Adults Are Now Using Pacifiers To Relieve Stress; Does It Really Help?

A new trend has recently emerged, originating in China and now gaining popularity around the globe: adults using pacifiers. Yes, you read that right! Something once associated only with infants is now becoming increasingly common among adults. But why this sudden shift?

The reason lies in the excessive stress and burnout young adults are experiencing. Behind the dreamy office life lies a harsher reality that many employees face: unrealistic deadlines, ineffective yet frequent meetings, rigid office hierarchies, low increments, monotonous tasks, and a complete lack of work-life balance.

Many are often reprimanded for requesting holidays or fewer working hours. Young employees in the workforce are frequently overlooked for major projects, with their lack of experience cited as the reason.

The Rise Of Frequent Burnouts In The Workplace

The recession has further intensified workplace exhaustion, as people continue to work tirelessly for minimal pay. Most are burdened by the realities of bills, rent, EMIs, and insurance, yet they remain stuck in jobs that offer little financial reward. Studies show only 32% of workers are engaged, while half or more have quiet quitter tendencies. With endless deadlines and little to no ways of rejuvenation, many corporate professionals are searching for new ways to relax. 

In the past, a quick smoking break was often the go-to stress reliever. According to multiple studies, people tend to smoke to relieve their anxiety. The studies also further stated that women smoke mainly due to relationship struggles or work imbalance. Now, to avoid the hazardous nicotine, some are turning to the trendier option, pacifiers!

Pacifiers have long been a common tool parents use to calm and comfort infants and toddlers. While they can provide temporary relief, concerns remain about the potential long-term effects of prolonged use on cognitive development. Studies suggest that prolonged pacifier use can negatively impact language outcomes in infants and toddlers, particularly during the first few years of life, a critical period for language development.

According to a report by The Cover, these silicone or rubber pacifiers are being sold on e-commerce platforms for anywhere between 10 and 500 yuan (roughly ₹120 to ₹6,000). Sold as an adult version of the baby product, it promises stress relief and better sleep. Some online sellers claim to have moved over 2,000 units in just one month.

Experts Warn of Health Risks

As this Chinese trend spreads globally, dentists are sounding the alarm. Prolonged pacifier use in adults can lead to misaligned teeth, infections, speech problems, jaw strain, and even airway obstruction if used during sleep. By sucking the pacifier for more than three hours a day, the position of your teeth might change after a year. It may feel like a quick fix, but it doesn’t resolve the root problem; it only masks it.

Many psychologists have also voiced concerns that this trend might encourage people to go for quick fixes instead of addressing the root cause of the stress. Healthier alternatives for managing stress include chewing gum, journaling, using stress-relief balls, eating magnesium-rich foods, and practising meditation or yoga.