Posted on Sep 1, 2021

This Is Why You've Probably Experienced The Sudden Need To Poop In A Bookstore

Ladies and gentlemen, the Mariko Aoki phenomenon.

BuzzFeed Staff Writer

Have you ever walked into a bookstore and had the sudden urge to poop?

@arisukira
I’m so glad there’s an explained phenomenon for this 😭 #fyp #marikoaoki #marikoaokieffect #barnesandnoble #funny #viral #asian #greenscreen
♬ original sound - swamp.son

💩💩💩

so many people experienced this there has to be a reason

To get to the bottom (heh heh) of this, we spoke to Nurse Susan Wong from Butt Talks TV, who has over 20 years of experience in pelvic floor problems and has helped patients diagnosed with conditions that affect the anus and rectum.

@samwritesalot
PLEAse tell me it’s not just me #booktok #authortok #writersoftiktok #barnesandnoble #bookstore #GoForTheHandful
♬ original sound - Sincere

"In the colorectal world — where I spent most of my time at the University of California, San Francisco — it could be related to the person finally 'slowing down,'" Nurse Wong told BuzzFeed. "For instance, sitting to read a book, or perhaps the sitting position on the chair. This could stimulate someone to feel as if they needed to defecate. The calming environment probably was helpful too. Along with the possibility of having some other triggers — like having a cup of tea or coffee before going into the bookstore or during her visit to the bookstore."

@butttalkstv
#stitch with @anna.dalyy caffeine + Exercise = poop better #poop #pooptok #butttalks #butttalkstv #caffeinated #tjmaxx #exercise #constipation #bt #gi
♬ Bongo cha-cha-cha - Remastered - Caterina Valente

Nurse Wong also agreed with Dr. Sameer's finding in the Men's Health article about this same phenomenon. In it, Dr. Sameer Islam, MD, a Texas-based gastroenterologist, stated, "In a library or bookstore specifically, what's likely happening is the effect arises from feelings of nervous tension in the face of all the information represented on the bookshelves. This has more scientific support and evidence, at least. But we really have no idea."

do i have to poop or is it just barnes and noble

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This Is Why You've Probably Experienced The Sudden Need To Poop In A Bookstore

Have you ever walked into a bookstore and had the sudden urge to poop?

If you have, you aren't alone. I promise.

There's a name for this very common occurrence: the Mariko Aoki phenomenon. The name comes from a woman who mentioned it in a magazine article in 1985, but it quickly spiked into a TikTok trend, when many users raced to the comments to say, "WAIT. ME TOO." And also, "why???"

To get to the bottom (heh heh) of this, we spoke to Nurse Susan Wong from Butt Talks TV, who has over 20 years of experience in pelvic floor problems and has helped patients diagnosed with conditions that affect the anus and rectum.

TL;DR: Slowing down or the way you sit to read a book might stimulate this common gastrocolic reflex. The more you know!

This Is Why You've Probably Experienced The Sudden Need To Poop In A Bookstore

Have you ever walked into a bookstore and had the sudden urge to poop?

If you have, you aren't alone. I promise.

There's a name for this very common occurrence: the Mariko Aoki phenomenon. The name comes from a woman who mentioned it in a magazine article in 1985, but it quickly spiked into a TikTok trend, when many users raced to the comments to say, "WAIT. ME TOO." And also, "why???"

To get to the bottom (heh heh) of this, we spoke to Nurse Susan Wong from Butt Talks TV, who has over 20 years of experience in pelvic floor problems and has helped patients diagnosed with conditions that affect the anus and rectum.

TL;DR: Slowing down or the way you sit to read a book might stimulate this common gastrocolic reflex. The more you know!

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