A new study by a psychologist at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen interviewed 17 former incels to understand how they became involved in the manosphere and what helped them leave. The findings highlight the role of so-called manfluencers as a gateway, with many men first encountering self-improvement advice that later spiralled into misogynistic ideologies.
One former incel, Habib, explained: 'They give you legitimate self-improvement advice, and then it gets worked into these other wild theories, which makes you very unlikable. And then all of a sudden, you think, okay, so if this didn't work for me, then it must be because of the way I look.' This sense of personal failure often leads men deeper into incel forums.
Almost half of the participants joined before age 18, with two as young as 12. Tobias, who started at 13, came across incel content after searching 'how to know if a girl likes you' on YouTube. The platform's algorithm then recommended red pill content, leading him to self-identify as an incel. He left by age 14, but the experience was formative.
The study also reveals that incels are more diverse than commonly assumed: only 55% are white, and many come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Half still live with parents or caregivers, and 20% are not in education, employment, or training. Former incels like Harta, who spent five years in the subculture, say that talking openly about their experiences was a crucial step towards leaving.
According to the psychologist, many former incels find catharsis in discussing their past. The research suggests that offering non-judgmental spaces and redirecting towards healthy relationship advice could help others exit the manosphere.
