Vagus Nerve And Poo-Phoria

Poo-phoria occurs when a bowel movement stimulates the vagus nerve, which runs from the brain stem down to the colon. A particularly large mass of stool can stretch the rectum enough to fire this nerve intensely. That stimulation briefly slows heart rate and lowers blood pressure, which some people experience as a wave of exhilaration and intense relaxation. The result can be a strange mix of relief, light goosebumps, and a pleasantly spaced-out feeling as the vagus nerve response peaks and then fades.

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