last time, but as much as I don't like them I also love them.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55456)
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18 Jan
@just4him
I am not really a candy person. I love dark chocolate, but I don’t have it often.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55456)
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17 Jan
Most definitely. I am not a fan of sour candy, but I can see that it would be a huge distraction!
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (186221)
• Boise, Idaho
14 Jan
That's good to know. I hadn't heard that before. I have a diagnosis of severe depression with panic attacks. Am VERY sensitive to anxiety. Also had PTSD but am much better now. I have some meds I take if I get really bad. I will keep this in mind too. Thanks for this info.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55456)
•
15 Jan
I hope the information might possibly help someone. You're welcome.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (186221)
• Boise, Idaho
17 Jan
@MarieCoyle .......That is good of you.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (83510)
• United States
15 Jan
Thankfully, my anxiety doesn’t bother me all the time anymore. I need to talk to my therapist next month about the time of year when it does bother me, and figure out a way to “accept” it instead of trying to fight it (which probably makes it worse).
I’ll stick some lemon juice in the fridge to suck on, though, just in case.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55456)
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15 Jan
I am glad it doesn’t bother you as often now. That’s a good idea to work around the time of year that it hits hard. While I am glad not to have either one, I am sorry that you and some others have had to deal with it. I know it must be hard for so many!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55456)
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17 Jan
It's worth a try, it is a lot better than having yet one more pill to swallow!
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (94870)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
14 Jan
I was always helped by Valerian root drops but I would not mind trying this, I will get some sour candy and keep it onhand. Since I don't have any of this candy right now I checked online and even lemon juice can help and I have lemon concentrate I add to my iced tea sot I guess I am set for now,
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55456)
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15 Jan
Yes, I think the sour tastes are what triggers it to help people, by distraction. I hope it works for you!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55456)
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17 Jan
I had heard that. I am sure there is still a lot to be learned about the human body and what causes diseases and conditions, too.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (118822)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
15 Jan
It is a good idea to pop a sour candy to distract the mind when we have panic attacks.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (118822)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
15 Jan
@MarieCoyle You are welcome.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (215266)
• United States
15 Jan
I don't have panic attacks; but I do get anxious a lot. Thanks for the tip.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (215266)
• United States
17 Jan
@MarieCoyle I'm a lifelong worrier. I do everyone else's worry for them. lol
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55456)
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18 Jan
@LindaOHio
You worry because you care, it’s not always a bad thing.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55456)
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17 Jan
I've never had a panic attack but they are terrible to watch when someone has one--it makes a person feel so helpless. I worry over the kids, life, etc. but I know it doesn't do any good--worry solves nothing, I usually try to just keep myself busy and work through the worry. I hope it can help your anxiety, Linda.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55456)
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17 Jan
Planes don't bother me as much as packed elevators do. I hate it when there is standing room only and everyone is packed in the elevator like sardines in a can!
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (83325)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
15 Jan
It is an interesting theroy that does make sense.
1 person likes this
