Ever seen anybody munching on Sand, Paper, Metals, or even Soap ? Here is an idea on what's wrong

Okay, now, quick scenerio here alright, let assume you walk into your friend's house and bam!!! you catch them munching on uhm … let's say chalk. You pause, maybe blink a few times, trying to process what you just saw and ask, "Is that chalk you’re eating?" Then they look at you, smile, and say, "Yup! It's delicious." Yeah right, you know what, that is **[Pica](https://g.co/kgs/AsyCW2X)** right there , a condition that makes people crave and eat things that, basically aren’t food. Let’s find out more on this so called PICA since it now has a name ------  ^{Image by Richard Reid from Pixabay} ------ So, what exactly is **Pica**? Well **Pica** is a condition where people feel the urge to eat non-food items. And I’m not talking about the occasional weird craving for something salty or sweet. Nope, people with Pica crave things like dirt, paper, soap, and even metal. Basically, if it’s not meant to be eaten, someone with Pica might give it a try. Now, you might be thinking, "Why on earth would anyone want to eat dirt or chalk?" Well, that’s what makes Pica so interesting and a little bizarre. For people with this condition, these non-food items can seem as irresistible as your favorite snack. Pica can show up for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it’s linked to **nutritional deficiencies** like a lack of iron or zinc, so the body starts craving odd things as a way to make up for it. In other cases, it might be connected to **mental health conditions** like **[obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)](https://g.co/kgs/5HRjiyD)** or **[developmental disorders](https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/children-s-health-issues/learning-and-developmental-disorders/definition-of-developmental-disorders)** such as **[autism](https://g.co/kgs/Q4i1Umo)**. Pregnant women sometimes experience Pica, too, thanks to those wild pregnancy cravings. One other interesting and less sciency way to think of Pica is your brain playing a prank on your taste buds. Instead of saying, "Let’s have a sandwich," it goes, "How about some nice, crunchy ice cubes? Or maybe a handful of sand?" Talk about april fool when it ain't even april. **What do people with Pica eat ?** Lets find out ------  ^{Image by Ryan McGuire from Pixabay} ------ The list of non-food items is surprisingly long and strange. Dirt, chalk, paper, ice, soap, and even metal make the cut. Yes, some people enjoy a nice mouthful of soil, as if they’re a plant. And remember when your teacher would write on the board? Someone with Pica might have been eyeing that chalk like a pack of candy. Yeah and if you ever thought about eating your homework? People with Pica actually do! Ice is pretty common, and it’s called **[pagophagia](https://g.co/kgs/mVutd1z)**. It might seem harmless, but it can signal an iron deficiency. Forget about washing your mouth out with soap, some people just eat it! Everybody knows forks and spoons might be for eating food, but for some with Pica, they just become the main course. You see, while this condition might sound amusing, Pica can actually be dangerous. Eating non-food items can lead to **blockages** in the intestines, **toxic poisoning**, or **damage to the teeth** and **gums**. Plus, depending on what’s being consumed, it can cause serious health issues. ### What is the good new? ------  ^{Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay} ------ Well, the good news is, Pica is treatable, yayyyy!!! . Yeah, doctors usually start by checking for any nutritional deficiencies and addressing those first. They might also recommend **therapy** to help manage the cravings, especially if they’re linked to mental health conditions. Over time, with the right support, many people with Pica can overcome their cravings for the inedible. Pica is one of those conditions that makes you stop and say, "Wait, what?" It’s weird, it’s fascinating, and it’s without a doubt remind us of how complex and weird our bodies and brains can be. So, the next time you see someone eyeing a piece of chalk or a bar of soap, don’t judge, you can look, but don't judge , lol because they might just be dealing with Pica and now you know all about this curious condition! ***So what do you think about pica ?***