Salivary conditioning

Salivary conditioning is a psychological process where the body's automatic response of salivation becomes linked to a new stimulus through learning. For example, if someone repeatedly hears a specific sound before eating, their salivary glands may start to produce saliva just by hearing that sound alone, even without food present. This occurs because the brain associates the sound with the upcoming meal, activating the salivary response. It’s a form of classical conditioning that reflects how our physiological responses can be shaped by learned associations, demonstrating how sensory cues can influence bodily functions automatically.