SciShow Explains the Phenomenon of Trypophobia, A Fear of Small Clusters of Holes

Michael Aranda describes the phenomenon of trypophobia — the fear of small clusters of holes — on an episode of SciShow. The newly minted fear is now being researched by scientists who have attempted to link it back to subconscious identifications with naturally occurring patterns.

Trypophobia is not officially recognized as an official phobia, despite the fact that an estimated 15-percent of people feel it to some degree. The term itself popped up in the 2000s when internet users randomly began posting images of hole-y things and comparing their aversions to clusters of small holes.