What is the origin story of the Expanding Brain meme?
The Expanding Brain meme emerged in early 2017 on Reddit’s r/dankmemes community, specifically tied to discussions about the word “whomst”. The original version, posted by Reddit user janskishimanski on January 31st, 2017, featured a series of increasingly elaborate brain images paired with progressively more complex variations of the word “who”.
The format quickly transcended its linguistic origins to become one of the most versatile meme templates on the internet. What started as a simple four-panel image evolved into variations containing up to 7 or 8 panels, often depicting transcendent states of consciousness with cosmic imagery and ethereal blue color schemes. The scientific and spiritual themes of the template, combined with its inherent ironic potential, helped establish it as a cornerstone of internet culture.
How did the Expanding Brain meme evolve into different formats?
The Expanding Brain format underwent significant evolution as it spread across different platforms, spawning numerous creative adaptations. One notable transformation occurred when the meme was adapted into an Instagram face filter, where users could control their expanding brain size through screen interactions. The format also inspired variations featuring different characters, including the Vince McMahon reaction template and motion-blurred astronaut versions.
The meme’s versatility led to its adaptation into text-only versions and even commercial applications, as demonstrated by its use in online advertising campaigns. By 2018, the format had inspired derivative works like the Drake Sprite commercial remix, which maintained the core concept of progressive enlightenment while introducing new visual elements. The template’s flexibility allowed it to address everything from trivial pop culture references to complex social commentary, cementing its position as a foundational piece of internet culture.
Why has the Expanding Brain meme remained so popular since 2017?
The enduring popularity of the Expanding Brain meme stems from its unique ability to convey both intellectual superiority and ironic humor simultaneously. The format’s versatility allows it to address virtually any topic, from everyday observations to complex philosophical concepts, making it consistently relevant across different contexts and communities.
The meme’s staying power is further enhanced by its visual appeal and clear progression structure, which makes it instantly recognizable while remaining highly adaptable. Its ability to evolve with changing internet culture, combined with its use in mainstream marketing and social media, has helped maintain its relevance well beyond the typical lifespan of most memes. The format’s inherent ability to both celebrate and satirize intellectual pretense has made it a powerful tool for social commentary while remaining entertaining and accessible to broad audiences.
What are the most common variations of the Expanding Brain meme?
The most prevalent variations of the Expanding Brain meme typically follow a progression from simple to cosmic consciousness, with the classic format featuring four panels showing increasingly illuminated brains. The standard template often incorporates a blue and purple cosmic aesthetic in its final panels, earning it the alternative name “Galaxy Brain”.
Beyond the basic format, popular variations include the spiritually-themed versions featuring meditation and deity-like figures, as well as versions incorporating Wojak characters. Text-based adaptations have become increasingly common, particularly on platforms like Twitter, where the format has been simplified to focus on the progressive nature of ideas rather than visual elements. The meme has also spawned platform-specific variations, such as AR filters and video versions, which have garnered millions of views and helped maintain its cultural relevance.
How do you create your own Expanding Brain meme?
Creating an Expanding Brain meme requires careful attention to both visual progression and conceptual escalation. The standard format typically begins with a simple brain image and progresses through increasingly complex representations, with each panel corresponding to more elaborate or absurd ideas. The key is maintaining the signature blue color scheme and cosmic imagery in the later panels while ensuring each step represents a logical (or ironically illogical) progression.
Modern meme creation tools and platforms offer templates specifically designed for the Expanding Brain format, with customizable text options and panel arrangements. When crafting your own version, it’s essential to maintain the ironic tone that made the format famous, often by making the most “enlightened” option the most ridiculous or over-the-top. The most effective versions typically use between 4 to 6 panels, though some creators push this to 7 or 8 for more complex progressions.
What makes Expanding Brain merchandise unique among meme collectibles?
Expanding Brain merchandise stands out in the meme collectibles market due to its distinctive visual aesthetic and universal appeal that transcends language barriers. The format’s signature cosmic imagery and progressive enlightenment theme lend themselves particularly well to various merchandise formats, from apparel to digital collectibles.
The meme’s scientific and spiritual themes create unique opportunities for product design, incorporating elements like gradient colors, brain imagery, and cosmic motifs that are instantly recognizable to internet culture enthusiasts. Unlike many meme-based products that quickly become dated, Expanding Brain merchandise maintains its relevance due to the format’s continued evolution and adaptation across different platforms and contexts.
What are the most creative uses of the Expanding Brain format in marketing?
Marketing applications of the Expanding Brain format have proven particularly effective in the technology and education sectors, where the meme’s association with intellectual progression naturally aligns with product messaging. Successful implementations often use the format to compare different service tiers or product features, with the most premium offerings represented by the cosmic brain stages.
The format has been especially powerful in affiliate marketing contexts, where it’s used to create engaging content that naturally leads to product recommendations. Marketers have also adapted the format for social media campaigns, using it to illustrate product evolution or service upgrades in a way that resonates with younger, meme-savvy audiences. The format’s inherent humor and irony make it particularly effective for brands looking to appear more relatable and self-aware.
Which Expanding Brain products are trending in 2025?
The current trending products in the Expanding Brain merchandise category reflect the meme’s evolution into more sophisticated and interactive formats. AR-enabled merchandise, inspired by successful social media filters, has become particularly popular, allowing users to experience the expanding brain effect in real-time.
Digital collectibles and customizable merchandise that incorporate the meme’s signature cosmic aesthetic have seen significant growth in the affiliate marketing space. The gaming and technology sectors have particularly embraced the format, with products ranging from gaming accessories to educational tools that reference the meme’s intellectual progression theme.
How do you spot authentic Expanding Brain meme merchandise?
Authentic Expanding Brain merchandise typically maintains fidelity to the original meme’s visual progression and color scheme, particularly the characteristic blue and purple cosmic imagery. Quality merchandise will feature clear, high-resolution graphics that properly represent the meme’s signature brain evolution sequence.
Legitimate products often come from established meme merchandise retailers or platforms with verified seller programs. The best merchandise maintains the ironic spirit of the original meme while offering practical value, whether as collectibles or functional items. When evaluating authenticity, look for products that demonstrate understanding of the meme’s cultural context and evolution, rather than simply reproducing the basic template.