In a trend that’s raising eyebrows and sparking heated debates online, young adults in China are turning to an unexpected childhood comfort item — pacifiers — as their latest weapon against stress and anxiety.

What started as a quirky social media challenge has now exploded into a full-blown lifestyle fad. Cafés, office lounges, and even public transport are seeing more and more professionals popping a pacifier into their mouths as a way to “disconnect from the chaos” and reclaim a moment of peace.

The craze is so widespread that high-end “designer pacifiers” are now being sold at premium prices, marketed as the ultimate anti-stress accessory. Influencers swear by them, claiming the gentle sucking motion soothes nerves, reduces tension, and provides a nostalgic sense of security.

Critics, however, are calling it an “infantilization of society,” while mental health experts warn against relying on such habits as a primary coping mechanism. But love it or hate it, this odd yet fascinating phenomenon shows no signs of slowing down — and might just be the most bizarre wellness trend of the year.

Would you dare to try it? Or is this one step too far in the search for calm?