Adult pacifiers are suddenly enjoying a resurgence and trend, appearing on social media and in wellness conversations everywhere. The adult pacifier is now on the cheeky, possibly somewhat dubious, peripheries of the adult lifestyle space and attracting attention as an unusual combination of comfort, stress relief, and novelty. Despite the potentially strange connotation, people have reported that using an adult pacifier has helped with anxiety, focus, and bad habits like nail-biting or teeth clenching.
Psychologists attribute the rise of adult pacifiers to a growing need for coping mechanisms in our fast-paced, stress-filled lives. Similar to fidget spinners or stress balls, adult pacifiers provide a sensory diversion that calms the mind. Whether chewing or sucking, the repeating actions stimulate calming feelings in the brain, which links to feelings of comfort in childhood, and lower tension in our bodies. For many, it’s even becoming an odd lifestyle choice, part self-care, part playful rejection of being a “grown-up”.
Many of these adult pacifier products and discussions are finding a home in social media, namely TikTok and Instagram–with influencer videos showing them using a pacifier, their connections to mental health, and their use when relaxing. It’s become very viral. There are even brands making pacifiers geared toward adult use, focusing on style and durability.
Critics have had their say too, suggesting that this fad could contribute to normalizing regressing, or worse still, create dental problems if used too much. However, to many it’s another harmless way to unwind under stress.
