The Zombie Snail meme is based on real-life footage of a snail infected by the Leucochloridium paradoxum parasite, which invades the snail's eyestalks and makes them pulse with bright colors to mimic caterpillars. While a grim biological reality, the internet adopted the visual as the ultimate symbol for 'brain rot' and digital hypnosis. It is frequently used to represent the feeling of being overwhelmed by social media algorithms or being completely mesmerized by nonsensical content. The meme often highlights the loss of agency or the trance-like state users enter during late-night scrolling sessions.