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Afraid of holes? Evolution may hold the answer to trypophobia

Trypophobia, characterized by a fear or aversion to clusters of small holes, is subject of both popular intrigue and scientific investigation. While it might seem trivial or peculiar, trypophobia significantly impacts a notable portion of the population. A recent paper published in Evolutionary Psychological Science examined the evolutionary underpinnings of trypophobia, offering two primary hypotheses to explain its origins: the dangerous animal hypothesis and the skin disease-avoidance hypothesis.