Adult pacifier trend sparks efficacy debate

The sudden rise in popularity of adult pacifiers among Chinese adults has sparked debates and garnered significant attention on Sina Weibo, China's Twitter-like social media platform.

With over 68 million views as of Sunday, the trend has taken a curious turn as one of the top-selling adult pacifiers on Taobao, a popular e-commerce platform, surpassed 10,000 units sold at 15.90 yuan ($2.20) each.

Adult pacifiers are being touted for their potential benefits. Some users claim they aid in curbing habits such as smoking and snacking, improving sleep quality and reducing anxiety. Other buyers have cited various reasons for purchasing, from preventing teeth grinding at night to silencing a snoring spouse.