Labubus, ADHD and Mental Health

Why People with ADHD Love Labubu Toys and the Whole Blind Box Buzz

If you have ADHD, there is a fair chance you already know the thrill of a Labubu toy. And if you have never heard of them, let me paint you a picture. Imagine a strange little creature with a slightly cheeky grin, massive eyes, and a personality that somehow bursts out of a tiny plastic figure. They come in all sorts of weird and wonderful outfits - pirate Labubu, wizard Labubu, strawberry Labubu, secret Labubu - and the hunt to collect them all is part of the magic. But it is not just about the toy itself. There is a whole ritual that comes with Labubu and the wider world of blind box toys, and it speaks directly to something deep inside the ADHD brain.

Let us be honest. The ADHD brain loves novelty. We are drawn to anything that offers a quick burst of surprise or excitement. The idea of buying a box without knowing which character is inside is basically catnip. There is a sense of risk and reward, but in a low stakes way. You are not betting your house, you are spending a few quid on a little piece of joy. And the packaging is always bright, colourful, and carefully designed to make your brain go “Ooooh, what’s that?”. It is a proper dopamine magnet.

The Mystery Factor

The magic of a blind box is the not knowing. With Labubu, you buy a sealed box and have no clue which one you will get until you tear it open. Your brain goes on a little journey. First comes the build up — you are holding the box, you know there is a figure inside, you can hear it rattle a bit if you shake it. Then you start unwrapping. There is the sound of the cardboard, then the crinkle of the inner bag, then the reveal. Boom. Instant reward.

For someone with ADHD, this whole process is basically a mini adventure. The anticipation keeps you hooked, the sensory experience of opening the box is satisfying, and the reveal delivers that little hit of dopamine. It is the same reason people love scratch cards or lucky dip bags, except in this case the prize is a cute little gremlin for your shelf rather than a fiver from the corner shop.

Blind Box and Unboxing ASMR

Now, here is where it gets interesting. Blind box collecting has merged with another popular trend known as unboxing videos. You will find loads of people online filming themselves opening Labubu boxes, and it has become a whole genre of ASMR content. You get the slow sounds of tape being peeled away, the rustle of packaging, and that quiet little gasp when the figure finally appears.

For viewers, especially those with ADHD, this can be strangely addictive. It is not just about seeing the toy. It is the pacing, the sounds, and the safe little narrative of “mystery to reveal” over and over again. The repetition is soothing, but the fact you never know exactly what will come out keeps your brain interested. It is like having a warm blanket and a rollercoaster at the same time. It's weird but effective.

 How It Might Help Mental Health

For some people, collecting Labubu or watching unboxing videos can genuinely help with their mental health. Life with ADHD can be chaotic, stressful, and full of unfinished projects. Blind boxes offer a small, achievable goal. You simply open box, get toy, display toy. Done. There is a sense of completion that you might not get from other parts of life.

The process can also be a way to self soothe. On tough days, sitting down with a cup of tea and opening a little box can be comforting. The physical sensations of the unwrapping, the joy of the reveal, and even the way the toy feels in your hand can ground you in the moment. For viewers who watch unboxing videos instead, it can be a low effort way to relax and switch off from intrusive thoughts.

There is also a community element. People swap their doubles, share photos of their collections, and chat about which ones they are still hunting for. For someone who might struggle with social situations, this can be an easy way to connect over something lighthearted.

How It Might Hinder Mental Health

Of course, it is not all sunshine and strawberry Labubus. The very same things that make blind boxes appealing can also cause problems. Because each box is random, you can end up buying loads in the hope of getting a specific one. This can get expensive fast. The little dopamine hits can trick your brain into wanting more and more, and before you know it you have spent a small fortune chasing that one rare figure.

There is also the potential for disappointment. If you have your heart set on a particular Labubu and you keep getting duplicates, it can be frustrating. For some people, that frustration might tip over into a sense of failure or a spike in anxiety. The risk reward cycle that makes it fun can also make it feel like a bit of a gamble.

And for those who use unboxing videos as a way to cope with stress, it can turn into a bit of an avoidance habit. Instead of dealing with what is bothering you, you might end up endlessly scrolling through reveal after reveal. It is not harmful in itself, but if it is replacing other ways of processing your feelings, it can become a sticking point.

