Chinese Adults Using Pacifiers for Stress and Anxiety Relief

Adult-sized pacifiers are surprisingly gaining popularity in China, emerging as a unique wellness trend. Online retailers are reporting substantial sales, with thousands of these products sold each month. Users are touting various benefits, including stress relief and improved sleep quality.

The silicone pacifiers, priced between $1.40 and $70, are being marketed to adults for a range of purposes. These include aiding in breathing, assisting individuals in quitting smoking, and enhancing concentration. Some users even claim they help in managing conditions like ADHD.

One user expressed their feelings by stating, “I experience a sense of safety from childhood when I use it, ”highlighting the emotional support some feel from these items. Others have reported that the pacifiers contribute to faster sleep onset during stressful periods.

“When I’m under pressure at work, I suck on the dummy, ” another customer shared.“I feel indulged in a sense of safety from childhood.”

The growth in popularity of these pacifiers is evident on Chinese e-commerce platforms, with some sellers claiming monthly sales exceeding 2, 000 units. Recently, they have also made an appearance in TikTok videos in the United States, generating a mix of support and ridicule.

Adult-sized pacifiers priced up to $70 are growing in popularity in China as a way to relieve stress and anxiety. Some shops claim they sell over 2, 000 a month pic.twitter.com/E14heBqu40

— dexerto (@dexerto) August 13, 2025

Health Considerations and Warnings

Despite their growing popularity, health professionals are sounding alarms regarding the long-term and improper use of adult pacifiers. Dr. Tang Caomin, a dentist, emphasized that these products might cause bite misalignment, strain on jaw joints, affect breathing patterns, and create suffocation risks if used during sleep.

Dr. Caomin pointed out, “The potential damage to customers’ mouths caused by these pacifiers is often downplayed by sellers.” He further warned that prolonged use, specifically over three hours a day, could lead to tooth misalignment over a year.

This trend follows the 2024 rise of viral dopamine menus on TikTok, which provided various strategies for managing ADHD and depression effectively.

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