The man with the largest thumb in the world reveals the daily problems of using a mobile phone
A Massachusetts man with one of the largest thumbs in the world has shown off how he uses everyday objects like his phone.
Jacob Pina, 25, has gone viral in recent years for his five-inch figure, which has helped him launch a successful YouTube channel and gain millions of online followers.
But while it has brought him internet fame, it has made everyday tasks like texting and using his cell phone much more difficult.
At about two inches fully extended, his right thumb is slightly shorter than that of the 6-inch iPhone 16. His left thumb, he has said, is almost as long.
He demonstrated this in a recent TikTok videowhere he extended his thumb to scroll through social media on his phone.
The clip, which has been viewed nearly 100,000 times, left viewers shocked and confused, with many wondering if it was edited or if the extreme stretch is painful.
One of them said: ‘This makes me physically uncomfortable.’
About one in ten Americans have very flexible or stretchy joints, also called hypermobile joints, but doctors have no explanation for Pina’s case.
Mr. Pina has gone viral on TikTok for his thumb, showing clips comparing it to other objects. The above photos show him trying to use his cell phone with his thumb extended
Jacob Pina (pictured here), 25, claims he can stretch his right thumb to almost two inches long, almost double the length of an average person
Although hypermobility has been linked to genetic conditions, he said he has no underlying health conditions that could explain his thumb.
He previously told DailyMail.com: ‘It was a positive experience with a long thumb. It has never stopped me from doing anything, and sharing it on TikTok has given me so many followers who are thumb enthusiasts all over the world.”
It is unclear whether he holds any records for the largest thumb in the world.
Mr. Pina didn’t realize he had this bizarre talent until he was a freshman in high school. He kept it to himself until a friend encouraged him to create a TikTok account to show it off in 2019.
Since then, he has amassed 2.8 million followers and has posted several videos comparing his thumb to other people and objects such as water bottles and video game controllers.
He said that while both of his thumbs may stretch abnormally long, his right thumb is slightly longer. Because his right hand is dominant, it is of course also the one he shows off more often on social media.
He previously told DailyMail.com: ‘I can’t believe how many likes I have.’
Hypermobile joints have been linked to several genetic and autoimmune diseases.
One of the best known is Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (HEDS), a genetic disorder that affects the body’s connective tissues, providing structure to organs and keeping bones intact.
HEDS affects one in 5,000 to one in 20,000 Americans, including celebrities like Billie Eilish and Lena Dunham, and leads to overly flexible and often painful joints, stretchy skin and frequent dislocations.
Marfan syndrome, a similar connective tissue disorder, also leads to extremely flexible joints, according to one in 5,000 Americans.
Mr. Pina didn’t confirm whether stretching his thumbs is painful, but he did note a few benefits, including never losing a thumb war.
He said, “And I’m pretty good with Xbox. I’m really good at Rainbow Six Siege. I’ve probably been in the top ten in the world for ten seasons in a row.’
Several commenters on his recent video expressed doubts and concerns about Mr. Pina’s thumb.
One said: ‘Is it a condition causing this or has it been edited?’
Another commented: ‘You don’t understand how confused I am.’
“bro this is a sword,” said one viewer.