In China, a new trend is reshaping adult coping culture and it’s not herbal tea, meditation apps, or plush toys. It’s adult-sized pacifiers. Once the domain of babies, these silicone soothers have found a surprising audience among stressed-out grown-ups looking for calm, better sleep, or even help quitting smoking.

Available on platforms like Taobao and JD.com for as little as 10 yuan ($1.40) and as much as 500 yuan ($70), they’re marketed with a wellness twist: stress relievers, sleep aids, even bite guards to prevent teeth grinding. Some users swear they help curb late-night snacking or silence a snoring partner. And they’re selling fast! According to South China Morning Post, top vendors are moving thousands every month.

The phenomenon has exploded on Chinese social media. On Sina Weibo, hashtags related to “adult pacifiers” have racked up over 68 million views. Douyin (China’s TikTok) is packed with short videos of young people unboxing, testing, and explaining why they’ve embraced the trend. The most popular pacifiers measure 4.5 centimeters—nearly twice the size of those for infants—and are designed for adult mouths.

For some, it’s about breaking a habit. A Douyin user credited the pacifier with stopping her constant snacking, claiming it even helped with weight loss. Another posted that it helped her finally quit smoking after years of failed attempts. Many describe the sensation as instantly calming, a tactile anchor in a chaotic day.

Is This A Use Of Regression As A Coping Mechanism?

Psychologists point to the “regression phenomenon” to explain why this works for some. When stress overwhelms, people may subconsciously revert to behaviors from an earlier, more secure stage of life. In infancy, sucking is a natural source of comfort and self-soothing. For adults, the pacifier becomes a symbolic return to a time without deadlines, bills, or complex emotional burdens.

“It feels like the safety of childhood,” one office worker wrote in an online review. That feeling can be powerful—especially in high-pressure work environments where people struggle to find moments of rest.

Is Any Medical Caution Needed?

Not everyone is convinced this is harmless. Dentists like Tang Caomin warn that prolonged use can shift teeth, limit jaw movement, and cause temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues. There’s also a risk of sleep disruption or choking if parts come loose during the night. Wang Xueling, director of stomatology at the Aerospace Center Hospital in Beijing, notes that while pacifiers can offer temporary emotional relief, they don’t address the underlying causes of stress.

Psychologist Zhang Mo is more direct: “The real solution is not to treat yourself as a child, but to face the challenge directly.”

This isn’t staying in China. On TikTok, American users have begun posting clips of themselves with adult pacifiers—in traffic, at work, or during intense moments of burnout. Some claim it helps with ADHD-related restlessness, while others admit it’s simply a private comfort they’ve used for years.

A commenter averred to having used pacifiers for 23 years, and another dismissed worries about dental effect: "It hasn't moved my teeth, been using them for 4 years." Nevertheless, critics propose alternatives such as chewing gum or lollipops to meet the same oral fixation without risking dental damage.

It's not just an object that the adult pacifier trend represents; it is what the object stands for. In the face of economic insecurity, social pressure, and constant digital overstimulation, small rituals that give control or comfort can become very attractive. For many, this has been a private rebellion against relentless productivity culture, reminding them that it's okay to need comfort-even if it looks unconventional.

Why Adults Are Reaching for Pacifiers?

The oral fixation and emotional regression psychology lies at the root of this phenomenon. Psychoanalytic theory has it that in the course of human development, the oral stage marks the earliest point. This is where sucking, eating, and all else related to the mouth takes precedence for comfort and bonding purposes. When adults experience stress beyond their coping ability, they may respond unconsciously by regressing to behaviors associated with this stage—behaviors that once consistently brought feelings of safety.

In today's language, this is a type of "self-soothing." Similar to chewing on a pen cap, biting one's nails, or drinking from a straw, pacifier use involves sensory pathways that quiet the nervous system. The rhythmic, repetitive motion can relax breathing, decelerate heart rate, and generate an inconspicuous feedback loop that communicates relaxation to the brain.

