In the late 2010s, a peculiar fear began spreading online: trypophobia, the intense discomfort or fear of clusters of holes. A pattern of tiny holes (think honeycombs, lotus seed pods, or bubble wrap) could trigger visceral reactions: shivers, nausea, even panic. Before the internet spotlighted it, this phobia was mostly unheard of. Then the internet got involved. Memes, Reddit threads, and viral posts showcased trypophobic images, often framed as “gross but fascinating.” Sud