vibrating pill

WTF Fun Fact 13410 – Vibrating Constipation Pill

Who could imagine a future where a vibrating constipation pill could bring on intestinal freedom? Well, here we are.

Jolt your body into action

Constipation. It’s a bummer. Literally. Over 16% of adults worldwide are held captive by its relentless grip, but help could be on the way. Enter the miraculous, yet slightly odd, vibrating pill.

This ground-breaking innovation is brought to you by Vibrant Ltd. They’ve crafted the quirky solution that buzzes its way through your digestive system, essentially shaking things up in there. The aim? To jolt the bowels into action and bring sweet relief to constipation sufferers.

How the vibrating constipation pill works

Packed with miniature mechanics, the vibrating pill buzzes away like a tiny, digestible jackhammer. It’s like a Zumba class for your intestines, really! Vibrations are known to stimulate muscle contraction and that’s precisely what this pill is designed to do – inspire your gut to get moving.

Imagine the possibilities. No more dreaded laxatives with their notoriously unpleasant side effects, replaced instead by a mellow hum lulling your stubborn intestines into action.

The science underpinning this futuristic fix involves the concept of mechanosensation. Our bodies are finely tuned machines, responding to physical forces like pressure and vibration. The idea behind the vibrating pill is to leverage these natural physiological responses to gently coax the bowels into doing their job.

The research

But what do the trials say? According to WebMD (cited below), early results are promising. In a study involving over 200 constipation sufferers, almost half of those who took the vibrating pill saw an improvement in their symptoms. Contrast that with the 12% in the placebo group, and it appears that we have a winner.

Importantly, the pill’s effects seem to persist even after treatment has ended. That’s right – this tiny buzzing wonder may offer long-lasting relief, an exciting prospect for those grappling with chronic constipation.

Still, as with all innovative health technologies, there are hurdles to overcome. The pill must pass rigorous safety and efficacy tests before it gets the green light for general use. Not to mention, the idea of swallowing a vibrating object might need some getting used to for some!

While the vibrating pill may sound like science fiction, it exemplifies the exciting juncture of tech and health. In a world where nanobots and bioelectronics are increasingly becoming part of medical discourse, the vibrating pill represents an ingenious way to tackle an age-old problem.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “Vibrating Pill Can Help Treat Constipation” — WebMD

WTF Fun Fact 13237 – A Vibrating Pill for Constipation

Constipation is common, but one company has come up with an uncommon solution for it – a vibrating pill for constipation. The pill is called Vibrant.

Vibrant – the vibrating pill for constipation

Don’t like the thought of taking pharmaceuticals for your constipation? No worries – there are no active ingredients in this little pill.

The vibrating pill is designed to stimulate the muscles in the digestive tract to help move stool through the intestines, promoting regular bowel movements and relieving constipation symptoms. The product is marketed by Vibrant Gastro and the information is available on their press releases and news section of their website.

According to HealthNews (cited below), the pill was announced on February 8, 2022. It was cleared by the FDA (which is different from approval, which means the pill is similar to an already-marketed device.

How does it work?

According to Vibrant’s press release:

“The idea behind the treatment is that a single vibrant pill is taken around bedtime every day. It then travels the same route as food does, through the stomach and small intestine, finally reaching the large intestine about 14 hours later. Then, it goes to work.

The pills stimulate specialized nerve cells in the gut called mechanosensory cells. These help trigger peristalsis, the undulating muscle contractions that help squeeze food through the gut.“

The vibrations run for three seconds, then stop for three seconds. Before swallowing the pill, it must be activated in a small pod. The pill is then active for two hours, then off for six hours before activating again for two hours.

The idea is that you will eventually poop them out and they will clean out and loosen stool along the way. They are not considered a cure, but a maintenance treatment that people with constipation would take regularly. Each pill gets flushed, so treatment requires a new pill each time (thankfully!).

Constipation is generally defined as having fewer than three bowel movements in a week and affects 10 to 20% of Americans.

In the clinical trial, only a small number of participants could feel the pill vibrating. 40% of those taking Vibrant reported having at least one extra bowel movement a week and felt they were able to more completely empty their bowels. Only 23% of those in the placebo group reported an extra bowel movement.

23% of the participants given Vibrant reported two or more additional bowel movements a week.

That’s progress! — WTF fun facts

Source: “Drug-Free Vibrating Pill for Constipation Now Available by Prescription” — HealthNews