But there's an important difference between temporary relief and addiction. Whereas brief use may alleviate anxiety or cut addictive habits like smoking, heavy reliance on such aids can cover up underlying problems—long-term stress, sleep disorders, unresolved emotional trauma—that need more engaged solutions. Therapists warn that such behaviors are better understood as adjunctive coping strategies, not substitutes for solving core issues.

That is, the pacifier can get you through a long commute or a stressful meeting. But it won't address the situation that's causing you to need one in the first place. The true test—and challenge—are in figuring out how to introduce some of that same sense of security into your life without resorting to a silicone substitute.

Flu cases are on the rise and as of the January 3, 2026 data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 120,000 cases have been detected in clinical laboratories, apart from those detected in home tests. About 40,000 influenza cases were admitted to the hospital in the prior week and 17 influenza-related deaths reported in children, this season. Physicians across the US are constantly telling everyone, especially the vulnerable population to keep an eye on the symptoms. They have time and again also urged people to get vaccinated against the flu. The country is also seeing an overload of flu cases, with many calling it the 'worst flu season' ever.

The 2025-2026 flu season's main culprit is the influenza A (H3N2) subclade K, or the superflu. This variant is a mutated strain of H3N2 virus and has a history of being most contagious, staying longer on surface, which is why it is driving the most numbers of hospitalization this season.

Jesse Pines, Chief of Clinical Innovation for US Acute Care Solutions and a practising physician for over 20 years of experiences writes for Forbes the 5 must-know things about the flu.

5 Must-Know Things About Flu, From An ER Doctor

Identify the Symptoms

It is important to know what symptoms you have to know about the illness. This flu starts with high fever, cough, fatigue, muscle aches, sore throat and a headache. However, not everyone can have the similar symptoms. Children could experience gastrointestinal symptoms, which include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Older adults may have atypical symptoms, which may include not feeling hungry, dizziness, or weakness.

Read: Face Masks Are 'Inadequate', Says WHO, Must Be Swapped For Respirators

Vaccine Is A Must

While the flu vaccine for this season was made at least 7 to 8 months before, like usually it happens, which means the subclade K strain may not be this vaccine's target. However, data shows that despite this mismatch, it has a 72 to 75% effective rate in preventing emergency department visits and hospital admissions in children and adolescents, and 32 to 39% effectiveness in adults.

What To Do If You Have Flu Symptoms

The first response should be to contact your healthcare provider for prescription. Pines note that "Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and baloxavir (Xofluza) are primary options". These are used to reduce the symptom duration, and prevent any further complications like pneumonia. It is most effective if started with in the 48 hours of symptoms.

Should You Seek Higher-Level Medical Care With Flu?

While many people recover at home, if you see your symptoms are not showing any signs of reduction beyond 4 to 5 days, you may need a higher levels of medical care for your flu. This could also be applied if your symptoms worsen suddenly after a few days.

How to Manage Post Flu Weakness?

While everyone is talking about flu and its treatment, not much attention is paid on what to do afterwards. Even after the treatment, one might feel the weakness during their recovery period. This has a scientific name, known as 'post-viral' syndrome, which means a lingering cough and fatigue for 2 to 3 weeks after the illness. This is the time when you gradually return to normal activities, but ensure to maintain adequate hydration, sufficient calorie and protein intake in your diet and adequate sleep.

The NHS has issued an alert for anyone taking a widely used heart medication. People are being advised to watch for serious warning signs, including yellowing of the skin or “nosebleeds lasting more than 10 minutes.”

What Is Propranolol?

Propranolol is a beta blocker that slows the heart rate and relaxes blood vessels, helping lower blood pressure and reduce the heart’s oxygen demand. It is also prescribed to ease symptoms of anxiety, such as trembling or excessive sweating, and can help prevent migraines. The medication is prescription-only but is commonly prescribed throughout the UK.

According to the Mirror, the British Heart Foundation reports that more than 50 million beta blocker prescriptions are issued in the UK each year, including for propranolol. Patients usually take it once a day, in either a standard or slow-release form.

While propranolol is generally safe, it does carry possible side effects. The NHS advises contacting 111 immediately if serious symptoms affecting the blood or kidneys appear.