The Dopamine Connection

Let’s talk about dopamine for a moment. People with ADHD have a brain that is wired to seek out novelty and stimulation because dopamine levels work differently. Dopamine is basically the brain’s way of saying “that was good, do it again”. The blind box experience ticks all the right boxes including anticipation, sensory input, surprise, and reward.

When you open a Labubu box, you are going through a whole dopamine loop in a matter of seconds. First you get the anticipation dopamine, then the sensory dopamine, then the reward dopamine when you see what you have got. It is a mini rollercoaster for your brain chemistry.

The downside is that your brain might start craving that loop over and over. This is where collecting can tip into compulsive behaviour. If you notice yourself buying boxes just to get the “opening” feeling rather than because you actually want the toys, that is a sign your brain is chasing dopamine rather than the toy itself.

Appealing to the Inner Child

Another big part of the appeal is how these toys speak to our inner child. Labubu figures are playful, a bit cheeky, and often dressed in costumes that feel straight out of a storybook. For many of us, especially those who grew up in the 80s or 90s, they tap into the same joy we felt when we got a new Happy Meal toy or found a rare sticker for our collection.

For people with ADHD, the inner child is often very close to the surface. We might be serious adults when we have to be, but the part of us that loves silly, colourful, whimsical things never really goes away. Collecting Labubu can feel like giving that part of yourself a little treat. It is playful, harmless, and a reminder that you do not have to be “grown up” all the time.

There is also a bit of nostalgia involved. Even if you never had Labubu as a kid, the whole idea of surprise toys feels like something from childhood. It takes you back to a time when your biggest worry was whether you would get the shiny card in your cereal box.

The Ritual of Unboxing

Beyond the toy itself, there is something ritualistic about unboxing. You might have a little routine, sit in a certain spot, open the box in a certain way, maybe even make yourself a drink first. This turns it into more than just “open and look”. It becomes a mini event.

Rituals are powerful for people with ADHD because they add a bit of structure to something enjoyable. They can also make the experience more mindful. Instead of rushing through it, you are present for every part from picking up the box to placing the new figure on your shelf.

The Social Buzz

Let’s not ignore the social media side of things. Sharing your unboxing online is part of the fun for many collectors. You might film it for TikTok, post it on Instagram, or share it in a group chat. The reactions from other people can add to the dopamine hit. Someone comments “I have been looking for that one!” and suddenly you are buzzing again.

This is not necessarily a bad thing. Humans are social creatures, and sharing our little wins can be lovely. But it can also mean you feel pressure to keep buying and posting so you can stay part of the conversation.

Balancing the Joy and the Risks

Like most things, collecting Labubu and diving into the blind box world is all about balance. The joy it brings is real, the excitement, the sensory fun, the little moments of happiness when you get a new figure. For people with ADHD, it can be a bright spot in a sometimes overwhelming world.

The key is to notice when the balance tips. If you are spending more than you can afford, feeling more frustrated than excited, or chasing the dopamine hit rather than enjoying the toy, it might be time to slow down. Sometimes swapping duplicates with friends can scratch the itch without buying more. Watching unboxing videos can also be a way to enjoy the thrill without constantly spending. If you notice any thoughts or behaviours which are becoming intrusive or difficult to manage, us therapists are here to help. You are not alone and we are not going to judge you. We get you.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, Labubu toys and the blind box experience tap into some very human things — curiosity, playfulness, and the love of a good surprise. For the ADHD brain, it is like a tiny carnival in a box. Add in the ASMR side of unboxing videos and you have got a perfect recipe for repeated enjoyment.

It can help mental health by offering comfort, structure, and small bursts of joy. It can hinder it if it tips into compulsive spending or becomes a way to avoid dealing with other things - in this case, give one of us a call and we'll support you in making the changes you want to make. But for many, it is simply a harmless, colourful hobby that makes the day a bit brighter.

So if you find yourself grinning at a strange little gremlin in a strawberry outfit, do not overthink it. Your brain is just enjoying a moment of surprise and delight — and in a world that can be a bit grey, that is worth celebrating.

Written by Emilie Watson BA (Hons) MBACP

Emilie is a Pluralistic Integrative counsellor based in South Wales, UK. Contact: emilie@thecalmplace.co.uk