October is ADHD Awareness Month (1 to 31 October 2026), so it feels like the right time to talk about something lots of us do but rarely mention: chewing. Pen lids. Hoodie strings. The inside of your cheek in a long meeting. The corner of your sleeve on the train home.
If that sounds familiar, you're far from alone. We hear from adults every week who have chewed for as long as they can remember. Some were only diagnosed with ADHD recently, and now they're wondering whether the two are connected.
You're not the only one
Chewing is a type of stimming, short for self-stimulating behaviour. The National Autistic Society points out that many people stim, autistic and non-autistic. Playing with a pen, twirling your hair and tapping all count. It lists chewing objects among the common forms. The Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) describes stimming as part of living with ADHD, and gives chewing on your pens when you're anxious as an everyday example.
So if you've been told off for chewing, or quietly felt embarrassed about it, it may help to know how common it is.
Why chewing?
There isn't one neat answer, and it's different for everyone. ADDA says a single reason can't explain stimming, and that it's likely linked to how the ADHD brain works. It often shows up in situations that ask you to sit still, pay attention or manage your emotions.
In real life, people often tell us it happens in two quite different moments:
- When things are dull. A long spreadsheet, a slow meeting or a tedious form. Chewing gives you something to do while you stay with the task.
- When things are too much. A noisy office, a crowded train or a stressful day. Chewing can feel steadying.
Occupational therapists often describe chewing as "proprioceptive input", the pressure and resistance your jaw feels when you bite down. US chew-tool maker ARK Therapeutic explains that this kind of input is grounding for a lot of people. That's why gum and pen-chewing are so common in stressful situations.
When chewing starts to cause problems
The need to chew is valid. What you chew on can still cause problems. Common ones we hear about:
- sore, broken skin around the nails and fingers
- sleeves, collars and hoodie strings chewed to pieces
- pen lids and plastic that crack and splinter
- feeling self-conscious about chewing in front of other people
The National Autistic Society's advice on stims that cause harm is helpful here. Rather than just trying to stop, it suggests finding a safe alternative that does the same job for you. That's the thinking behind every Chewigem: not "stop chewing", but "chew on something made for it".
If chewing is causing you pain, or it's tied up with a lot of distress, please speak to your GP or dentist as well. A chew tool is a practical swap, not a replacement for proper support.
What to look for in a chew
A good chew for an adult usually ticks a few boxes:
- Made to be chewed. Choose something designed for mouths, not a random object.
- The right firmness. Too soft and it wears out fast. Too firm and it isn't satisfying. (Our chew strength guide goes into this in detail.)
- The right place. Round your neck, on your wrist, on a hoodie string or in your pocket, depending on where the urge hits.
- Discreet enough for you. Some people love a bold colour. Others want something that looks like ordinary jewellery.
Our adult-friendly options
Round your neck: The Jazz pendant has a smooth, glossy finish and a large hole that's perfect for your thumb. It's a firm favourite with thumb suckers, nail biters and hand chewers. The Realm Ring is springy and squishy, and you can fold it over for a tougher chew.
On your wrist: The Bonnie Bangle is one of our very first designs from 2011. It's smooth, flexible and satisfying to flip. The Bermuda Bangle blends in with everyday outfits and is easy to squeeze under the table. The Emotichew Bangle comes in adult and child sizes.
On your hoodie: Chubes were inspired by everyone who chomps on hoodie strings. Slip them onto the strings, or wear them on a cord.
In your pocket: The Pocket Sized Hand Fidget & Sensory Chew and our Worry Stones are for anyone who'd rather not wear anything at all.
Making it work day to day
- Keep it where the urge happens. That might be your desk, your bag or the car.
- Link it to your trigger moments. Reach for it at the start of meetings, while answering emails or on the commute.
- Have a spare. Everything wears eventually when it's chewed. We recommend throwing a chew away at the very first sign of wear, so a spare saves the day.
- Look after it. Follow the care instructions for your product, and check it regularly for nicks or tears.
- Chew the chew, not the cord. Cords and clasps aren't made for chewing.
- You don't owe anyone an explanation. If someone asks, "it helps me focus" is a complete answer.
Not sure where to start?
If you'd like to try a few styles, the Jazz pendant, the Realm Ring and the Bonnie Bangle work well together in one matching colour. That's two for your neck and one for your wrist, and you'll soon find out which suits you. If you're buying for someone else this ADHD Awareness Month, try something to wear, like the Bermuda bangle, something for the pocket, like the Pocket Hand Fidget, and something for the desk, like a Crown chew.
Or take our four-question "Find Your Perfect Chew" quiz on the Chewigem homepage, and we'll point you in the right direction.
However you chew, you're in good company.
Sources
- ADHD Awareness Month 2026 dates: Awareness Days, awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/adhd-awareness-month/
- National Autistic Society, "Repeated movements and behaviour (stimming)": autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/about-autism/repeated-movements-and-behaviour-stimming
- Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA), "ADHD Stimming: Why It Happens and How to Cope": add.org/stimming-adhd/
- ARK Therapeutic, "Why kids and adults chew on pencils and pens": arktherapeutic.com/blog/why-kids-and-adults-chew-on-pencils-and-pens/
- Product details: chewigem.com product pages (linked above)