In recent years, the trend of eating chalk has gained significant attention on social media, according to Vox. Similar to many unusual trends, videos showcasing people chewing and crunching on chalk have gone viral, captivating audiences worldwide. These acts are frequently featured in ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) videos, which aim to invoke a sensory response, such as a tingling sensation, through specific sounds.
However, consuming chalk is not merely a tactic to gain more views on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. For some individuals, this behavior may indicate an actual eating disorder known as pica (referenced by Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences). Those afflicted with pica have an uncontrollable craving to consume non-food substances that typically lack nutritional value. Common examples of these inedible items include clay, starch, ice, and chalk (as noted by the International Journal of Homoeopathic Sciences). People may even desire potentially dangerous objects like glass, metal, paint, and pebbles.
Although pica has been affecting individuals for centuries, it remains a relatively enigmatic disorder (as mentioned by Cureus). Scientists have yet to fully understand its complex etiology. Here are some insights into what is known about pica and its possible causes.
The role of nutritional deficiencies
Certain researchers suggest that a peculiar appetite for chalk may arise from nutritional or mineral deficiencies (as stated by the International Journal of Homoeopathic Sciences). For instance, individuals may have low levels of iron or zinc. A study published in the American Journal of Human Biology revealed that over 6,000 participants linked their pica-like behaviors to depleted red blood cell counts or reduced zinc levels in their bloodstream.
This hypothesis might explain why pica symptoms are particularly prevalent among pregnant women, affecting around 68% of expectant mothers in the U.S. It’s believed that anemia during pregnancy is the primary factor behind unusual non-food cravings like chalk. In some regions, folklore leads women to believe that non-food substances like chalk have nutritional benefits, leading to cravings (as referenced by Nursing Open). However, in reality, consuming inedible items can often result in gastrointestinal issues and constipation and may even worsen conditions like anemia.
Your mental health could be to blame
Some individuals find comfort in eating, biting, or crunching on items as a way to cope with difficult emotions (as noted by Cureus). In certain cases of pica, patients compulsively chew on ice as a means of dealing with psychological stressors in their lives. Gnawing on chalk may serve as a similar coping mechanism, consciously or subconsciously employed to alleviate feelings of anxiety and discomfort.
Evidence suggests that pica can sometimes result from past negative experiences and trauma (as detailed by Psychiatric Times). For instance, it’s often observed in individuals who have experienced abuse, neglect, or other psychological stressors during childhood. When a child feels unsafe with little parental comfort and a sense of insecurity, they may resort to eating non-food items as a way to meet their care needs (as mentioned by the Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings).
It’s not uncommon for the condition to manifest in individuals struggling with mental health disorders such as depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder (as noted by Cureus). This may explain why pica is prevalent among pregnant women, as many expectant mothers experience psychological challenges like stress, anxiety, or depressive symptoms (as referenced by Trends in Psychology). The most common form of pica during pregnancy is ice-eating, also known as pagophagia, and women generally report feeling satisfied after engaging in pica behaviors.
If you or someone you know requires mental health assistance, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website.
The link between pica and neurodevelopmental issues
A neurodevelopmental condition, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is identified as a significant risk factor for pica (according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Among preschool-aged children with ASD, the prevalence of pica is estimated to be about 28% in those with a co-occurring intellectual disability (ID) and 14% in children without an ID.
Individuals with autism often consume and show an appetite for unusual substances such as chalk, pebbles, and plastic objects, among others, as noted by the National Autistic Society. This behavior might stem from difficulties in processing sensory information. For example, individuals with autism may be hypersensitive to sensory input, making them overreactive to specific textures or tastes, while others may be hypo-sensitive, meaning they are underreactive. Both responses can lead to sensory-seeking behaviors, potentially manifesting as pica, especially when an individual feels emotionally dysregulated. For some, the behavior might be soothing and comforting. Others might simply enjoy the sensation of eating or chewing on an inedible item like chalk.
Wanting to eat chalk could be the result of food insecurity
Certain researchers have discovered that the threat of food scarcity can lead to various forms of disordered eating, including pica behaviors (as reported by the Journal of Agriculture and Food Research). Pica tends to be more prevalent in low-income countries, where individuals experience higher levels of food insecurity, food restriction, malnutrition, and hunger compared to other regions. The lack of access to and affordability of nutrient-rich foods can have notably detrimental effects on individuals’ physical, emotional, social, and cognitive well-being.
In pregnant women, food insecurity increases the risk of various issues like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, stress, and fetal birth defects. It can also result in restrictive eating, which, alongside the various hormonal and physical changes that occur during pregnancy, can trigger pica. Additionally, consuming certain inedible substances may serve as an appetite suppressant or filler for individuals who lack sufficient food (as mentioned by African Health Sciences). This is believed to be one reason why the consumption of earth is sometimes observed in people with anorexia.
