A study suggests imaginary chewing and swallowing of specific food can reduce cravings for that food.

Imaginary eating may be able to stop food cravings, according to a 2010 Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh study. Participants who imagined themselves chewing and swallowing either chocolate candies or pieces of cheese were less likely to report wanting to actually consume the foods afterward.

Researchers believe this may be due to habituation, a psychological process in which the brain becomes less interested in behavior after repeated exposure. For example, the last bite of a food is typically not as pleasurable as the first. Therefore, imagining one’s self chewing and swallowing a portion of food may give the brain the exposure it needs to become used to the food and thus, not as interested in eating it.

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