"Study Reveals Trypophobia's Deep Psychological Roots Beyond Social Media"

New research in the Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology indicates that trypophobia, the fear of clusters of small holes, is a genuine psychological condition affecting about 1 in 10 people, not just a social media phenomenon. The study found that younger people and women, who are more active on social media, show higher sensitivity to trypophobic stimuli, suggesting social media may heighten awareness but is not the sole cause. The condition may also be linked to an evolved sensitivity to noxious animals or skin pathologies.