Hello, I'm Dr. Emily Carter, a board-certified gastroenterologist with over 15 years of experience in the field of digestive health. I've treated a wide range of gastrointestinal issues and I'm here to address the rather unpleasant topic of consuming one's own feces.

Let's be clear: **eating feces is not normal and can be extremely harmful**. While it might seem like a taboo subject, it's important to address because it can be a sign of underlying medical or psychological conditions.

Our bodies are designed to expel waste, and feces are the byproduct of digestion. They contain a mixture of undigested food, bacteria, dead cells, and other substances that our bodies need to eliminate. Ingesting feces reintroduces these harmful substances back into the system, potentially leading to a host of problems.

**Here's a breakdown of the risks associated with eating feces:**

1. Exposure to harmful bacteria: Feces are teeming with bacteria, including harmful strains like *E. coli*, *Salmonella*, and *Campylobacter*. These bacteria can cause a range of illnesses, from mild food poisoning to severe infections like gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and fever. In severe cases, these infections can even be life-threatening, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems.

2. Parasitic infections: Feces can harbor parasites like roundworms, hookworms, and pinworms. These parasites can take up residence in the intestines, leading to a range of symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue. Some parasites can even migrate to other organs, causing more serious complications.

3. Viral infections: Hepatitis A and rotavirus are just two examples of viruses that can be transmitted through fecal matter. These viruses can cause liver inflammation, severe diarrhea, dehydration, and other complications.

**4. Reinfection and antibiotic resistance:** Consuming feces can reintroduce harmful bacteria and parasites back into the system, leading to a vicious cycle of infection. This constant exposure to bacteria can also contribute to antibiotic resistance, making infections harder to treat in the future.

5. Psychological impact: The act of eating feces, known as coprophagia, can be a sign of underlying mental health conditions like pica (an eating disorder characterized by craving non-food items), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or schizophrenia. It's crucial to seek professional help if you or someone you know is engaging in this behavior.

6. Social and hygiene implications: Coprophagia is generally considered socially unacceptable and can lead to significant distress and isolation. Additionally, the act itself poses significant hygiene risks, further increasing the chances of infections.

In conclusion: Eating feces is an extremely risky behavior with potentially serious consequences. If you are experiencing this yourself or are concerned about someone else, please seek immediate medical and psychological evaluation. Addressing the underlying causes, whether medical, psychological, or both, is essential for preventing further harm and ensuring overall well-being.

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That said, those are the same bacteria that live in your gut and play many healthy roles in your body, so coprophagy [Ed.: this means "eating poop," write it down] is not necessarily unhealthy unless the poop originates from an unhealthy individual. ... Drinking your own urine and eating your own poop is perfectly safe.read more >>