It is an inconvenient fact, but often when you are out running errands you have to go No. 2 while in the store. Turns out there is a scientific explanation for this common phenomenon. It’s not just you having to poop while out.
The technical name for this is called the Mariko Aoki phenomenon. Dr. Joseph Salhab, a medical professional who shares his knowledge on social media, recently went viral for explaining this. Over 21 million people on Instagram and around 6 million people on TikTok have seen these informative posts.
Dr. Salhab only recently found out about this himself. He discovered this when his patients told him they often had to go to the bathroom when at a bookstore. He explained this could be because of the smell of the coffee, the relaxing atmosphere, or even the stress of being out and about.
Being a man of science, Dr. Salhab researched more. He discovered that some people actually go to specific stores to be able to poop. They call them “poop stores.”
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Dr. Salhab has been practicing medicine for 13 years and is double board-certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology.
"In several of my past videos, I've shared advice with my followers on how to better regulate their bowel habits. When I came across comments about people feeling the urge to have a bowel movement as soon as they entered certain stores, I wasn't completely surprised. My experience with patients has shown me that there's a wide range of differences in bowel habits," he explained to Buzzfeed.
Dr. Salhab went on to explain the Mariko Aoki phenomenon. The term was created in 1985 by the Japanese media to explain why people got the sudden urge to poop in bookstores. "It seems that when people enter certain stores, they encounter a spectrum of emotions, and this array of emotions can sometimes lead to a sudden need to use the bathroom,” Dr. Salhab said. “Each person might react differently to the sights, smells, or overall vibe of a store, which could explain why they suddenly feel like they have to go."
Dr. Salhab finds this fascinating. He hopes more research will be done to understand this. "It's interesting to note the duality in the feelings it represents," he mused. "For some, the calm and serene environment of places like bookstores can create a relaxing feeling, making it easier for them to feel the need to use the restroom."
Other people get stressed out while shopping so this also causes one to feel the need to go. "It can trigger others into needing to have a bowel movement. It's a curious example of how our surroundings can affect our bodies in unexpected ways," he concluded.
*Disclaimer: The advice on LittleThings.com is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health-care provider with questions and concerns.
