Credit: @skysaferian/TikTok
‘Gleeking’ Is A Gross Human Function That People Don’t Realize They Can Do
‘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.
In reality, gleeking is far more common than you might think, even if most people don’t realize there’s actually a name for it.
The unusual reaction typically happens without warning, often catching people off guard in the middle of something as ordinary as eating, yawning, or even brushing their teeth.
Because it can feel sudden and a little strange, many people assume it’s something unusual or even something to be concerned about.
However, gleeking is simply a reflex involving the salivary glands under your tongue, and for some people, it can even be triggered deliberately once they learn how.
While it might not be the most glamorous party trick, it has sparked curiosity online in recent years, with people sharing their experiences and reactions to discovering they can do it.
Whether you find it fascinating or slightly gross, it’s one of those quirky human traits that highlights just how unpredictable our bodies can be.
The internet reacts to gleeking
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.”
Others, however, were more fascinated than horrified, with some admitting they had experienced it themselves without ever knowing what it was called.
A few even described it as a strange hidden talent, while others said they immediately tried to trigger it after finding out.
“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.”
What is gleeking and why has it gone viral?
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.
How to gleek
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.
This increased saliva production is key to triggering the reflex, as it creates pressure in the glands beneath the tongue, making it easier for the liquid to be expelled suddenly.
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.
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