At first glance, the sight of an adult with a pacifier may raise eyebrows. Long associated with babies, pacifiers are now being reimagined for grown-ups, not as a novelty, but as tools for stress relief, sensory regulation, and even self-expression.
From wellness communities to Instagram trends, adult pacifiers are quietly carving out a space in global lifestyle conversations.
Expert views: Relief or risk?
The concept is not entirely new. In therapeutic settings, oral soothing tools, including chewable jewellery, sensory straws, and pacifier-like devices, have long been recommended for adults with autism, ADHD, or sensory processing disorders. They help regulate emotions, reduce anxiety, and provide a calming oral fixation.
Reshma D’Souza, consulting psychologist & psychotherapist, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai, says, “Adult pacifiers might feel calming, but they’re not a real fix. Dentists warn they can strain your jaw or shift your teeth. They can sometimes help in the daytime for things like curbing smoking urges or easing ADHD symptoms but they should be used with caution. Healthier ways to handle stress include mindfulness, journalling, therapy, or even just chewing gum.”
The idea of adults using pacifiers is debatable. Dentists caution that frequent, long-term use could affect teeth alignment or jaw health.
Psychologists also stress the importance of differentiating between healthy coping strategies and avoidance behaviours.
Pacifiers can temporarily soothe stress, but are they used as a tool or as a crutch?
From therapy to trend
In recent years, adult pacifiers have moved beyond clinical use and into mainstream wellness and lifestyle. Online retailers list thousands of designs, ranging from minimalist silicone options marketed for stress relief, to ornate, jewel-encrusted pacifiers sold as fashion accessories. Some brands highlight their utility for smokers trying to quit, or for those battling nighttime teeth grinding.
On social media, especially Instagram, #adultpacifier has gathered millions of views, often featuring influencers who use pacifiers as a quirky, anti-stress accessory during long workdays, gaming marathons, or travel.
Adult pacifiers are a consumer phenomenon in China. These are being marketed for purposes ranging from easing stress to aiding sleep. The silicone and rubber products in recent months have bombarded e-commerce platforms. These products, designed to fit the mouths of grown-ups, are considerably larger than their infant counterparts. The nipple is transparent, while the shield can be found in a range of colours. Prices range from as little as $2 to as much as $70, marketed variously for stress, sleep, or simple relaxation.
These are also part of identity and community. Certain subcultures, including age regression and ABDL (adult baby/diaper lover) communities, have embraced them for years as symbols of comfort, role-play, and escapism. What was once underground is now edging into the open, as conversations around mental health and non-traditional coping mechanisms become more normalised.
What adult pacifiers ultimately represent is a broader cultural shift toward reclaiming comfort without shame. In a world where burnout, overstimulation, and digital fatigue are widespread, adults are reaching for tactile, soothing objects once reserved for childhood. Whether it’s weighted blankets, colouring books, plush toys, or pacifiers, the message is clear: comfort has no age limit.
As one user on the social media adult pacifier community wrote, “It’s not about being childish. It’s about giving yourself permission to relax.”
The rise of such stress busters also reflects growing anxieties across societies. In South Korea, for example, a “mock prison” has welcomed more than 2,000 stressed-out office workers and students since 2013. Guests pay about $90 to spend 24-48 hours in a 54-square-foot cell, wearing prison uniforms, eating simple meals, and surrendering their phones and clocks. For many, the experience of forced solitude brings more relief than a holiday.
Meals are simple, including rice porridge for breakfast, steamed sweet potato, and a banana shake for dinner, delivered through a slot in the door to minimise interaction.
In an age of burnout and overstimulation, people are reclaiming comfort wherever they can find it. For some, that means meditation or yoga. For others, it’s as simple as reaching for a pacifier, proof that stress relief, like comfort itself, has no age limit.