From Gut to Brain: Why Nothing Is Too Embarrassing for Your Poop Positive Central Indiana Direct Primary Care Team

In our modern culture, we’ve been conditioned to view certain bodily functions as shameful or impolite for public discussion. However, as we dive deeper into the the latest research from experts like Harvard’s Dr. Trisha Pasricha, it becomes clear that this poop shame is one of the greatest barriers to long-term health. It is time to give our digestive health the moment it deserves and understand the biological mechanics that drive our well-being.

Poop Mechanics: Are You Fighting Your Own Anatomy?

What many people in Hamilton County don’t realize is that the modern toilet is essentially a 90-degree chair. It’s a relatively new invention to humans that actually works against our physiology. For tens of thousands of years, the human body evolved to utilize a deep squat for pooping.

The reason this matters is a muscle called the puborectalis. This muscle loops around the colon like a sling, pulling it forward to create a kink that keeps the tube shut. This is helpful when you are standing or sitting at a desk, but when it’s time to go, that kink needs to be straightened. Sitting at a 90-degree angle keeps that muscle tight. By simply raising your knees above your waist while pooping, using a stool or even a stack of books, you mimic a natural squat, relax the muscle and allow for an effortless exit.

The Smartphone Tax is Hemorrhoids

Researchers have observed a significant uptick in certain GI issues, and a major culprit is sitting right in our pockets. Dr. Pasricha and her team recently observed that bringing a smartphone into the bathroom leads to a 46% increased risk of developing hemorrhoids. It isn’t the phone itself that causes the damage; it’s the distraction. When we scroll through the Indianapolis area news or social media, we stay on the open bowl for far longer than necessary. This prolonged sitting without pelvic floor support causes the veins in that area to fill and become engorged, leading to chronic discomfort.

The Reading Rainbow of Poop: Vital Health Signals

Your poop color is one of the most immediate diagnostic reports your body provides. Maybe that’s why we all tend to enjoy a look at it before we flush it away to the White River. While the standard brown color comes from bilirubin, a digestive juice, other shades are critical red flags:

• White or Pale: This is a medical emergency. It suggests a blockage in the bile duct, potentially a gallstone or a growth, preventing necessary digestive juices from reaching the gut. If you see this, call 911.

• Black and Tarry: This is a sign that blood has mixed with stomach acid and requires an immediate clinical evaluation.

• Red or Maroon: Unless you have recently eaten beets, which can famously mimic blood in the toilet, any red or maroon coloring should be discussed with your healthcare provider immediately.

The Gut-Brain-Mood Connection

We often speak about anxiety and depression as being all in our heads, but the frontier of neurogastroenterology shows that the gut and brain are in a 24/7 conversation.

While we’ve known for a century that stress can cause stomach issues, the fascinating discovery is that 90% of the signaling in the vagus nerve actually goes from the gut UP to the brain. This means that inflammation or imbalances in your digestive system can be the primary driver of distress signals to your brain, manifesting as anxiety or low mood. Your mental health is inextricably linked to your digestive health.

The Parkinson’s Frontier

This gut-brain link may even hold the key to early detection for neurological conditions. For a subset of patients, Parkinson’s Disease may actually start in the gut rather than the brain. GI symptoms like constipation often appear decades before tremors begin. Research into misfolded proteins, alpha-synuclein, suggests they may travel from the gut up the vagus nerve to the brain over many years, potentially offering a window for life-changing early intervention. 

The Rise of Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer-related death in adults under 50. The data points toward environmental and dietary changes as the primary drivers:

• Adolescent Habits: Studies link high consumption of sugary sodas during teenage years to rising early-onset cases.

• The Fiber Gap: 95% of Americans are not meeting their fiber goals. Fiber is the essential fuel for your microbiome. When gut bacteria ferment fiber, they produce anti-inflammatory compounds that protect your heart, brain and gut lining.

Your Farts Like Good Posture and Brisk Walks

If you struggle with bloating after your delicious meal in Midtown, Carmel, the worst thing you can do is lie down on the couch. Simply sitting up straight helps intestinal gas move 33% more efficiently. For even better results, researchers recommend a 5-to-10-minute walk after eating. This brisk movement helps move contents through your system and aids in blood sugar regulation. Go walk the Monon Trail or the Nickel Plate Trail this evening and let it all out.

Why Your New Poop Knowledge Changes Your Primary Care

In a traditional, high-volume medical environment, there is rarely time to discuss the nuances of your puborectalis muscle or your adolescent dietary history. At our Cool Creek Family Health, our Direct Primary Care, we believe these conversations are an important part the foundation of your longevity.

We want to foster a poop positive environment where you feel empowered to share these details before they become a crisis. Whether you are navigating chronic bloating, managing a family history of GI issues or looking to optimize your gut microbiome, Farah Myers, FNP, DipACLM and Keyla Matthews, FNP are here to give you the time and evidence-based guidance you deserve.

Ready to prioritize your health from the inside out? Reach out today for a complimentary meet and greet.

Sources & Further Reading:

• Lichtman, Flora (Host). (2026, April 1). You’ve Been Pooping All Wrong [Audio podcast episode]. In Science Friday. WNYC Studios.

• Pasricha, Dr. Trisha (2026). You’ve Been Pooping All Wrong: How to Make Your Bowel Movements a Joy.