Adult-Sized Pacifiers Selling for $70 Are Becoming China’s Latest Stress and Anxiety Trend—Here’s Why People Are Obsessed
Every so often, a new trend emerges that catches everyone off guard—not because it’s high-tech or revolutionary, but because it feels so unexpected. In China, the latest craze isn’t a gadget, a fitness routine, or even a food fad. It’s something most people associate only with babies: pacifiers. Except, these ones aren’t for children—they’re for adults. And they’re not just novelty items; they’re being marketed and used as genuine tools for stress relief, anxiety management, and even insomnia.
Priced at up to $70 each, adult-sized pacifiers have been making waves across social media platforms, particularly on Rednote, a Chinese lifestyle and trends-sharing site where influencers and everyday users document their experiences. They come in all sorts of designs—glittery pinks, bold patterns, minimalistic neutrals—transforming what once seemed purely juvenile into something fashionably quirky. For many, the draw is not just about the product itself but the feelings it evokes. Users say there’s a strange comfort in holding something between their lips, in having that soft, familiar pressure that, for a lot of people, taps into childhood memories of safety and calm.
Some have embraced these pacifiers as part of their nightly wind-down routine. One young woman described how she initially bought one as a joke, but after trying it during a stressful work week, she found herself reaching for it every night. She swears it helps her fall asleep faster and feel less restless. Others claim it helps with nervous habits like lip-biting or teeth grinding, giving their mouths something else to focus on. For smokers trying to quit, some say it satisfies the oral fixation without triggering cravings.
This trend hasn’t come without its share of criticism and concern, particularly from medical professionals. Dentists warn about potential jaw misalignment, tooth movement, and even gum problems if pacifiers are used excessively over long periods. Some psychologists also note that while the soothing effect might be real, it may act as a temporary distraction rather than addressing the underlying causes of stress or anxiety. Still, they acknowledge that small comfort objects can play a helpful role in emotional self-regulation, especially during high-pressure times.
What’s fascinating about this trend is how it fits into a bigger picture of how young adults in China—and across the world—are navigating mental health challenges. In many cultures, people are searching for accessible, non-medication-based ways to manage daily stress. Weighted blankets, fidget spinners, stress balls, and aromatherapy oils have all had their moment. Adult pacifiers are simply the newest addition to this ever-growing list of tools people use to self-soothe. The difference here is the blend of nostalgia and novelty.
The fact that these pacifiers have become somewhat of a status item also plays into their popularity. With prices ranging from budget-friendly to nearly luxury-level, some people treat them like fashion accessories, showing them off in social media posts, coordinating their colors with their outfits, or even customizing them with charms and rhinestones. The $70 price tag isn’t necessarily because the materials are expensive—it’s the branding, design, and influencer-driven hype that push certain models into the premium range.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time adult pacifiers have popped up in mainstream culture. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, they were part of rave culture in the West, where people used them during long nights of dancing to prevent teeth grinding and jaw tension from certain stimulant drugs. Today’s revival is different—it’s tied less to party culture and more to personal wellness, relaxation, and mental health.
Whether this is a short-lived fad or a lasting wellness product remains to be seen. Trends driven by social media can burn out quickly, especially when novelty is the main appeal. But if the stress-relief benefits people are reporting hold up, it’s possible that adult pacifiers will settle into a niche market, much like weighted blankets did after their viral moment.
The broader conversation this sparks is just as interesting as the trend itself. Why are so many people seeking comfort in objects that replicate childhood experiences? For some, it’s about reclaiming a sense of innocence in a fast-paced, often overwhelming adult world. For others, it’s simply about finding what works for them, regardless of how unconventional it might look to others.
As with most wellness tools, the key will be balance. Using an adult pacifier occasionally as a relaxation aid is unlikely to cause harm for most people, but it’s worth paying attention to oral health and listening to professional advice. For now, though, this glittery, pastel-colored accessory is making waves, and in a world full of constant pressure, maybe it’s not so strange that people are turning to something as simple as a pacifier for a little peace.
