Recently, our sister-site Upworthy asked their Facebook audience the question: What's a product or service that feels like it's gaslighting all of us into thinking it's necessary? More than 8,000 responses poured in. The answers were passionate, funny, and surprisingly unified. Here are 21 products, services, and systems people called out for pretending to be essential -- when they might actually be optional, overpriced, or flat-out invented.

It topped the list. Erica L. explained: "My doctor prescribes, the pharmacist issues meds, nurses care for people, surgeons do surgery -- Health Insurance stands between health care and patients and says no, exclusively on whether they think it's financially effective to treat you."

Important note: Health insurance can provide life-saving access for many -- but what people are frustrated by here is the profit-first system, not care itself.

"Take a shower," said Shannon H.

"How did we ever manage all those years without it!! 😂😵💫" added Karen R.

Others noted it may help people with medical conditions -- but for the average person, it's definitely a marketing creation.

Multiple people slammed the high cost of modern weddings.

JoElla B. put it plainly: "We spend too much time and money planning one day, and not enough thought on how to blend two lives in a mutually beneficial one."

Others called out expensive dresses, venues, and pressure to perform for social media.

Carole D. said: "Water in plastic bottles! Get a cup!"

While bottled water has value in emergencies, it's often just filtered tap water -- sold for profit in plastic.

"Most baby products," wrote Kelli O. "They really aren't as needy and complicated as companies want us to think."

"It's bad for clothes, bad for the Earth, bad for the wallet, and totally unnecessary," said Gail H.

Some experts agree -- many softeners contain chemicals that can reduce fabric lifespan and irritate skin.

"Adding 'phone controls' to every appliance instead of making them last as long as they used to," wrote Sherry S.

When your fridge needs a software update, something's gone off the rails.

"Anything anti-aging," said Melissa T., "Please just let me age into the gargoyle I was meant to become."

Others questioned products designed to "fix" eyelashes, eyebrows, pores, and graying hair.

April S. added, "Products that women are convinced they MUST have in order to be 'beautiful' and therefore 'loved.'"

Ron P. called out the industry as a whole. And while body autonomy matters, many commenters questioned whether insecurities are being commodified and sold back to us.

"Let's go back to waiting in line at a record store," wrote Nicole C.

Zaida B. added: "Convenience fee for online purchases -- then charging $10 more at the actual event."

James P. didn't mince words: "Engagement rings."

The diamond industry has long been criticized for manufactured scarcity and marketing-fueled necessity.

"Plant native grasses and you don't have the pests or need for constant watering," wrote Jamie B.

Environmental groups have raised similar concerns over runoff and unnecessary pesticide use.

"This stuff squeezes the lifeblood and individuality out of the human experience," said Teresa L.

Saskia D. and others echoed skepticism about its necessity, even as many of us are being pushed to use it.

Amy W. shared: "My parents both have already paid to have themselves cremated and are very adamant that they do not want anything big done for them. In their words, 'I won't care, I'm dead.'"

Of course, some families find comfort in tradition -- but the cost and pressure can feel overwhelming and predatory.

Amy D. nailed it: "It's just to sell more. Not even sure you need it at all."

Shawn S. took aim at the extra fees popping up at checkout: "That is the cost of doing business and shouldn't be the burden of the purchaser."

Many questioned why customers are increasingly being asked to pay extra simply for the convenience of using a card.

"Apple are notorious for releasing the same shit every year," said Steph S.

Diana H. added, "Needing to upgrade our phones so frequently."

Built-in obsolescence and marketing cycles drive most of the demand.

"If I took every supplement they say I NEED I wouldn't need food. Nor could I afford it," said Tausha L.

Jessica W. said, "I have to buy men's pants for work because women's pants would just get torn up too fast!"

Form over function, and then they charge more for it.

"The 'convenience' of disposable everything," said Rick R.

It's killing the planet -- and draining wallets.

"I'm sick of supplementing for corporations that refuse to pay a living wage," wrote Susan V.

Tipping culture has evolved into something far removed from its original intent, and for many, it now feels like a burden shifted onto the customer.

People aren't saying all these things should vanish tomorrow. But when we start seeing convenience sold as necessity, and insecurity turned into billion-dollar markets, it's worth asking: who benefits from all of this?

And more importantly -- who pays?