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Who could forget those days when we just got home from school and only a PB&J sandwich was waiting for us on the table? Sadly, not everyone is fond of this memory, and for some, the thought of peanut butter alone is already too much. But why is this so?

Arachibutyrophobia is the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of someone's mouth. Getting peanut butter or any sticky food stuck to the roof of the mouth can be extremely irritating. And while many people will forget about it as soon as they clear it out, this experience may induce panic in some cases.

Other underlying factors

Arachibutyrophobia is a specific phobia, which means it is a type of anxiety disorder that causes a person extreme panic when exposed to peanut butter. However, most people with arachibutyrophobia do not necessarily fear peanut butter itself, but they are likely to cringe at the thought of it and avoid it completely.

In a lot of cases, the fear of peanut butter stems from a fear of choking. It may have been from an unpleasant experience where they once choked on peanut butter or something with a similar texture that caused them to develop this fear.

In some cases, arachibutyrophobia is due to a peanut allergy, which could be life-threatening. This fear is also common in other people who have difficulty swallowing.

Treatment

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a recommended treatment for arachibutyrophobia. It helps a person talk through their fear and whatever may be causing it with an expert. Aside from that, professionals also recommend exposure therapy, a common method for the treatment of various phobias.