The Science Behind the Pimple Popping Phenomenon

For some reason, popping pimples gives many people a satisfying rush - but why? And why is there a whole television show dedicated to watching other people do it?!

Hosted by: Anthony Brown
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[SciShowPsych]

Correction! At 1:13, the image is supposed to show dopamine, but it's a picture of serotonin

[nerdexproject]

Simple:
When I don't pop them, they stay forever and cause pain.
When I pop them, they cause some fair amount of pain too but then it's over, the wound heals and I am good after a day.

Fairly simple.

[jerry]

When I pop zits it’s because they hurt, and when I pop them it relieves the pain.

[josipatokic]

I like this guy. His voice is so calm and gets me really into the matter

[Lexicommonzero]

Perfect timing and expression on the clip of the guy closing his laptop

[BothHands]

dopamine is a phenethylamine, but you have a tryptamine there. specifically, that image at 1:13 is serotonin. not dopamine.

[Nathan-cgiv]

Youtube: The Science Behind the Pimple Popping Phenomenon
me: stop stalking me

[acathosh]

Explains why I destroy my skin when I'm stressed, making the situation worse. Thank you dopamime, very cool!

[saken]

lololol OMG. Dude closing his laptop in disgust at 3:14 needs to be made into a GIF. ::dying::

[neonsilver]

I'm worried that if I like this video, the YT algorithm will recommend zit vids, and I REALLY don't want that. Literally turned my phone away when watching the video and just listened so that they wouldn't show me any zits

[MsArizonaGrown]

Ew no. I can't leave it alone. The pressure makes it painful and it caused discoloration. They go away faster once popped even if it's temporarily more red. The lack of swelling also makes it easier to cover up. I will never be able to just let them hang. Nope

[zalphinian]

For me, I love to watch those videos because it gives me a sense of release as I watch a person be 'cleansed' of undesirable materials in and under their skin. It's cathartic to know that there once was trapped gunk, but now I know that gunk is gone.

[MrHydesAlterEgo]

Love the new presenter's voice and enthusiasm!

[MsCherade]

I can throughly recommended Enilsa Brown's channel, her work is so satisfying to watch *and* she does an amazing job for people's skin. Spot popping is a compulsion, just like Dermatillomania and Trichtillomania which I've had since early childhood. Watching spot popping videos is the only 'treatment' that has ever worked in the 38 years I've had these compulsions. It really helps and a majority of viewers of these videos are also in a similar boat to myself. We talk about it in the comments a lot.

[rob_i]

I hope YouTube doesn't start recommending me pimple popping videos now.

[airplayn]

Thanks, you've now shown me there actually IS a limit on what I want to know.

[karicorvidae]

What a great new presenter! Hope to see more from you on this channel. Great expressions, clarity, and speed.

[omninulla]

I lance my zits all the time and have never gotten an infection. Just sterilize the pin first and wash your face after.

[kitvalentine]

this is also really pertinent to OCD-type behaviors and related disorders such as excoriation/skin picking disorder and trichotillomania

[K_i_t_t_y]

Anthony Brown, this new presenter? Awesome. I like his voice and he's handsome, 10/10!