We all savour those rare poos that leave us feeling energized, like we just awoke from a great nap. Some lucky souls even report feelings of ecstasy following the Poophoria. The distention of the rectum that occurs with the passing of a large mass of stool causes the vagus nerve to fire. The net effect of this is a drop in your heart rate and blood pressure, which in turn decreases blood flow to the brain. When mild, the lightheadedness can lend a sense of sublime relaxation — a “high.”
Excerpted from What’s Your Poo Telling You by Josh Richman and Anish Seth, M.D.