The wellness industry has witnessed countless trends promising stress relief and mental health benefits, from meditation apps to fidget spinners. Now, a surprising new phenomenon is capturing attention across social media platforms: adults are turning to pacifiers as their latest coping mechanism.
What began as a niche trend in China has quickly gained momentum on Chinese e-commerce platforms, where retailers report remarkable sales figures. According to sources, some sellers claim to move more than 2,000 units monthly.
These aren’t typical baby pacifiers repurposed for adult use. Manufacturers have created adult-sized versions specifically marketed for grown-up consumers, with prices ranging from as low as $1.40 to premium options costing up to $70. The silicone products are being promoted for various therapeutic purposes, including breathing assistance, smoking cessation support, and concentration enhancement.
The appeal seems to tap into something deeply psychological. Users describe experiencing profound emotional comfort through this practice. “When I am under pressure at work, I suck on the dummy,” one customer explained. “I feel I am indulged in a sense of safety from childhood.” This sentiment of returning to childhood security appears to be a common thread among users, with many reporting that the pacifiers help them fall asleep faster and manage daily anxieties.
The trend has begun crossing cultural boundaries, appearing in TikTok videos across the United States. However, the reception has been mixed, generating both supportive testimonials from users who credit the devices with improving their mental health and skeptical reactions from others who question the practice.
Some advocates have connected adult pacifier use to managing conditions such as ADHD, positioning them alongside other wellness tools that gained popularity on social media platforms. This aligns with broader conversations about alternative stress management techniques and self-soothing strategies that have dominated mental health discussions online.
Yet medical professionals are raising important concerns about this emerging trend. Dr Tang Caomin, a dentist who has studied the phenomenon, warns about potential health risks associated with prolonged use. The doctor cautions that adult pacifiers could lead to bite misalignment, jaw joint strain, breathing difficulties, and even suffocation risks during sleep.
“The potential damage to customers’ mouths by the pacifiers is intentionally played down by their sellers,” Dr Caomin stated, highlighting a disconnect between marketing claims and medical reality. The doctor specifically noted that using these devices for more than three hours daily could result in teeth repositioning within a year of regular use.
This medical perspective raises questions about the safety of turning to unconventional stress-relief methods without proper medical guidance. While the psychological comfort users describe may be genuine, the physical implications deserve serious consideration.
This trend will likely face increased scrutiny from both medical professionals and consumer safety advocates. Whether adult pacifiers will join the ranks of lasting wellness tools or fade as quickly as they appeared remains to be seen.