On the other hand, some studies suggest that the association between pica and high food insecurity is weak and requires further investigation to be fully understood (as reported by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health).
Is eating chalk dangerous?
Consuming non-food substances like chalk can be relatively harmless, especially if ingested in small quantities (as mentioned by Nursing Open). However, regular consumption of inedible items can lead to gastrointestinal problems, blocked intestines, micronutrient imbalances, transmission of parasites, and heavy metal poisoning (such as lead). In severe cases, pica could even result in death (as reported by The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology).
Chalk is generally considered non-toxic, which is why it is safe for children to play with and even put in their mouths (in moderation), according to Babygaga.
A study published in the World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research found that consuming calabash chalk – a type of clay – is a common practice in parts of Africa, such as Nigeria. This habit often arises among pregnant women, as it is believed to help alleviate nausea. However, calabash chalk contains both lead and arsenic, which are harmful to the brain. These chemicals can cause cognitive dysfunction and decline if ingested in large quantities over an extended period. The researchers discovered that eating calabash chalk can negatively impact health in various ways, causing gastrointestinal damage or anemic effects. It can also affect neuronal activities in the body, increasing the perception of pain and anxiety, which could be symptoms of lead and arsenic poisoning.
Is eating chalk accepted in some cultures?
Pica is not always considered an eating disorder. In some parts of the world, the consumption of non-food items is a culturally and socially accepted phenomenon (as noted by African Health Sciences). For example, eating clay, earth, or soil – medically termed as geophagia – is not uncommon in certain regions of Africa, such as Tanzania, sub-Saharan Africa, and the Transkei region of South Africa. Geophagia was also documented in ancient Greek and Roman texts and has been reported in some southern parts of the United States.
Eating chalk, in particular, may be a feature of religious ceremonial rituals in some communities (as mentioned by Social Work in Public Health). According to a study conducted on Mfangano Island in Kenya, around 25.6% of women reported consuming a chalky, rock-like material called odowa (as reported by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health).
The ingestion of kaolin, known as white dirt, white clay, or chalk, has also been widely noted by physicians in a rural area of Georgia, specifically the central Piedmont region (as referenced by the Southern Medical Journal). Little is known about the origin of this behavior, but based on anecdotal reports, some individuals in Georgia consume chalk simply because they enjoy the taste (as mentioned by the New Georgia Encyclopedia). It is often extracted directly from the earth, but it can also be purchased from certain stores, where it is sometimes packaged as fresh produce. However, the labels typically state: “Not suggested for human consumption.”
How is pica diagnosed?
The diagnosis of pica is made through a clinical history of the individual, according to the National Eating Disorders Association. The assessment may also include tests for anemia, toxicity, and other side effects of ingesting non-food substances. This could involve items such as chalk, cloth, soap, paper, baby powder, and eggshells (as noted by StatPearls Publishing).
According to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), symptoms must have persisted for at least a month to receive a diagnosis of pica, and these should not be part of a socially or culturally accepted practice (as stated by StatPearls Publishing). Children under the age of two are generally not diagnosed with pica, as eating and chewing foreign objects is often considered a normal part of infant development.
Pica is often not diagnosed until it leads to significant medical issues such as infections or damaged teeth, according to Beat – an eating disorders charity based in the UK. The condition can affect individuals’ lives for many years, particularly those with mental health and intellectual challenges, and it can lead to severe health consequences if not addressed (as reported by StatPearls Publishing).
How is pica treated?
If blood tests reveal a nutritional deficiency as the cause of your behaviors, your doctor may suggest nutritional treatment, according to the National Eating Disorders Association. This might involve supplements or a specific diet plan to rectify nutritional imbalances.
A study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders found that an intensive behavioral intervention can effectively treat pica in children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The interventions varied slightly for different individuals but generally included physically preventing the child from consuming non-food objects by shadowing and restraining them, redirecting them to alternative activities, and rewarding them for discarding inappropriate objects instead of eating them. The findings showed a diminishing and eventual cessation of pica behaviors over time.
If chalk-eating is closely linked to another mental health condition like obsessive-compulsive disorder, medication may be prescribed (as referenced by CNS Spectrums). While no specific drugs are available for pica, antipsychotic medications like Olanzapine have been shown to reduce cravings and diminish impulses and urges. Success rates for pica interventions vary (as mentioned by StatPearls Publishing). The disorder may sometimes resolve on its own, such as in pregnant women and children, but it can also persist for many years. Early detection can facilitate timely intervention to manage the disorder. If you have been craving or consuming non-food items, reach out to your doctor to discuss your symptoms and explore available support options.
