How Do Laxatives Work?

Even though we're all probably very experienced poopers, sometimes we need a little help.

Hosted by: Olivia Gordon
----------
----------
Dooblydoo thanks go to the following Patreon supporters: Kelly Landrum Jones, Sam Lutfi, Kevin Knupp, Nicholas Smith, Inerri, D.A. Noe, alexander wadsworth, سلطان الخليفي, Piya Shedden, KatieMarie Magnone, Scott Satovsky Jr, Bella Nash, Charles Southerland, Bader AlGhamdi, James Harshaw, Patrick Merrithew, Patrick D. Ashmore, Candy, Tim Curwick, charles george, Saul, Mark Terrio-Cameron, Viraansh Bhanushali, Kevin Bealer, Philippe von Bergen, Chris Peters, Justin Lentz
----------
Looking for SciShow elsewhere on the internet?
----------
Sources:

[maggiee]

Omg some people poop only 3 times a week?! If I go a day without taking a dump I’m in crisis mode.

[tristanjff]

"Very experienced pooper" - finally, something else I can put on my CV

[watson]

Kudos to Olivia for keeping a straight face through this whole thing!

[shaaaairuuu]

I remember once I constipated so badly I could not poop for over 24 hours and I was literally crying. After some medicines helped I was literally so tired as if I just gave birth. Since then I am always conscious about my food and eat vegetables even if I hate them. It's sooo painful.

Pro tip: don't peel the apples and cucumbers. The fibres in the peel really help. Now even when craving French fries I leave the skin on. The fries actually taste better.

[benbarker]

My father, a pharmacist, told me to remember which foods, "did not agree with me". He stated that using food to assist in the evacuation of poop was easier on the body than some medications. So, for me, eating onions is better option than laxatives. For others, sugar free gummi bears or taco bell may be a remedy for constipation.

[rydaddy]

Have you heard about the new movie "Constipation"?

No?




Well, that's because it hasn''t come out yet...

[Master_Therion]

1:41 "Stimulant laxatives." I guess the opposite would be Relax-atives.

[Alvarin_IL]

I remember reading Amazon review of sugar free gummy bears... It was horrible and hilarious simultaneously.

[solvablesea]

I wish EVERY medical presentation was fun and uplifting like this.

[pieceaisa]

thought i would learn something new while fighting for my life on the toilet.

being constipated is genuinely one of the MOST uncomfortable feelings ever.

[sleeptyper]

Pack of sugarfree mints and a can of beer - voila, you're the king of the porcelain throne for the entire evening.

[ProfessorSyndicateFranklai]

Fun fact, the US once snuck powerful laxitives into german submarine crew supplies during WWII.

[darrenupton]

Ive just managed to off load after three days. Im jumping for joy. My mum says back in the day they used to put a small piece of soap up the old poop chute. It worked a treat!

[_chpset]

Olivia: Everyone poops!
Me: I'm pooping right now!

[gabby]

OMG I just took ONE laxative and I think I’m dying. My stomach hurts sooo much

[NomadUniverse]

Ever done a number 4? That's when you and a friend number 2 while holding hands.

[FrickenZ]

The Queen has never taken a dump. . . Im on a 17 day no dump streak.

[Mooshoo]

I know I’m five years late but, im currently 27 years old (fairly young). Up until my senior I was a very healthy guy, ate and pooped normally. One day my appendix burst but I thought I was just constipated but the stomach pain hurt like nothing I’ve ever felt before (feels like a fire in your stomach and you can’t poop) so I had to get surgery and a few months later I developed abdominal adhesions (your intestines basically stick together blocking your bowels) boom got another surgery for that. so now Pooping is like a luxury for me! Brands like the ducolax pills and ducolax mint flavored liquid and fleet saline enemas are a life savor! For anyone suffering from chronic constipation trust me the brands I just listed works wonders! Hopefully this helps someone in need.

[Pie]

Watching this after having laxatives and sitting on the toilet feeling relief 😅

[DavidStalvey]

Could you go through how your body works after you have your gall bladder is removed?