LISTEN: Why do some people find pimple popping videos so grossly satisfying?

947’s Afternoons with Zweli chat more about it.

Listen below:

While popping your own pimples might seem like a normal thing, watching someone else pop theirs is a little controversial.

There are thousands of videos online of people popping their pimples or others' (in the case of professionals), showing everything in detail.

While many people would react in disgust, others find it strangely satisfying to watch. 

After all, there is a reason why these videos have millions of views.

“I will sit in the studio, while the music is playing, and I will watch pimple popping videos. It is so satisfying to me… Dr Pimple Popper? That’s my girl.” 

– Noluthando Ngeno, Afternoons with Zweli

Zweli is in FULL disagreement…   

“It can’t be satisfying in any way... if anything, it just makes me feel so uncomfortable. There is nothing satisfying about watching someone’s pimples being popped.” 

– Zweli Mbhele, Afternoons with Zweli

So, why do people enjoy watching these 'grossly satisfying' videos?

Based on the findings reported by Psychology Today, there are two main reasons:

• Difference in the ability to regulate disgust – while disgust is an emotion that helps us stay away from things, some people can assess that it’s not a real threat and can better adjust their disgust reaction.
• High curiosity for negative content - people who watch pimple popping videos may show a stronger morbid curiosity than others.

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the discussion.