# Home faecal transplants - is this a thing now? (TMI, NSFW, BYOB) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 1, 2014, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-faecal-transplants-is-this-a-thing-now-tmi-nsfw-byob/682587 "2014-03-01T13:08:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2014, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-faecal-transplants-is-this-a-thing-now-tmi-nsfw-byob/682587/1 "2014-03-01T13:08:32Z")
Apologies in advance as this is a disgusting one. Inspired by [this](http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg22129582.800-healing-by-faeces-rise-of-the-diy-gutbug-swap.html) New Scientist article: “This means people are doing their own transplants at home, using little more than stools from a relative, a blender and an enema kit…People are making this in their basement,” says Smith." _What?!_ A few questions immediately drop from the colon of imagination into the waiting pan of potential answers - 1. Is this what I think it is - shoving someone else’s poop up your own back passage? Surely there’s got to be a better way to treat…whatever people think this treats. 2. Why, dear God, why? Does it have a medical benefit or is it woo (or rhymes with woo)? Apparently it isn’t even regulated in the UK. 3. How popular is it and what are the risks? The obvious ones I can think of is a nasty infection and losing all your friends when you explain why that funny smell is coming from your basement. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2014, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-faecal-transplants-is-this-a-thing-now-tmi-nsfw-byob/682587/2 "2014-03-01T13:34:45Z")
The first paragraph of that article notes that it’s done for certain indications as an actual medical procedure (and that’s clarified at the start of the third paragraph). I’ve definitely heard of it being done as a legitimate medical practice before, and it looks like [C. diff infection is the primary one](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fecal_transplant), as well as irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, and others. That being said, oh my GOD I would not do that as a home procedure. I mean, how do you know the person you’re getting the transplant from really has a healthy set of gut flora? And how do you know how much to transfuse, and how to “mix” it properly, and…? Oh, and I’d expect that similar to other enema-type procedures, the person sits on the toilet. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2014, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-faecal-transplants-is-this-a-thing-now-tmi-nsfw-byob/682587/3 "2014-03-01T13:39:40Z")
Stool might be the next big thing, Stool sample sausage (Yes it is what you think it is): > **[Stool sample sausage: Poop probiotics might make meat healthier](https://www.cnet.com/culture/stool-sample-sausage-poop-probiotics-might-make-meat-healthier/)** > > Food researchers use bacteria found in baby feces to create a sausage with probiotic benefits. They even say it tastes "very good." ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2014, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-faecal-transplants-is-this-a-thing-now-tmi-nsfw-byob/682587/4 "2014-03-01T15:09:55Z")
in people with Clostridium difficile that isn’t resolved by other methods it can be the best and only successful treatment. ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2014, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-faecal-transplants-is-this-a-thing-now-tmi-nsfw-byob/682587/5 "2014-03-01T15:33:18Z")
I know someone for whom fecal transplant was a successful treatment for C. diff. She will tell you all about it, too. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2014, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-faecal-transplants-is-this-a-thing-now-tmi-nsfw-byob/682587/6 "2014-03-01T16:27:46Z")
The problem here is that you have know-it-all amateurs thinking they’re the equal or better of people with actual medical degrees. You just know this will end in tears sooner or later. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2014, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-faecal-transplants-is-this-a-thing-now-tmi-nsfw-byob/682587/7 "2014-03-01T17:31:24Z")
Did anyone but me read the title as “facial” transplants? ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2014, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-faecal-transplants-is-this-a-thing-now-tmi-nsfw-byob/682587/8 "2014-03-01T17:43:05Z")
Yes, much like maggots and leeches, I’d prefer my therapeutic feces come from a clean lab which has grown and/or harvested the therapeutic material for that express purpose. Call me crazy, and sure, backyard maggots are probably just as good as lab raised maggots, but no fucking way are you going to DIY that on me. (Also, medically supervised fecal transplants aren’t done from the bottom up, but from the top down, as I understand it. The small intestine can’t be accessed from the ass.) ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2014, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-faecal-transplants-is-this-a-thing-now-tmi-nsfw-byob/682587/9 "2014-03-01T17:49:26Z")