The NHS notes: “Like all medicines, propranolol can cause side effects in some people, but many experience none or only minor effects. Side effects often ease as your body adjusts to the medication.”

Propranolol Side Effects

Common side effects include headaches, fatigue, weakness, cold fingers or toes, nausea, and stomach discomfort. While most people over 12 can safely take propranolol, the NHS recommends consulting a doctor first if you have a history of low blood pressure, heart failure, depression, or diabetes.

More serious reactions can occur, including yellowing of the eyes or skin, pale stools, or dark urine. The NHS also warns of nosebleeds lasting longer than 10 minutes, unexplained bruising, or increased tendency to bruise easily.

Anyone experiencing these warning signs should contact a doctor or call 111 immediately. The NHS also cautions against stopping propranolol abruptly without medical guidance, as this could trigger severe heart problems, including chest pain or even a heart attack.

Who Should Be Extra Cautious With Propranolol

While propranolol is widely prescribed and generally safe for most adults, certain people need to monitor themselves more closely or consult their doctor before use. Those with low blood pressure, heart failure, slow heart rates, diabetes, respiratory conditions like asthma, or a history of depression may face higher risks of side effects. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also speak to a healthcare professional before taking the medication.

The NHS emphasizes that even minor symptoms—like unusual fatigue, dizziness, or cold hands and feet—should not be ignored, especially if they worsen over time. Monitoring for these effects early can prevent more serious complications.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience any side effects or unusual symptoms while taking propranolol or any other prescription medicine, seek medical attention immediately.

A California man died last weekend after eating so-called death cap mushrooms, marking the third fatality linked to the toxic fungi in the state since November.

Health officials say California is seeing an unusually high number of mushroom poisonings this season. Between November 18 and January 4, at least 35 cases were reported statewide. In a typical year, the number is usually fewer than five.

“This year’s figures are far beyond what we normally see,” said Sheri Cardo, a communications specialist with the California Department of Public Health.

California Resident Dies After Eating Death Cap Mushrooms

At least three people have now lost their lives in California due to death cap mushroom poisoning since November. Media reports indicate a sharp rise in cases tied to foraged wild mushrooms, with more than 35 poisonings recorded over the past three months.

“The numbers we’re dealing with this year are comparatively off the charts,” Cardo told NBC News.

The most recent death occurred in Sonoma County and was the first fatal wild mushroom poisoning reported there this season, according to county health officials.

Dr. Michael Stacey, interim health officer for Sonoma County, urged residents to avoid eating wild mushrooms unless they are purchased from reliable grocery stores or licensed sellers. He warned that death cap mushrooms can look strikingly similar to safe, edible varieties.

What Is Death Cap Mushroom Poisoning?

Death cap mushrooms, scientifically known as Amanita phalloides, are among the most poisonous mushrooms in the world. They commonly grow beneath oak trees and can be found in parks, gardens, and wooded areas.

Experts say these mushrooms are often mistaken for edible types because of their appearance. Typical features include:

• A smooth cap that may appear whitish, pale yellow, light brown, or green
• White gills underneath the cap
• A white spore print
• A cup-like structure called a volva at the base of the stem
• A ring, known as an annulus, around the stem

Death Cap Mushroom Symptoms

Symptoms usually begin between six and 24 hours after ingestion. Early signs often include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

In many cases, symptoms ease or disappear after one or two days, which can create a false sense of recovery. By that point, however, the toxins may have already caused severe damage to the liver.

According to experts, the poison responsible, known as amatoxin, can seriously harm the liver, kidneys, and digestive system. Without prompt treatment, the damage can be fatal.

U.S. Poison Centers receive an average of about 52 calls each year related to amatoxin exposure, said Hallen-Adams, though not every case is officially reported.

Is the Risk Easing?

The danger may now be starting to decline in parts of California. Mike McCurdy, president of the Mycological Society of San Francisco, said he has noticed far fewer death cap mushrooms during recent foraging trips.

Earlier this winter, McCurdy said he spotted hundreds of death caps during a two- to three-hour walk in Sonoma County. On a recent outing near Lafayette, California, he found just one. “I think we’re getting close to the end,” he said.