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Aug 163 min read

Why you poop in book stores


Have you ever felt the sudden urge to visit the restroom while browsing the shelves of a bookstore or library? If so, you're not alone. This strange feeling has puzzled both medical experts and book lovers for years, leading to questions about what causes this unexpected urge.

The Mariko Aoki Phenomenon: An Overview

The Mariko Aoki phenomenon, known as 青木まりこ現象 (Aoki Mariko genshō) in Japanese, describes the sudden need to poop that some people feel when they enter bookstores. This unusual phenomenon is named after Mariko Aoki, who first talked about her experience in a 1985 article in "Hon no Zasshi" (Book Magazine).

Origin and Recognition

Mariko Aoki shared how visiting bookstores made her urgently need to use the restroom. Her story resonated with many readers, who sent similar stories to the magazine. As a result, the editors called it the "Mariko Aoki phenomenon."

The urge to poop is growing. Image credit: Leaf of knowledge/Wikimedia Commons (CC by 4.0)


Book Bowels

This phenomenon is recognized outside Japan too. In an interview with Men's Health magazine, a gastroenterologist from Texas referred to it as "book bowels."




Pavloe's Dog

One idea to explain this phenomenon is Pavlovian conditioning: If someone is used to reading on the toilet, entering a bookstore might subconsciously make their body think it's time to go, similar to how Pavlov's dogs salivated when they heard a bell.


Nurse Susan Wong and Dr. Sameer Islam


Understanding the Gastrocolic Reflex

The gastrocolic reflex is a natural response where eating or drinking triggers contractions in the colon, causing the urge to have a bowel movement. This reflex is well-known in medical literature and often happens after meals.


The Role of Environment and Behavior

Nurse Susan Wong, an expert in pelvic floor problems, and Dr. Sameer Islam, a gastroenterologist, suggest several factors might contribute:


  1. Sitting Posture: When you sit down to read in a relaxed place like a bookstore or library, your body position can promote the gastrocolic reflex, stimulating the digestive system.

  2. Psychological Factors: The environment of a bookstore, filled with shelves of books and intellectual stimulation, might create a sense of nervous tension, which could amplify the reflex.

  3. Drinking Beverages: Enjoying tea or coffee while reading can increase the likelihood of experiencing the gastrocolic reflex, as these drinks stimulate the digestive system.


Nomura Masato

Nomura Masato, a professor at Kindai University in Osaka, suggests that the relaxing environment of bookstores might stimulate bowel movements. He also thinks the scent of books could trigger this response.

Nomura has even developed a fragrance spray that smells like bookstores, which he believes could act as a laxative.


Impact

The Mariko Aoki phenomenon is not well-documented, but small surveys suggest it affects a notable minority of people. For example, a survey of working women aged 22-33 found that 26.7% experienced this urge in bookstores. It seems to be more common among women, and certain groups like authors and publishers report higher rates.


Tokyo Shimbun Story

A 2012 survey by a bookseller association, reported by Tokyo Shimbun, asked customers what services they wanted in bookstores. About 38% of respondents wanted access to restrooms, ranking it as the third most desired service after loyalty cards (68%) and discounts (51%).



Conclusion

While these ideas and observations are interesting, they are not proven facts. There is no solid scientific evidence to fully explain the Mariko Aoki phenomenon, and more research is needed to understand its causes.

References


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