‘Gleeking’ is a gross human function that many people have no idea they can do.
Although you may not have come across the term before, it may be something you’ve unintentionally done at some point in your life.
Despite it being a natural phenomenon, some people consider it disgusting or embarrassing.
After learning what gleeking is, one person writes: “Y’all, have you ever heard of gleeking? I am traumatized.”
Another adds: “It might be the worst thing I’ve ever witnessed.”
“I just found out what gleeking is on TikTok and wow keep that s*** to yourself, I don’t wanna see that,” comments a third.
Gleeking began trending on TikTok after a doctor insisted that while you may not be able to at first, you can train yourself to gleek on command.
In a viral video, @therealtiktokdoc claims: “35 percent of the population can do it but only one percent can do it on command.”
Before diving into gleeking, let’s break down why it happens.
There are three major salivary glands: the parotid glands (in front of and below your ears), sublingual glands (right below your tongue), and submandibular glands (below your jaw).
According to Health, gleeking occurs when your tongue applies pressure to the glands under your tongue that make saliva.
Saliva is important, as the Cleveland Clinic explains: “It kickstarts digestion, helps you chew and swallow food, and protects your teeth.”
The unique way of spitting normally happens accidentally when you eat, talk, or yawn.
Although most healthcare providers will have heard of it, it has no official medical term and it’s basically ‘pretty useless.’
As it is purposeless, you’ll probably only use the unusual talent to disgust your friends or get a few laughs.
Still, if you’re curious, there is a way to try to do it on command.
Steven Morgano, DMD, chair of the Department of Restorative Dentistry at the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, and Mark S. Wolff, DDS, Ph.D., dean of the School of Dental Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, have helped share four steps.
Firstly, Dr. Wolff advises eating something sour, as evidence suggests foods such as tart cherries, kimchi, or vinegar, can stimulate the salivary glands. wikiHow also advises you to drink some water to moisturize your mouth.
Next, push your tongue out of your mouth and lift it. Then curl the tongue back so it rests behind your top teeth.
Finally, tense your tongue muscles to squeeze the sublingual gland.
Dr. Wolff insists: “Everyone can [gleek].”
Can you Gleek on command? Let us know in the comments.
