We all know TikTok is the Wild West when it comes to insane health hacks. But when we got word about something called the “7 second poop method” going viral, we knew it was time for DUDE HQ to investigate.
At least 14% of American adults deal with constipation, meaning they take fewer than three dumps per week. Considering that being plugged up leads to bloating, cramping, and horrific-smelling farts, it checks out that people would want to get relief in the time it takes to pour a beer.
But upon further research and several tests, it appears that the lady behind this colon-clearing maneuver is almost certainly full of sh*t—literally and figuratively. In this article, you’ll learn what the 7 second poop method is, whether it works, and what people are saying online.
What Is the 7 Second Poop Method?
The “7 second poop method” is a viral constipation relief hack that was popularized by Dr. Gina Sam in a TikTok video. To relieve constipation, all you have to (allegedly) do is make two fists and rub them together, thumb to thumb.
“Just do this a couple of minutes, couple times a day, or while sitting on the toilet and you’ll have a bowel movement,” she says. “So easy.”
The theory behind the 7 second poop method is that the movement stimulates acupressure points that make your colon muscles contract, thereby giving you the urge to drop a deuce. There’s absolutely zero evidence that rubbing your thumbs together will suddenly unclog your poop chute.
And yet, some people swear by it.
Does the 7 Second Poop Trick Work?
We wanted to see if Dr. Sam’s 7 second poop trick really worked, so we went to the bathroom here at DUDE HQ and triedit for ourselves. We were hoping for a blowout, but after two straight minutes of rubbing our thumbs as instructed, we were still firing blanks.
Granted, we understand the success rate of the 7 second poop method may not be 100%. So in search of more data, we headed into the comment section on Dr. Sam’s original TikTok, which is a battlefield of anecdotal evidence.
“I just did it and swear I immediately farted.”
“I’m on the toilet and it’s not working.”
“I’ve been constipated for 3 days and went in just 2 minutes after doing this.”
“I’ve been doing this for an hour—when is it supposed to work?”
As you can see, the TikTok community is divided. But what do doctors have to say about the 7 second poop method?
“There is an appeal in quick and fun maneuvers to relieve symptoms,” says Dr. Claudia Sanmiguel, a gastroenterologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA. “However, there is not much knowledge or data that could support the efficacy of this maneuver in relieving constipation. It is possible but unlikely that rubbing your hands together in this way may produce a prolonged and reliable relief in patients with constipation.”
Heather Finley, a registered dietitian, adds, "Using quick fixes might work temporarily, but the only way to find lasting relief is by addressing the root of the problem."
5 Doctor-Approved Tips to Relieve Constipation
If you made it this far, we’ll assume the 7 second poop method didn’t cure your constipation. Rather than scrolling through TikTok to find solutions for your clogged colon, we have 5 science-backed tips to try when the fudge shuttle is running late.
1. Squat, Don’t Sit
Sitting is the default position for pooping—but it’s not optimal. To get your poop moving efficiently through your colon, you need to get into a squat position. It’s dangerous to perch yourself over the toilet bowl, but you can replicate the position by propping your feet up with a stool.
2. Get Some Exercise
Sitting around all day creates the perfect storm for constipation. If you want to move your bowels, you have to move your body. You don’t need to run a marathon to get results. Just go for a light walk or use the stairs instead of the elevator.
3. Try a Laxative
Over-the-counter laxatives and stool softeners can be super effective when you need to kickstart your colon. Just don’t plan on making them a part of your daily routine, because they can wreak serious havoc on your digestive system.
4. Increase Your Fiber Intake
Dietary fiber softens your poop, making it easier to pass through your b-hole. The average DUDE should eat 25-30 grams of fiber per day, but most Americans only get half of that. No wonder everyone’s plugged up.
Here’s your high-fiber food cheatsheet:
- Whole grains
- Chia seeds
- Apples
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Beans
- Lentils
5. Stay Hydrated
When you’re dehydrated, your dumps get dried out. Accordingly, it feels like you squeezing a cinder block out of your butt. Make sure you’re downing at least 15 cups of water every day—and more if you work out.
DUDE Wipes: The 7 Second Poop Cleanup Trick
You might not be able to make yourself poop in 7 seconds. But you can definitely eliminate any evidence of poop from your nether regions in 7 seconds with a DUDE Wipe. Our extra-large wipes are designed for extra-large dumps, so you never have to worry about dingleberries or skidmarks again.
We wanted to do our own demonstration on TikTok, but our lawyers said we’d get banned.
