When we think of addiction, common culprits like caffeine, social media, or perhaps even shopping might come to mind. These are habits many can relate to, or at least understand. But what happens when cravings venture into truly uncharted territory? The world is full of unique individuals, and sometimes, their desires can lead to some of the most bewildering compulsions imaginable.
Prepare to be astonished as we delve into a list of incredibly strange things people have found themselves addicted to. From everyday household items to things you’d never imagine someone consuming, these stories stretch the very definition of addiction. Let’s explore these unusual habits that prove human behavior knows no bounds.
10. Drinking Nail Polish
It sounds almost unbelievable, but some individuals have developed an addiction to drinking nail polish. While most of us keep it strictly for our nails, others consume it daily. For instance, a woman named Bertha reportedly drinks about five bottles of nail polish each day, not for a dare, but apparently to quench her thirst. Others have described the sensation as similar to drinking warm milk, enjoying the feeling it creates in their throat.
This is an extremely dangerous habit, as nail polish contains toxic chemicals clearly not meant for ingestion. Despite the clear health risks, the compulsion can be overwhelmingly strong for those affected.
9. Ice Cube Eating (Pagophagia)
Chewing on ice might seem harmless, even refreshing to some. However, when the urge to eat ice cubes becomes a constant, undeniable craving, it’s known as pagophagia. This condition is a form of pica, an eating disorder where people crave non-food items. Some individuals can’t get through their day without consuming a significant amount of ice.
Pagophagia is often linked to iron-deficiency anemia. In one documented case, a patient complaining of abdominal pain was found to be anemic, a common factor among those who crave ice. While there’s a medical explanation, the intensity of this specific craving still makes it a strange and notable addiction for the few it affects.
8. Drinking Blood, Including Human!
This one definitely ventures into the deeply unsettling. Michele, a tattoo artist, developed an intense craving for animal blood after turning 19. She reportedly starts her day with a glass of it, incorporating it into her meals and snacks whenever possible. Her preferred “flavor”? Pig’s blood, which she finds saltier than cow’s blood.
As if that wasn’t shocking enough, Michele’s addiction has apparently escalated to include human blood when available. She attributes this bizarre behavior not to cultural practices or beliefs, but purely to an overwhelming fascination and craving. This is certainly one of the most extreme and startling addictions one could imagine.
7. Eating Soap and Washing Detergent
Tempestt, a 19-year-old college student, found an unusual way to cope with stress: by eating soap and laundry detergent. Her addiction began subtly, starting with a craving for the scent of these cleaning products. Over time, she wondered if ingesting them would provide even greater comfort. What started as a small lick of detergent powder soon grew into a daily habit, consuming handfuls and eventually leading to an estimated 100 bars of soap eaten annually.
Soap and detergents contain harmful chemicals and bleaching agents definitely not meant for consumption. Fortunately, Tempestt confided in friends and family, who encouraged her to seek medical help. While she reportedly still enjoys the smell, she managed to overcome the eating compulsion.
6. Snorting Baby Powder
Lisa Anderson, a 44-year-old woman, developed a peculiar addiction to sniffing Johnson’s baby powder. This unusual habit began as a craving during pregnancy when she found the scent particularly appealing. After her child was born, the urge intensified, and she started not just sniffing but also eating the powder. Her consumption grew to the point where she was going through about a bottle a day.
This addiction had significant consequences beyond the financial strain. Lisa mentioned needing to use the bathroom up to 40 times a day, highlighting the adverse health effects of ingesting or inhaling large quantities of baby powder.
5. Eating Glass
Josh, a stand-up performer, has an addiction that is both dangerous and attention-grabbing: eating glass. He claims his habit started after reading about it in a book. Finding the initial experience manageable, the urge to continue grew. As an entertainer, Josh noticed that eating glass in front of an audience garnered significant attention. This positive reinforcement led him to escalate his act, eventually swallowing bullets as well.
He reports having consumed over 30 bullets, reveling in the reactions he gets. It raises the question of whether Josh is addicted to the act of consuming these dangerous items or the attention and notoriety that come with such shocking behavior.
4. Hair Pulling (Trichotillomania)
Kelsie Hanna, a 30-year-old woman, battles a compulsive urge to pull out her own hair, a condition known as trichotillomania. She describes the sensation as feeling like ants or needles are in a particular strand of hair, prompting an irresistible need to remove it. In her attempts to find the “culprit” strand, she often ends up pulling out clumps of hair.
Her mother discovered this habit when Kelsie was just five years old, finding a trash can filled with her daughter’s hair. Despite frequent doctor visits and therapies, managing this uncommon disorder has been challenging. Kelsie has learned to cope by shaving the hair on most of her body and wears a wig when she goes out.
3. Eating Clay Mask
Natasha, a 40-year-old woman from California, is addicted to eating clay face masks. She finds their taste wonderful and claims it helps calm her down. For over seven years, this addiction has been so strong that she sometimes replaces meals with clay masks or eats them alongside her food. She reportedly consumes up to a jar a day, a habit that naturally concerns those close to her.
After consuming an estimated ton of clay masks over the years, Natasha visited a doctor at her boyfriend’s urging. While initial tests came back okay, the doctor advised her to stop, warning about potential parasites. However, after nearly a decade, breaking such an ingrained habit is incredibly difficult.
2. Drinking Urine
The idea of drinking one’s own urine, often called urine therapy, sparks much debate and makes many people uncomfortable. Despite this, some individuals embrace the practice, believing in its purported health benefits. When conventional treatments failed to provide relief for their ailments, several individuals formed a group dedicated to drinking their own urine in hopes of finding a cure.
One member shared that this habit helped manage his eczema, essentially finding a “cure within himself.” Another woman in the group has been drinking her urine since 1983, also using it to cleanse her eyes and wash her face. Some members even soak their feet in urine, claiming it makes their feet feel “lighter than air.”
1. Eating a Dead Person’s Ashes
Perhaps the most shocking and emotionally complex addiction on this list is that of Cassie, who eats the ashes of her deceased husband. She carries his ashes with her everywhere – to the grocery store, restaurants, and while shopping – and consumes a small portion whenever she can. Beyond eating the ashes, Cassie continues to interact with her late husband by talking to him, cooking his favorite meals, and watching his favorite TV shows.
Their marriage was brief, lasting ten months before he tragically passed away from a severe asthma attack. Her unusual addiction began accidentally when some ashes spilled onto her fingers. With nothing to wipe them on, she licked them clean, an act that unknowingly sparked this deeply personal and bizarre compulsion, which she views as an act of love.
These stories certainly highlight the vast spectrum of human behavior and the surprising forms addiction can take. It’s a reminder that behind every unusual habit, there’s often a complex personal story and a powerful, sometimes inexplicable, urge.
What’s the strangest addiction you’ve ever heard of? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