OP: nice hed. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2014, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-faecal-transplants-is-this-a-thing-now-tmi-nsfw-byob/682587/10 "2014-03-01T17:50:37Z")
both ends can be used for intake. ---
**Author:** ![Foggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foggy/32/1082_2.png) [@Foggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foggy)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2014, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-faecal-transplants-is-this-a-thing-now-tmi-nsfw-byob/682587/11 "2014-03-01T18:14:19Z")
:Here’s the blender! What’s it doing in the basement? Anyway, who wants a smoothie?: 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2014, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-faecal-transplants-is-this-a-thing-now-tmi-nsfw-byob/682587/12 "2014-03-01T18:45:06Z")
> [@GaryM](#): > > Did anyone but me read the title as “facial” transplants? I wouldn’t do that at home either. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2014, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-faecal-transplants-is-this-a-thing-now-tmi-nsfw-byob/682587/13 "2014-03-01T20:23:37Z")
> [@GaryM](#): > > Did anyone but me read the title as “facial” transplants? I know you’re kidding, but there is actually such a thing as [face transplants](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Face_transplant). > [@WhyNot](#): > > (Also, medically supervised fecal transplants aren’t done from the bottom up, but from the top down, as I understand it. The small intestine can’t be accessed from the ass.) :eek: (Please, please tell me that doesn’t mean what I think it means) ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2014, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-faecal-transplants-is-this-a-thing-now-tmi-nsfw-byob/682587/14 "2014-03-01T20:26:04Z")
the nose knows. if someone would then say that you’re a shithead it would be true. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2014, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-faecal-transplants-is-this-a-thing-now-tmi-nsfw-byob/682587/15 "2014-03-01T20:29:48Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > :eek: (Please, please tell me that doesn’t mean what I think it means) It does, sort of - a tube is inserted down the esophagus and through the stomach and any other plumbing it needs to go through so the transplanted “material” goes directly where it is needed without bothering anything between outside and destination - no odors, no bad tastes, minimal squick. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2014, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-faecal-transplants-is-this-a-thing-now-tmi-nsfw-byob/682587/16 "2014-03-01T21:19:46Z")
I’ve heard of fecal implant therapy but don’t think I’ve ever worked at a place that did it. As for doing it at home, it sounds like it’s as much in the “woo” territory as urine therapy. You probably don’t want to know what that entails either. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2014, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-faecal-transplants-is-this-a-thing-now-tmi-nsfw-byob/682587/17 "2014-03-01T21:27:47Z")
Not with my blender! ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2014, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-faecal-transplants-is-this-a-thing-now-tmi-nsfw-byob/682587/18 "2014-03-01T22:16:33Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Stool sample sausage (Yes it is what you think it is): > [CNET: Product reviews, advice, how-tos and the latest news](http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-57619709-1/stool-sample-sausage-poop-probiotics-might-make-meat-healthier/) Dammit **kanic** , I was just cooking up some nice steak fajitas for lunch! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2014, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-faecal-transplants-is-this-a-thing-now-tmi-nsfw-byob/682587/19 "2014-03-01T23:38:05Z")
> [@Foggy](#): > > :Here’s the blender! What’s it doing in the basement? Anyway, who wants a smoothie?: 😃 This smoothie [smells like shit!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxD2VmZiLJ0) > [@johnpost](#): > > in people with Clostridium difficile that isn’t resolved by other methods it can be the best and only successful treatment. What I don’t get is that if it’s all to do with the gut flora is why you need the actual…poop rather than just a culture of the bacteria which would seem just easier all round. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Mondegreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/91b2a8/32.png) [@Lord\_Mondegreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Mondegreen)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2014, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-faecal-transplants-is-this-a-thing-now-tmi-nsfw-byob/682587/20 "2014-03-02T00:39:19Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > You just know this will end in tears sooner or later. I’m hoping the word “tears” in this context relates to the liquid produced by the eyes when crying, and not to lacerations. :eek: [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-faecal-transplants-is-this-a-thing-now-tmi-nsfw-byob/682587.md?page=2)